fbpx Skip to content
Buy Tix
Donate

Meet the Musicians

← Return to Meet the Musicians

Yasmin Craig Vitalius, violin

Oct 24 2018

Where did you grow up? Livermore, CA

Where do you currently live? Yarmouth, ME

What instrument(s) do you play? Violin, Viola, and Piano to accompany my students

Educational background: Stanford University, BA 1997 in Music, Science and Technology with a double concentration in composition and violin performance. Fulbright Fellowship to Ankara Turkey 1997-1999. Studied Turkish Folk Music and performed with the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. Eastman School of Music, MM 2001 in Violin Performance and Literature.

Personal Information (family, pets, kids, etc.): I live in Yarmouth with my family.  My husband, Brit Vitalius, owns a real estate brokerage in Portland.  We have a son, Coltrane, named in honor of Jazz saxophone great John Coltrane and a daughter, Allegra, named in honor of the beauty and joy of music.

How did you get started in music? My parents say that I asked to play the violin when I was 4. I have no idea where that came from and they thought I was too young. Finally, after nagging them for two years, they let me have lessons. Music has always been a part of my life and I am very fortunate to be able to perform and teach for a living!

What non-PSO musical activities do you participate in? I have a very active teaching life and serve on the board of the Maine Suzuki Association which supports music education in the state. My students have played at the Yarmouth Clam Festival, Portland Pirates and Sea Dogs games, at Suzuki workshops all over, with the USM Youth Ensembles and at PSO fourth of July and Magic of Christmas concerts.

What’s your favorite PSO memory to date? About 100 Suzuki students were warming up for the fourth of July concert at Ft. Williams with our standard “Twinkle.” From the stage behind them, symphony musicians began to join in. Students started to realize that they were playing WITH the symphony. The looks on their faces were priceless! It’s something they all remember to this day.

Describe a typical day: There is no such thing as a typical day! I often say I work when other people play and I play when other people work. It makes for scheduling together time with family a challenge sometimes! Teaching starts after school hours. Practice and rehearsals for quartet or other independent projects usually happen in the mornings.

What is the question you’re asked most often when you tell people you play with the PSO? How often do you meet in preparation for a concert? Answer: one to three rehearsals before the concert

If you couldn’t be a musician, what would be your dream job? Psycholinguist

Any non-musical hobbies? Languages and travel

What is your favorite music? What are you currently listening to? Non-Classical: Jeff Buckley, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, kd lang
Classical: Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Ravel, Debussy, Beethoven

What/where are your favorite eats in Portland?
Hot Suppa in Portland, Conundrum in Freeport and Gather in Yarmouth.

Close Menu
2425 chamber series

Announcing the all new Chamber Series

In honor of its 100th anniversary season, the Portland Symphony Orchestra steps beyond Merrill Auditorium and brings the music to you.

This all-new Chamber Music series celebrates the intimate and artistically vibrant nature of small musician led groups as they perform on stages throughout the state of Maine.

LEARN MORE

Close Menu
full stage eckart conducting

Never been to a symphony before? Don’t worry, we’re here to help

Find the answers to all the questions about the orchestra you may be too afraid to ask!

Read our First Timer’s Guide

Close Menu
youth

Bring your class to a youth concert

Coming in 2025… The Portland Symphony Orchestra partners with Carnegie Hall to present Link Up: The Orchestra Sings! Link Up is a fully participatory, school-day concert program. Students will fill Merrill Auditorium to sing, play recorders, move, and listen along with the symphony from their seats. This program is designed for students in grades 3-5 but all are welcome and encouraged to participate!

Learn more

Close Menu
Sarah Atwood

your gift matters

Ticket sales cover only a portion of what it takes to produce the PSO’s artistic and education programs. Your generous support is vital in helping us deliver music programs that serve children and adult listeners.

MAKE A GIFT

Close Menu
DSC01043

ECKART PREU

Meet the PSO’s Music Director

LEARN MORE

Close Menu
FullHall (2)

Help keep the arts alive in Maine

Be an Arts Hero

Learn More