Biography
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Narain Darakananda is a violinist and violin teacher based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He received his bachelor's degree from Bard College studying violin with Erica Kiesewetter and his master’s in violin performance from the San Francisco Conservatory, studying with Kay Stern. He can be found performing throughout the Bay Area with the Vallejo Symphony, Villa Sinfonia, Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, as well as in various ensembles at the San Francisco Conservatory. Though he is an accomplished performer, his true passion is teaching and he is excited to share his love and knowledge of his craft while growing alongside his students! His students have gone on to play at the Villa Sinfonia Foundation, Ottawa Youth Symphony, CODA All-State Orchestras, and San Francisco All-City Middle School Youth Orchestra.
A native of San Francisco, Narain began studying violin at the Villa Sinfonia Foundation with Lynn Oakley. Narain stayed at the Villa Sinfonia for over 10 years where he became assistant concertmaster. During this time, he also studied chamber music at Zephyr Point Music Camp with several coaches including Roy Oakley, Omid Assadi, Illana Matfis, Carol Rice, David Wishnia, and Rebecca Wishnia. In 2014, he also won the privilege of playing in the Junior Bach Festival. |
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Narain discovered his passion for teaching early, teaching his first private violin students during his high school years. A passionate chamber musician, Narain also began coaching chamber music groups throughout high school, holding chamber music recitals for his groups at the San Francisco Public Library and UCSF Byers Auditorium. In addition to his private teaching, he also volunteered as an assistant teacher for Karsten Windt at Enriching Lives with Music (ELM) and was an assistant teacher to Lynn Oakley's Suzuki-style group classes.
In 2017 Narain started studying violin with Erica Kiesewetter at Bard College in upstate New York. At Bard, he became concertmaster of the Bard College Community Orchestra, Bard Baroque Ensemble and was a member of the Bard Conservatory Orchestra. In his freshman year, he won the concerto competition for the Bard College Community Orchestra and performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the orchestra in 2018. Besides his musical studies, Narain's love for teaching drove him to pursue a second major in Psychology.
After four years on the East Coast, Narain is back in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is eager to start the new chapter of his musical and pedagogical journey in his home town. When he is not teaching, studying or practicing, Narain loves biking, reading, cooking, and pysanke.
In 2017 Narain started studying violin with Erica Kiesewetter at Bard College in upstate New York. At Bard, he became concertmaster of the Bard College Community Orchestra, Bard Baroque Ensemble and was a member of the Bard Conservatory Orchestra. In his freshman year, he won the concerto competition for the Bard College Community Orchestra and performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the orchestra in 2018. Besides his musical studies, Narain's love for teaching drove him to pursue a second major in Psychology.
After four years on the East Coast, Narain is back in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is eager to start the new chapter of his musical and pedagogical journey in his home town. When he is not teaching, studying or practicing, Narain loves biking, reading, cooking, and pysanke.