Christopher Karwacinski
Professional Freelance Violinist

Violin Studies

 

Christopher is currently studying on the Violin MMus course at RNCM with Professor Benedict Holland. 

Chris started playing the Violin aged 5 years old at school and immediately showed promise on the instrument. He joined the London based Havering Music School at 6 years old, going on to win the Havering Young Musician of the year by the age of 8 and subsequently being appointed leader of the Havering Youth Orchestra, with players up to 18 years, at age 13. 

Chris was selected to be part of the LSO Next Generation Scheme at 8 years old and was appointed as lead violinist of their innovative ‘Next Generation’ Orchestra at age 12. This exciting opportunity saw him play regularly with the LSO, in seasonal concerts over a period of 5 years, leading up to performing live, with Next Gen Orchestra, at the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Chris had the privilege of also being appointed lead Violinist for the ceremony, playing alongside members of the LSO in a BBC broadcast, viewed by many millions of people around the world. 

At the age of 15 Chris joined Junior Guildhall, on joint first study Violin and Tuba, and a year later was also appointed Principal Tuba of the NYOGB, in his first year of auditioning, for two years from aged 16-18. 

After this, whilst Studying Violin privately in London under LSO violinist Belinda McFarlane, Chris went on to commence a Pure Mathematics Degree at King’s College London. During this time Chris joined as a member of the KCL Symphony Orchestra and won the University Concerto Competition in his first Semester there, playing as a Soloist in London based concerts and touring abroad with the KCL Symphony Orchestra, as Soloist, in his first summer at the University. 

After completing his degree, Christopher spent time studying privately with Violin Professors Simon Fischer and John Crawford in London, whilst working as a Maths and Music Tutor and Coordinator at a top private School in London, in preparation to study Postgraduate Violin at RNCM. 

As stated before Chris has this year commenced Postgraduate Studies at the RNCM already having a very successful first year in reaching the coveted Norman George Violin Prize Final, winning the Weil Chamber Music Prize and making it to the Rowland Chamber prize final this coming summer with the newly formed Aestus Quartet.