With his long, flowing hair and energetic rock ‘n’ roll playing style, Portland violinist Aaron Meyer is anything but traditional.
His music qualifies for the Grammy category of “classical crossover,†a melange of classical elements, pop, rock and world music. He’s not the first violinist to defect from the classical camp, but he is one of the most successful, and prolific.
He brings his energetic rock violin music to Port Orchard Nov. 9 and 10 for two performances, as well as several programs in south Kitsap schools.
Meyer’s first CD, “Near the Edge,†is based on music he composed for the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production, “Dance Near the Edge†in 2001.
That same year he performed a new work for Tibetan Buddhist leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, on his rare visit to Portland. At the end of that year he released his second CD, “A Winter’s Dance,†in conjunction with his annual holiday concert show.
“Iniziare,†a show he premiered in 2002 at Portland’s Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom was almost “Lord of the Dance†in scale, featuring Meyer, his guitar-playing musical partner Bill Lamb and a 10-piece band.
He has played on numerous rock albums, including for the platinum-selling Everclear, as well as other bill-paying gigs such as Microsoft commercials, PBS documentaries and an Oregon Public Broadcasting radio series on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Meyer’s music career began at the tender age of 5, with lessons from his father. The youngster showed so much talent that by age 11 he made his debut as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Meyer is not only a tireless performer, he also dedicates much of his time to a program he started called Classroom Music Project, in which the musician visits schools to present programs and workshops designed to show students how classical and contemporary music can work together. He offers three different programs: an all-school assembly, an Artist-In-Residence recording and technology program and master classes and workshops.
He will be busy in the week leading up to his weekend concerts, with workshops and presentations scheduled at 13 South Kitsap School District schools from Monday through Thursday.
The week culminates with a concert 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Marcus Whitman Junior High Commons, 1887 Madrona Dr., Port Orchard. Nine-year-old violinist Jocelyn Frank will open the show.
Tickets at the door are $10 adults, $8 students and seniors. All proceeds from the show go to the SKSD music and arts programs.
Meyer performs a second benefit concert 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Adventures of Faith Church, corner of Jackson and Sedgwick, Port Orchard.
Tickets are $10 adults and $8 students and seniors, available at the church at (360) 876-0061, or at the door. All proceeds go toward the Crossroads Youth Choir 2007 summer tour.
