Christopher Sanchez

A native of the Washington D.C. region, violinist Chris Sanchez began his musical studies at age seven, completing all ten Suzuki volumes within five years and continuing his childhood studies with David Salness at the University of Maryland and at the Meadowmount School in New York, where he studied with David Salness and Sally Thomas of the Julliard School. He has earned performance degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park (BM) and the University of Georgia (MM). His major teachers have included David Salness, Ronda Cole, Sally Thomas, Emily Campbell, Dr. Levon Ambartsumian, Charles Castleman, and Arnold Steinhardt and John Dalley of the Guarneri String Quartet.

Driven by his fascination with how a teacher’s artful words alone can transform one’s technical and creative efficacy, Chris developed a passion for musical education at an early age. He believes that every child has a unique and important journey in life and his teaching philosophy centers on helping each child discover possibility beyond their peripheries.

Chris directs Capitol Sound Strings with his co-teacher, Susan Fuller, as well as the annual June festival of the same name, which is structured to provide a summer ignition experience for both students still studying in the Suzuki books and advanced players. He also co-teaches with Ronda Cole and David Strom in McLean, Virginia. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife and two children.

Chris has held numerous orchestral leadership positions throughout his career and made numerous appearances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Lyceum, and Constitution Hall, has made significant collaborations with artists such as the Cypress String Quartet, and has cut several important recordings with the Ambartsumian Russian Chamber Orchestra. He performs on a violin built by Giovanni Baptista Ceruti in 1795 and a bow made by Nicolas Maline.

www.capitolsoundstrings.com