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Updated 7/29/2024

EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks

  • R

    RI

Institution/Business Type: Artist / Creative (Individual)

I am told that as a small child I would sit quietly, staring in awe as my older cousin produced a volley of notes on her violin with lightning fingers. Keen to play these lively jigs and reels, I took up a child-sized fiddle and, over time, discovered that through this instrument a shy child could express all the emotions boxed up inside. 

This magical instrument now serves me in my musical life as a freelance musician and educator. My violin leads me to a broad variety of musical styles, gigs, collaborators and audiences. It takes me to concert and recital halls, churches, dance halls, and recording studios where I play everything from classical to contemporary music, from traditional fiddle tunes to improv. It has sent me on tours around the world, from the Pacific Music Festival in Japan with conductor Fabio Luisi to the Orchestra of the Americas in Europe, South America and Canada with conductors Valery Gergiev and Carlos Prieto. A week-long workshop with the Kronos Quartet culminated in a performance at Carnegie Hall. 

Bolstered by my doctorate from SUNY Stony Brook where I worked with the Emerson Quartet, Pamela Frank and Ani Kavafian, I wanted to give to others through the music I had studied and practiced for so many years. So, it was on to Providence to pursue a fellowship with the acclaimed Community MusicWorks. This position as a resident performing musician and teaching artist immersed me in the non-profit world, and offered the opportunity to collaborate with great artists like Johnny Gandelsman, Frank Rosenwein, and the MirĂ³ Quartet. After an inspiring two years at Community MusicWorks, I collaborated with my friend and colleague Ealain McMullin to found the mentoring and performing program called the Newport String Project. For six years I served as co-director, resident musician and teaching artist.

I now serve on faculty at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. As a performer, I enjoy leading the second violins of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, performing with the Cape Symphony and playing regularly with the Southcoast Chamber Music Series.

A firm believer that music can move people, quite literally, I play for contra dances where I enjoy giving energy to people's feet through those lively old-time tunes. Since I was a young child I have played fiddle with the Rusty Pickup String Band, discovering over the years how to infuse rhythmic drive into a hall full of dancers and create joy through my music.

Find Me

EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks
Job Title: Violinist
Phone: 3092560043
Address:
929 Hope St.
Providence, RI 02906

Social Media:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Chamber

Additional Disciplines:

  • Music - Traditional

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Community Arts
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Residency - Community
  • Residency - In School
  • Virtual Events
  • Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 120

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Immigrant Populations
  • Incarcerated (or Formerly Incarcerated) individuals
  • Nonprofits
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Youth-At-Risk

Geographic Reach:

  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • State
  • Multi-State Region
  • National
  • International

Accessibility of Services

Accessibility of Services:

  • Access accommodations for people who use a wheelchair and have limited mobility
  • Access accommodations for people who are blind, partially sighted, and have low vision

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • American String Teachers Association
  • American Federation of Musicians

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • American String Teachers Association
  • American Federation of Musicians

Awards

Awards:

  • N/A

Education

Education:

  • BM - Violin Performance - Cleveland Institute of Music
  • MM - Violin Performance - SUNY Stony Brook
  • DMA - Violin Performance - SUNY Stony Brook
  • Fellowship - Community MusicWorks

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Music

Fee range:

$200 - $5,000

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Music

Fee range:

$200 - $5,000

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • If the performance is outdoors and the audience is large, sometimes I require a sound system. Typically, though, I don't need anything.

Fee Range:

$200 - $5,000

State of Residence:

Rhode Island

Minimum Number of Performers:

1

Maximum Number of Performers:

8