Drew Robertson began his musical studies at age four on the piano, and began studying viola at age seven.  His principal teachers were Leslie VanBecker, principal violist of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Mark Jackobs of the Cleveland Orchestra.  He studied viola performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), music therapy at Nazareth College, and Dalcroze Eurythmics at the Eastman School of Music.  Drew has performed with the CIM orchestras and Baroque Ensemble, Firelands Symphony Orchestra, Genesee Symphony Orchestra, and numerous other ensembles.  He has performed in masterclasses with acclaimed teachers such as Peter Slowik, Yizhak Schotten, Pamela Goldsmith, and Jeffery Irvine.  Drew has participated in festivals including the Pilsen Music Festival in the Czech Republic and the renowned Tanglewood Institute.  A performing teacher, Drew frequently plays solo recitals, outreach concerts, and chamber concerts.

Since founding and performing with the award-winning Kalliope String Quartet, Drew has been an avid teacher and advocate for musical entrepreneurship and chamber music.  In addition to playing countless gigs and concerts as both a violinist and violist, Drew coaches chamber ensembles and leads chamber music masterclasses.  Drew's passion is not only to inspire musical excellence in his students, but also to endow students with useful life skills such as professionalism, dedication, business acumen, and entrepreneurship.

Drew's teaching career began at Grand Rapids Christian High School, where he led orchestra rehearsals, chamber ensembles, and taught private lessons.  While at CIM, Drew played and taught viola and violin with the Sato Center for Suzuki Studies.  Additionally, Drew has extensively studied Suzuki Method, string instrument repair, Creative Ability Development, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and Guided Imagery in Music.  Drew consistently pursues further studies to improve his playing and teaching through institutes, conferences, and degree programs.  Incorporating his background in psychology and music therapy, Drew is very aware of the developmental stages and learning styles of his students, and tailors lessons to each student while maintaining focus on standard classical curriculum.   He keeps lessons and rehearsals interesting, diverse, and exciting by incorporating his experience in performance, music theory, music history, Suzuki pedagogy, improvisation, anatomy, physics, composition, and eurythmics.

Conservatory Trained

Drew Robertson studied viola performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Mark Jackobs of the Cleveland Orchestra.  While at CIM, Drew performed extensively as a soloist, orchestral player, and chamber musician.  He intensively studied music theory with Jeanette Davis, music history with Eric Charnofsky, and Dalcroze Eurhythmics with Dr. David Brown. Drew also served as an assistant orchestra librarian under Janet Winzenburger. In addition to the primary conservatory ensembles, Drew also performed with the Cleveland Institute opera ensembles and CIM/Case Western Baroque Ensemble.

Suzuki Certified

Drew Robertson received his Suzuki certification in Suzuki Violin Books 1-3 from the American Suzuki Institute with Nancy Lokken.  He studied Suzuki Book 4 and Teaching With an Open Heart at the Ithaca College Suzuki Institute with Edward Kreitman and Suzuki Book 5 with Nancy Jackson at PhoenixPhest Grande. Drew studied Suzuki Book 6 with Alice Joy Lewis and the Mozart Concerti, Suzuki Books 9 & 10, with Thomas Wermuth. To reinforce teaching younger students, Drew reviewed Suzuki Book 1 both with Ronda Cole and Edward Kreitman.  Drew has completed the Suzuki Principles in Action course and two teaching practicums.  Drew has also continued to study repertoire beyond the Suzuki Books through Thomas Wermuth’s courses on the Kreisler Encores. Drew maintains an active membership with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA).

Music Therapy Background

Drew Robertson studied music therapy as a graduate student at Nazareth College under Dr. Bryan Hunter and Dr. Betsy King.  Despite ultimately deciding to pursue music education as a career, Drew's experience in the field of music therapy has contributed to his expertise and interest in working with students who have Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Tourette's Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and other mental or physical health challenges.

Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies

From 2015-2021, Drew has attended the Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies at The Juilliard School as a teacher participant.  This unrivaled opportunity features stellar young artists and renowned teachers in a series of intensive pedagogy classes, masterclasses, and recitals. The Symposium features distinguished teachers such as Brian Lewis, Kurt Sassmansshaus, Pamela Frank and guest artists including Giora Schmidt, James Ehnes, Sarah Chang, Midori, and Itzhak Perlman.

Volunteer Fire & Rescue

Drew Robertson is dedicated to community service, both for his students and in his personal life. Beginning in 2020, Drew Robertson began volunteering with the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department. He earned his EMT certification in 2021 and completed fire school in 2022. He proudly serves with Station 10, Battalions 3 & 5 on both Engine 510 and Ambulance 510. Drew is determined to expand his skills as a first responder through continuing education in firefighting, rescue, and paramedic courses.

