Rainier Trio
Kevin Matheson, violin ~ Bryan Matheson, viola
Melia Garber, piano
The Rainier Trio is a dynamic ensemble featuring violinist and violist brothers Kevin and Bryan Matheson with pianist Melia Garber. Known for their vibrant and captivating performances, they offer diverse programs including movie music and a celebration of American composers. Their engaging style and virtuosity have won acclaim at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Yamaha Hall, and they have delighted audiences across the U.S. and internationally.
Hailed as “two perfect virtuosos” at their international performance début, Kevin and Bryan Matheson of the Classic Strings Duo were received with critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour. The duo was awarded first prize in the 2023 Charleston International Music Competition, Contemporary Music Category. In 2014 and 2016, the Classic Strings Duo was presented in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan.
Pianist Melia Garber, a native of Romania, has won numerous piano competitions, including first prize at the prestigious International Piano Competition in San-Bartholomeo, Italy. She also won MTNA competitions in piano at the state and regional levels and won the Concerto Competition while at the University of Tennessee playing the Liszt Piano Concerto in E-flat Major. Ms. Garber has performed concertos by Bach, Mozart, Liszt and Grieg with the Philharmonic Orchestra of “Banatul” Timisoara, Romania.
The Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio receive support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for their performances throughout Virginia.
Hailed as “two perfect virtuosos” at their international performance début, Kevin and Bryan Matheson of the Classic Strings Duo were received with critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour. The duo was awarded first prize in the 2023 Charleston International Music Competition, Contemporary Music Category. In 2014 and 2016, the Classic Strings Duo was presented in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan.
Pianist Melia Garber, a native of Romania, has won numerous piano competitions, including first prize at the prestigious International Piano Competition in San-Bartholomeo, Italy. She also won MTNA competitions in piano at the state and regional levels and won the Concerto Competition while at the University of Tennessee playing the Liszt Piano Concerto in E-flat Major. Ms. Garber has performed concertos by Bach, Mozart, Liszt and Grieg with the Philharmonic Orchestra of “Banatul” Timisoara, Romania.
The Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio receive support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for their performances throughout Virginia.
Classic Strings Duo
Kevin Matheson, violin ~ Bryan Matheson, viola
Kevin and Bryan Matheson, as violin-viola duo, received critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour and were awarded first prize in the 2023 Charleston International Music Competition, Contemporary Music Category. They have been recognized for their mesmerizing and spirited performances - two perfect virtuosos, playing as one. Their two successful tours to Japan included recorded performances at Yamaha Hall in Tokyo.
Kevin and Bryan have performed the Bruch and Mozart double concertos with the Valley Chamber Orchestra at Hollins University. They are frequent recitalists and chamber musicians on concert series throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. They have organized new ballet choreography for their performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, selections from Bartok’s 44 Duos for Two Violins and other works with the Roanoke Ballet Theatre and Southwest Virginia Ballet. They have arranged many Broadway, movie, operatic and orchestral works for their violin-viola-piano trio which tours for the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Kevin and Bryan Matheson have commissioned new chamber compositions, premiered additional works, recorded five CDs and are Performing Artists for Young Audiences of Virginia, presenting school concerts throughout the state. They are concertmaster and principal violist of the Orchestra of Virginia’s Blue Ridge and are Adjunct Instructors at Hollins University.
The Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio receive support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for their performances throughout Virginia.
Kevin and Bryan have performed the Bruch and Mozart double concertos with the Valley Chamber Orchestra at Hollins University. They are frequent recitalists and chamber musicians on concert series throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. They have organized new ballet choreography for their performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, selections from Bartok’s 44 Duos for Two Violins and other works with the Roanoke Ballet Theatre and Southwest Virginia Ballet. They have arranged many Broadway, movie, operatic and orchestral works for their violin-viola-piano trio which tours for the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Kevin and Bryan Matheson have commissioned new chamber compositions, premiered additional works, recorded five CDs and are Performing Artists for Young Audiences of Virginia, presenting school concerts throughout the state. They are concertmaster and principal violist of the Orchestra of Virginia’s Blue Ridge and are Adjunct Instructors at Hollins University.
The Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio receive support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for their performances throughout Virginia.
“…an exciting group of classical musicians that captivate audiences with their masterful playing of the violin, viola and piano.”
Kirby Cultural Arts Complex, Roxboro, NC
Kirby Cultural Arts Complex, Roxboro, NC
Rainier Trio
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Classic Strings Duo
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Hailed as “two perfect virtuosos” at their international performance debut, Kevin and Bryan Matheson of the Classic Strings Duo were received with critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall debut as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour. They have performed twice in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan, in Ireland, Sicily and the Czech Republic. As the Rainier Trio, they have appeared on numerous concert series throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and North Carolina. They tour for the Virginia Commission for the Arts, have released five CDs and been chosen as “CD of the week” by WQED Pittsburgh.
Contact: Kevin Matheson ~ 540-577-4916 ~ kevin-matheson at hotmail.com
P.O. Box 11211, Blacksburg, VA 24062
©Copyright 2025 Kevin's Website Design
P.O. Box 11211, Blacksburg, VA 24062
©Copyright 2025 Kevin's Website Design
