Stop by our shop and electric violin showroom in Durham, North Carolina - just minutes from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) and one mile off Interstate 40.
We have a separate page with detailed directions to our shop.
Founder of the Feast
D. Blaise Kielar began his electric violin journey in the mid 1980s, when he sold Zeta violins through Hillmusic Fine Violins, in Chapel Hill, NC. He left that business to play and teach more in the mid 1990's. Over the years, he has taught many styles - classical, Irish, Old Time, jazz, gospel, country, Middle Eastern, free improv, etc.When he started his world music instrument store, Music Explorium, in 1999, he considered stocking electric violins to be his fun indulgence. He added acoustic violins due to demand from his former violin shop customers! Through the wonders of the Internet, people began calling him for advice about choosing an electric violin. His combination of violin shop skills and comfort with electronics and improvising appealed to players from as far away as Bali and Israel. Now, with Electric Violin Shop, he (and a staff of specialists) can provide a higher level of service to bowed string players who want to be heard in an amplified setting. Contact Blaise at 919-806-3311 to chat about your amplification desires.
Blaise's detailed biography is here.
Fiddle Fashionista
A native of Fayetteville, NC, Chris Guin took up the violin when he was nine years old, because it got him out of math class. Throughout his school years, he played in local and regional youth orchestras, as well as the community symphony orchestra. At 14, he took up guitar, because he wanted to play in a rock band. If Electric Violin Shop had existed back then, this unfortunate necessity would never have occurred. With a decent amp and an effects processor, he could've played all the Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen tunes he wasn't quite good enough to play on the guitar.
Chris worked construction, sold cars, telemarketed (so much for that whole immortal soul thing), worked for an inventory company, wrote resumes, and even co-authored a novel. (You'd probably think someone who wrote an entire novel would have no trouble with a little web bio -- you'd be wrong). After serving way too much time as a mall-zombie and general retail drone, much of it spent as an Evil Corporate Bookseller, he finally found his way to Electric Violin Shop. He has since become a brand evangelist for the store, and for the electric violin in general. As the Fiddle Fashionista for EVS, he sometimes helps customers find not only the instrument with the right tone, but the electric violin and bow to perfectly match, contrast, or compliment the player's wardrobe. His math skills have never fully recovered, but he is still playing the violin.
Duncan Monserud
Duncan spent the better part of two decades playing in orchestras and is currently a member of the Durham Symphony Orchestra. Classically trained on the violin and piano, for years his only outlet for non-classical styles came in teaching himself to play the guitar...that is until his discovery of the electric violin! Electrified strings have not only renewed his interest in violin playing, but also opened a new realm of possibilities to him as a composer. Duncan studied Music Composition as an undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa and earned a Master's degree at the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton School of Music where he also taught Music Theory. Duncan's compositions for strings include a Sonata for Violin and Piano and a String Quartet.
Mike Lyle
A native of Pennsylvania, Mike comes to EVS as a bassist, vocalist, and conductor. Mike studied voice and music education at Grove City College, where he first studied double bass. Consequently, he spent more time in orchestras than any self-respecting voice major should.
He continued to indulge his instrumental side while completing graduate work in conducting and voice at the University of Texas, El Paso. After moving to North Carolina, Mike took part in the formation of the Really Terrible Orchestra Of the Triangle (RTOOT). Although he went through a brief (and aurally painful) period of playing violin with RTOOT, he is now principal double bassist and assistant conductor. Mike also sings bass baritone regularly with the Choral Society of Durham.
Paulo Lopes
Paulo Lopes was born in Brazil, worked as a musician for 20 years, performing live presentations around the country. He is a talented guitarist, violinist, vocalist, composer and arranger. He has many years experience in audio production and owned a commercial professional recording studio in Brazil. Paulo is currently directing and playing with Brazilian Soul, Brazilian Jazz, Braziian Strings as well as playing guitar and singing with the Brazilian band, Holy Samba.
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