Timothy Lees, Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, enjoys an exciting and eclectic career as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. Since his arrival in Cincinnati as Concertmaster in 1998, he has also been appointed as a member of the violin faculty of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). A member of the Sarasota Festival faculty since 2004, Timothy has also been a faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he performed as Concertmaster of both the Aspen Chamber Symphony and the Aspen Festival Orchestra.
From Bach to Bartok, Timothy’s flexibility and command of the solo violin repertoire is evident through his numerous solo appearances with the Cincinnati Symphony as well as on many other stages throughout North America. As a recitalist, he has been featured in solo recitals in cities throughout the United States and at festivals including Sarasota, Spoleto, Sebago-Long Lake, Mainly Mozart festivals, among others.
An avid and highly sought-after chamber musician, Timothy frequently collaborates with prominent artists including Jaime Laredo, Joseph Silverstein, Yefim Bronfman, Ida Kavafian, and Peter Wiley, and has appeared as guest artist with the St. Lawrence and Jupiter string quartets. He is featured regularly in chamber music series including the Linton Music Series, CCM Faculty Artist Series, Oberlin Conservatory Series, and Concert Nova, as well as the Aspen Music Festival Faculty Artists Series and the Spoleto Festival Series. He has recorded on the Telarc, Bridge Records, and Fanfare Cincinnati labels.
A native of Philadelphia, Timothy received the coveted Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Charles Castleman. Prior to his arrival in Cincinnati, he served as Concertmaster of the Spoleto Festival, the Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and the Charleston symphony orchestras. Timothy performs on a J. B. Vuillaume violin, c. 1845, and has performed at the SLLMF since 1999.
[2019]