Charles Dimmick
Praised by the Boston Globe for his “cool clarity of expression,” violinist Charles Dimmick enjoys a varied and distinguished career as concertmaster, soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Concertmaster of the Portland Symphony since 2002, Charles also performs as concertmaster of the prestigious Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and as Assistant Concertmaster of the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Sought after as an orchestral musician, he also performs with the Boston Pops, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Boston and Chamber Orchestra of Boston. Charles began his violin studies age 5, and his professional life at 15 with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. At 19 he became the Assistant Concertmaster of the Dayton Philharmonic. As soloist, Charles has garnered praise, packed houses, and received standing ovations for what the Portland Press Herald has called his “luxurious and stellar performances” and his “technical and artistic virtuosity.” Recent concerto engagements have included performances with the Portland Symphony, BMOP, North Shore Philharmonic, and Portland Chamber Orchestra. Charles is a member of the recently formed Mt. Auburn String Quartet and collaborates with the Sebago Long Lake Festival, Monadnock Chamber Music Festival, and Chameleon Arts Ensemble. Former Assistant Professor of Violin at the University of Southern Maine, Charles currently maintains a select private studio. His primary teachers include Joseph Silverstein, Peter Oundjian, Victor Romanul, and Stacey Woolley. Charles attended Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and received additional training at the Tanglewood and Verbier festivals. He has performed under the direction of James Levine, Yuri Temirkanov, Zubin Mehta, Claudio Abbado, Seiji Ozawa, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Gil Rose, Larry Rachelff, and Robert Moody. Charles enjoys cooking, hiking and creating messes for his neat-minded wife, flutist Rachel Braude, and delighted cats, Cora and Gia. His debut recording of Elliot Schwarz’s Violin Concerto “Mr. Edison” was released on BMOP sound in October 2009.