Viola, Violin, Piano

Hailed for his profound, deeply personal musicianship and wild, fiery technique, Brian Shoop has appeared as a violist, violinist, and pianist in concerts across the US as well as in Central America and Europe. Brian is currently working towards his Master’s Degree in viola performance at the University of Maryland, College Park under the mentorship of Katherine Murdock, where he also holds a Graduate Assistantship. He completed his undergraduate studies in music at the world-renowned Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with Peter Slowik.

Brian carries an active career as a performer which has included recent engagements with the Akron, OH Symphony Orchestra, the Erie, PA Philharmonic, and the Londontowne, MD Symphony Orchestra. He has also held leadership positions in the UMD Symphony Orchestra, Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Contemporary Ensemble, and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra of Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. While at Oberlin, Brian’s string quartet, the Black River Quartet, was selected to perform in Oberlin’s concert cycle of the complete collection of Beethoven's string quartets, in honor of his 250th birthday. Brian has also received significant recognition as a soloist, earning the first prize in the collegiate division of the 2023 Ohio Viola Society Competition and being named a finalist in Oberlin’s 2022 Senior Concerto Competition. As an educator, Brian believes in an individualized style of teaching that encourages students to explore their own musical interests and to love every single sound that they make. Ultimately, his goal is to share his passion for music with others so that they can also feel empowered to express themselves through music.