American String Teacher's Association Member

Since 2012, Drew has been a member of the American String Teacher's Association (ASTA), the largest network of school and private studio string teachers in the United States.  He attended and presented at the national conferences in 2014 in Louisville, KY and 2015 in Salt Lake City, UT, and attended the 2016 conference in Tampa, 2017 in Pittsburgh, 2018 in Atlanta, 2019 in Pittsburgh, and 2020 conference in Orlando.

Creative Ability Development Instructor

Drew Robertson is an active teacher and advocate of improvisation and alternative styles in performance.  CAD is a method of improvisation that allows students to expressively create 'answers' to a series of musical 'questions.'  Drew co-presented CAD sessions at the 2014 and 2015 ASTA National Conferences, led workshops in Rochester, MN and New York, NY, and edited Basslines and Fantasias: Creative Ability Development Book Two.

Academic Studies in Music

Believing musical knowledge is integral to becoming a complete musician, Drew teaches courses in music history, music theory, improvisation, and science of sound.  In order to prepare students for the rigors of college, Drew's classes provide students with collegiate-level instruction and opportunities to receive credit for their work through the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program and CollegeBoard AP.

Luthier's Apprentice

Drew seeks to find the optimal sound from each instrument, whether at a student or professional level.  Unlike most teachers, Drew frequently meets with parents and students outside of lesson times to find the perfect instrument or adjust setup to improve a student's potential and reduce risk of injury.  Drew's studies in violin setup and repair include coursework and apprenticeships with Dalton Potter and Scott Tribby.

Drew Robertson Music Studio

Since 2011, Drew has worked with a small studio of dedicated violin and viola students.  In 2017, he relocated his studio to an exciting new location in Manassas Park, Virginia.  To learn more about Drew Robertson's private studio, click here.

George Mason University Community Arts Academy

In Summer of 2018, Drew joined the artist faculty of the Mason Community Arts Academy.  In addition to teaching private lessons, Drew taught courses in music theory, music appreciation classes, chamber music, Violin Beginnings, and Violin & Viola Group Classes.

Sforza Suzuki Strings

In 2017, Drew joined the faculty of and served on the board of Sforza Suzuki strings, a collaboration between Suzuki teachers in Northern Virginia to provide a large group class and incredible performing experiences for students.  Sforza groups include over 150 Suzuki students and includes traditional group classes, repertoire classes, audition preparation, music appreciation, and fiddling.

The Harley School

From 2016-2017, Drew directed the orchestra program at The Harley School in Rochester New York, and led the three orchestras through challenging repertoire such as Bartok's Divertimento for Strings and Biber's exciting Battalia.  Additionally, Drew taught studio lessons to all beginning students, coached chamber ensembles including Tchaikovksy's intense Souvenir de Florence, and led classes in music appreciation and AP Music Theory.

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Drew Robertson taught at McQuaid Jesuit High School from 2013-2016, directing the orchestra program, teaching courses in general music and music history, and teaching private lessons.  Under his leadership, the orchestra performed original professional-level works such as Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, The Corelli Christmas Concerto, Gluck's Dance of the Furies, The Beethoven Violin Concerto, Mendelssohn's sparkling String Symphony No. 10, and Beethoven's monumental Egmont Overture.  Drew arranged concert trips for students to see world-class ensembles such as 2Cellos, The Piano Guys, The Cleveland Orchestra, and The New York Philharmonic.  In addition, he organized frequent community outreach concerts to local elder care centers, and began the McQuaid Jesuit Instrumental Music Competition.

The Kanack School of Music

From 2012-2015, Drew established himself as a leading teacher at the Kanack School of Music.  In addition to teaching privately, Drew coached chamber ensembles, assisted and conducted within the orchestra program, led group classes, and taught courses in a variety of musical subjects, including, music appreciation, acoustics, music history, and AP Music Theory.  During the summer, Drew led group classes and coached chamber ensembles at the Kanack School's summer camps. Additionally, Drew performed regularly on faculty chamber concerts and in recital.

Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory Program

While studying at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Drew led sectionals and assisted with the preparatory orchestra program from 2008-2010. The strong Suzuki and youth orchestra programs at CIM, along with the opportunity to work with outstanding faculty, was an inspiration to pursue music education.

Grand Rapids Christian High School

Drew Robertson began his teaching career as an orchestral teaching assistant under Dr. John Blakemore at Grand Rapids Christian High School from 2005-2007.  At the age of 15, Drew led rehearsals and conducted portions of school concerts, led violin and viola sectionals, managed chamber ensembles, ran the orchestra library, and improvised with the school's worship team.