Player Biographies: Francis Gaskins, Violin

Francis Gaskins

Classical Violin

Last five years and currently -- private instruction from Professor Abram Shtern, Senior grandmaster Russian violin teacher and soloist.

Abram Shtern plays Swan Lake violin solo, Kreisler - Liebesleid, "Four String" Violin piece

Prior teachers included Alice Schoenfeld and Raphael Spiro.

One of the 100 US audition winners (and one of the youngest) for the two month International String Congress with first chair players from major symphonies around the country, after junior year in high school. Concertmaster of the All Northwest Orchestra in high school.

Fiddle

Zydeco/cajun, Irish & Pirate band pictures on Youtube
REALLYSHOOO -- 2-step / Experimental / Jazz
There Be Pirates

Business

Editor of http://IPOdesktop.com

Appears on CNBC & Bloomberg cable TV financial shows, commenting about initial public offerings (IPOs):  Visa IPO CNBC Interview

Quoted about 100 times per year about IPOs in such media as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press and others

Other

Certified turbo kick-boxing instructor, fairly recently

Turbo kick box example

Education

High school in Salem, Oregon (Salem Youth Symphony)

Princeton University (also studied violin at Juilliard during college)

Harvard Business School (played in Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra)