MySpace a place for friends

Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer performs electrifying, cutting edge original music and arrangements with virtuosity and passion! Aaron brings his fresh and invigorating instrumental style to the stage engaging audiences of all ages. Meyer’s unique brand of music combines world, contemporary progressive rock and classical genres. A classically trained violinist since age 5, Meyer debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 11, and has soloed with major international symphony orchestras and ballet companies, in addition to performing for many world leaders and Dignitaries. Meyer has worked with vastly contrasting artists such as Pink Martini, Smokey Robinson, Aaron Neville, The Temptations, Leftover Salmon, 2002 Miss America – Katie Harman, and the platinum record selling band, Everclear.

Meyer has recorded eight albums thus far, including his latest and most exciting CD of original music entitled: The Journey… not the Destination, which features Aaron’s latest compositions and dynamic arrangements inspired by his passion for world travel and culture. Aaron will release his third holiday CD in November 2008. Each December, Aaron brings superior talent and variety to the stage with his annual holiday concert series throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Aaron presents his annual holiday concert in Portland each year with the support of major sponsors (Zupan’s Markets, Comcast, Moonstruck Chocolates, The Portland Hilton, Hybrid Moon, and The Portland Tribune). Continuing with his theme of “Holiday Music from Around the World”, Aaron brings international talent and guest artists to the stage such as famous Fijian guitarist/songwriter Jale Mareau as well as The Gothard Sisters who are current world champion Irish dancers and fiddlers.

Aaron began studying the violin when he was five years old with his father, Julian Meyer. Studies continued with Luis Biava - associate conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and also at Indiana University with Yuval Yaron - a student of Jascha Heifetz. It may be surprising to learn that Aaron shut his violin case when he was 19 years old and began down a new path by pursuing an undergraduate degree in Natural Science from Lewis & Clark College (1995). Following graduation, Aaron embarked on an 11-month journey into some of the most remote regions of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific which ultimately inspired him to create a unique style of original music combining world, contemporary progressive rock and classical influences. The flavors in Aaron’s variety of music depict a piece of each cultural experience from every village, every Island, every colorful place he has encountered and he continues to redefine his sound.

Upon returning from his life changing adventure in Southeast Asia, Aaron completed his Masters Degree from Portland State University. Aaron then joined the band Pink Martini and recorded on their debut CD, Sympathique (which has sold over 700,000 copies world wide). He performed with Pink Martini for almost 2 years; shortly thereafter he began composing his own original music and released his first solo CD. Aaron began his journey of combining classical and rock music, and has his music commissioned for the Oregon Ballet Theatres production of Dance Near The Edge.

Aaron's growing CD library includes three holiday CD's containing high energy holiday classics and favorites from around the world. These albums are entitled: The Holiday Spirit, A Winter's Dance, and The Fourth Season. Aaron's extremely popular classical-crossover CD of world influenced originals and arrangements is entitled: Warming Up, The Journey... not the Destination, Iniziare (which is Italian for 'the beginning'). The Compass is a CD of original music that was commissioned by OPB Radio and NPR for the 13-part radio series: Unfinished Journey... the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and Near the Edge... his first CD. Aaron also co-produced a CD with Fijian guitarist/vocalist Jale Mareau. Aaron has a CD of beautiful wedding music available for memorable Meyer-ized ceremonial wedding music.

Other opportunities along Aaron's journey included a request from the rock band Everclear to compose and arrange string parts for their album Slowmotion Daydream. Television opened a new door for Aaron to compose music for PBS specials as well as Microsoft commercials. His music then took him to The Hague, in Holland where he performed songs for the World Peace Conference. Playing his own unique version of the National Anthem at the NBA Western Conference Finals was a great highlight for Aaron who is an avid basketball fan.

On May 15, 2001 at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland Oregon 10,000 people gathered as Aaron played on stage with the Dalai Lama, performing an original piece of music written especially for the Dalai Lama’s visit to Portland.

Aaron generously donates to causes he believes in and is very active in his own local community as well as worldwide organizations. He plays regularly at auctions and charity events including International Medical Teams, American Lung Cancer Association, Salud Pinot Noir Charity auction, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Doernbecher Hospitals, Oregon Food Bank, Providence Medical Centers, Ronald McDonald House, and much more. One very special and memorable highlight was when Aaron played at an orphanage in Cambodia in association with Holt International, an adoption agency based in Oregon.

Aaron’s devotion for mentoring young musicians helped him create truly unique educational programs, which continually inspire students worldwide. He is a masterful educator, as well as dynamic performer! Each year, Aaron visits dozens of schools all over the Pacific Northwest, presenting assembly style educational music programs, workshops and assisting in creating CDs of student-written songs. The word is out, as Aaron has been flown to several different states to bring his programs into schools and work with youth orchestras! Oregon Music Hall of Fame partnered with Aaron in the Spring of 2009 bringing his highly acclaimed programs to numerous Portland area schools! OMHOF was so impressed, they plan to partner with Aaron even more for youth educational opportunities! Meyer also conducts his own annual, music education summer camp. Many students come back year after year because it is so fun and they learn so much! Aaron produced an educational CD entitled "Practice Classical Violin and Play Like A Rock Star". This innovative tool works in conjunction with Suzuki Books 1 & 2 for Violin, and inspires young students to have fun when they practice. It is a hit with violin teachers and parents alike!

Aaron resides in Portland, Oregon with his wife Renee, son Parker and their 2 dogs Bootsie and Paki. Aaron stays busy teaching private lessons, composing new music and visiting schools to perform and implement his educational program. Aaron is an omnivorous Deadhead and has attended over 40 Grateful Dead concerts, including the last Jerry Garcia Band shows ever at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. His other passion is travel and he once spent 60 days hiking through the Himalayas in Nepal and then in Northern Burma. Since then he has explored many new destinations such as Fiji, Jamaica, Mexico, Cambodia & Thailand to name a few. He returns to his favorite places and explores new regions on an annual basis with his wife Renee who owns one of the nations leading travel agencies, Unforgettable Honeymoons. In his free time he enjoys cooking, fine wine, tasty NW micro-brews, hiking, biking, scuba diving & camping. You can find out more about Aaron by visiting www.aaronmeyer.com, or contact: Shannon@aaronmeyer.com, or call 360.271.1481 to inquire about booking an event with Aaron and his band!