Jeremy Black
First Violin
Violinist Jeremy Black was applauded for his “musical fire” and “effortless technique” by the Chicago Tribune for his debut performance with the Chicago Symphony at age 12, winning first prize in the nationally broadcast 1991 Illinois Bell/WTTW Young Performers Competition. More recently, his “fabulous tone” and “polished, reliable virtuosity” were noted by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in his “sensational” 2004 solo debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Black has also made solo appearances with the Pittsburgh Live Chamber Ensemble, and in subscription concerts with the Chicago String Ensemble and Evanston Symphony. His other awards include first prizes in the Society of American Musicians Competition, the Nordic Musical Arts Competition, and the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition.

Mr. Black has been a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's first violin section since 2002, and enjoys performing not only at concert halls around the world but also with his colleagues in Pittsburgh area hospitals and schools. In the summer months, he performs as Concertmaster of the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago, a position he has held since 2005. He began his orchestral career in 2000 as a first violinist in the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago and a frequent substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. An avid fan of chamber music, he has served as Concertmaster of the University of Pittsburgh's Music on the Edge Chamber Orchestra since 2002, and has performed in recital throughout the Pittsburgh region, including Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne Universities, Chatham College, West Liberty State College, and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

A native of Evanston, Illinois, Mr. Black studied with Mark Zinger, currently Professor Emeritus at DePaul University and a former student and colleague of David Oistrakh. Mr. Black's secondary education began in 1996 at Case Western Reserve University where he studied with Linda Cerone at the Cleveland Institute of Music. After graduating, he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to pursue his Masters degree with Paul Kantor at the University of Michigan.

Mr. Black resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Kate. His interests and hobbies include working on their house, reading, racquetball, and computers. He plays a violin made by Lorenzo and Tommaso Carcassi, dated 1783.