Bloomingdale School of Music - Faculty - Violin

Florida native Jeremy Blanden moved to New York after "weighing the options of relocating to several different cities. Ultimately, I decided I had to move here. There was no other place with as much excitement and opportunity as New York City." Jeremy began playing violin at age 9. His mother exposed him to all styles of music including classical, musicals, and pop. "My brother was an accomplished drummer and I was always into sports. However in 4th grade there was a public school music teacher who had the most positive energy and offered after school lessons to any one interested. I decided to give violin a shot and the rest is history. My parents often boast that from that moment they never had to tell me to practice because I would just play violin all day."

Jeremy believes anyone can learn how to play a musical instrument. "Each student has a different personality and style as an instrumentalist and musician. Their uniqueness must be cultivated. Seeing a student develop their own voice through music is something that they will never lose, and will allow them so many other opportunities in life." Open to teaching young children as well as adults, Jeremy feels that "it is important to be patient with children and work slowly through concepts, but most importantly music has to be fun. The smile children have when they are having fun playing an instrument and learning how to make beautiful sounds is unforgettable."

As a musician, Jeremy favors playing in chamber ensemble. "There is something so intimate and expressive in the music of string quartets and piano trios." He includes among his favorite composers Bach for solo instrumental and fugue writing, Beethoven for string quartets, Mozart and Puccini for operas, and Mahler for everything. "When I was 16 I played Mahler's First Symphony at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. As I was walking off stage at the conclusion, I was shaking from the emotional experience that I had in the performance. I knew at that point I had to have music in my life forever." In his free time Jeremy particularly enjoys exploring different facets of technology. "I enjoy working with computers, networking, learning about web design. With any additional free time I have, I like to play video games to unwind and relax, though with my favorite game being Guitar Hero, I guess music still finds a way to pervade all!"

Jeremy Blanden violin