Praised by the Boston Globe for his “cool clarity of expression,” violinist Charles Dimmick enjoys a varied and distinguished career as concertmaster, soloist, and chamber musician.  As one of New England’s most sought-after orchestral musicians, he is concertmaster of the Portland Symphony and the Rhode Island Philharmonic, appears regularly as concertmaster of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, and has served as guest concertmaster for the Winston-Salem Symphony, New Hampshire Music Festival, and Arizona Musicfest. A frequent 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 solo engagements have included performances with the Portland Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Arizona Musicfest, Chamber Orchestra of Boston, and the Boston Civic Symphony.  As a chamber musician, Charles can be heard collaborating with the Sebago Long Lake Chamber Festival, the Chameleon Arts Ensemble, Radius Ensemble, and Monadnock Music. He lives in Boston’s Jamaica Plain with his wife, flutist Rachel Braude, and their daughter Chloe.  Charles performs on a 1784 Joseph Gagliano violin.

Where did you grow up? Dayton, Ohio

Where do you currently live? Boston, MA

What instrument do you play? Violin

Education: Teachers include Joseph Silverstein, Victor Romanul, and Peter Oundjian

Began with the PSO: In 1999

Non-PSO Activities: I am also a member of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the New Hampshire Music Festival, and Opera Boston

Favorite music: Depends on the day? but Brahms, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Britten, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Mozart, and Bach are among my favorite composers (in no particular order, of course!)

In my iPod: Well, I’ve only managed to put about 400 of my (largely classical) CD collection on it so far; it’s a never ending project.

Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, kayaking, cooking (especially baking artisan breads), and great food and wine!