Kirby Kay
Violin & Viola
Locations
- Remote Lessons
- St. Louis, MO
- Ballwin, MO
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Professional Associations
Suzuki Association of America
Rate
$50/hour
Background & Experience
Kirby Dennis began her musical training as a violinist and pianist at the age of 4 and has been a devoted musician ever since. Graduating from the University of Illinois with her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance in 2008, she earned Suzuki Certification from the Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville in 2009.
Kirby is currently teaching at West County Strings. She held a small private studio from 2004-2008, as well as guest coaching and sectional instructing with the Lake Forest High School, Midwest Young Artists and University of Illinois.
During her time as a student at the University of Illinois she was the youngest winner of the University of Illinois Concerto Competition String Division, a winner of the Rolland Violin Competition and the Armstrong Competition.
Kirby has studied privately with members of the Pacifica Quartet, Mr. Mark Zinger, and Mr. Gene Purdue. She has had several opportunities to work with other outstanding musicians such as Rachel Barton-Pine, Almita Vamos, Illya Kaler, Steffan Milenkovich, Jacques Israliavich, members of the Emerson Quartet, and the Autobaun Quartet.
On top of extensive solo performance experience, having also been featured as a soloist with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kirby has also been an avid chamber and orchestral musician having frequently served as section leader, most notably the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Some of her professional affiliations include Baroque Artists of Champaign Urbana, Prairie Ensemble, Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Illinois Orchestra, and Champaign-Urbana Symphony.
Kirby has had the opportunity to take several international tours to such places as Scotland, Vienna, China, and Korea.
Kirby is currently teaching at West County Strings. She held a small private studio from 2004-2008, as well as guest coaching and sectional instructing with the Lake Forest High School, Midwest Young Artists and University of Illinois.
During her time as a student at the University of Illinois she was the youngest winner of the University of Illinois Concerto Competition String Division, a winner of the Rolland Violin Competition and the Armstrong Competition.
Kirby has studied privately with members of the Pacifica Quartet, Mr. Mark Zinger, and Mr. Gene Purdue. She has had several opportunities to work with other outstanding musicians such as Rachel Barton-Pine, Almita Vamos, Illya Kaler, Steffan Milenkovich, Jacques Israliavich, members of the Emerson Quartet, and the Autobaun Quartet.
On top of extensive solo performance experience, having also been featured as a soloist with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kirby has also been an avid chamber and orchestral musician having frequently served as section leader, most notably the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Some of her professional affiliations include Baroque Artists of Champaign Urbana, Prairie Ensemble, Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Illinois Orchestra, and Champaign-Urbana Symphony.
Kirby has had the opportunity to take several international tours to such places as Scotland, Vienna, China, and Korea.