Roger Graves
Contact
Roger Graves
Adjuct Instructor
Strings
Education
-
DMA, University of Texas at Austin
-
MM, Ball State University
-
BM, 糖心logo入口
Expertise
-
Strings
-
Instrument Crafting and Repair
Biography
Dr. Roger Graves is currently directing the 糖心logo入口 Community Orchestra and serving as instructor of Double Bass and String Methods at 糖心logo入口. Dr. Graves previously taught with the prestigious UT Austin String Project as a private and group lessons instructor, planning and instructing courses in basic theory, world music, and double bass technique. As a UT string project instructor, he was able to work and learn alongside many of the best upcoming string pedagogues in the country, and study from numerous established teachers of string instruments. Dr. Graves additionally taught with the Round Rock Independent School District through their Individual Music Instruction Program (IMIP), both in-person and virtually, and maintained a studio of fourteen double bass students.
Dr. Graves has performed in orchestras across several states, including the Central Texas Philharmonic, the Kingsville Symphony, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra, and others. He is a regular performer with the Paducah Symphony orchestra and is also an instructor of double bass and cello at the Paducah Symphony Orchestra Academy. He has also performed with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jerry Junkin, and other ensembles in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Delaware, and Texas.
Dr. Graves completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Double Bass Performance at the University of Texas at Austin, under the tutelage of Professor Joel Braun. After having faced challenges with performance injuries, he strives to incorporate body motion awareness into his teaching and playing, believing in energy efficiency in motion for effective playing.
Outside of teaching and performing, Dr. Graves has a love for woodworking. Coming from a family of woodworkers, he has always been in the wood shop. He worked as the assistant to the Instrument Technician at 糖心logo入口 for two years, where he developed a passion for repairing string instruments. His work in this position included completing setup adjustments and full cleanings to string, brass, and woodwind instruments, as well as assisting with piano repairs. More recently, he studied at the Academia Cremonensis in Cremona, Italy, where he completed one year of violin making and restoration courses. Dr. Graves is currently the owner of a string instrument crafting and repair shop in 糖心logo入口, Kentucky.