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 has been recognized for its mesmerizing and spirited performances – two perfect virtuosos, playing as one. In November 2014 and July 2016, the Classic Strings Duo was presented in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan. https://youtu.be/gSr_cmBBAFc
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 has been recognized for its mesmerizing and spirited performances – two perfect virtuosos, playing as one. In November 2014 and July 2016, the Classic Strings Duo was presented in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan. https://youtu.be/gSr_cmBBAFc
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 received critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour following their performances in Sicily. The duo has been recognized for its mesmerizing and spirited performances - two perfect virtuosos, playing as one.
As founding members of the Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio, they have performed twice in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan and 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.
They have performed in the Ameropa International Chamber Music Festival in Prague, as guest soloists with the Irish Sinfonietta Orchestra in New York City and were concertmaster and principal violist of the Viva Vivaldi Chamber Orchestra, which recorded for Centaur Records.
Kevin and Bryan served as concertmaster and principal violist of the RMA Chamber Orchestra which performed at the prestigious West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Ireland and at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in a joint performance with musicians from Hong Kong and Macao.
The Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio are partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
As founding members of the Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio, they have performed twice in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan and 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.
They have performed in the Ameropa International Chamber Music Festival in Prague, as guest soloists with the Irish Sinfonietta Orchestra in New York City and were concertmaster and principal violist of the Viva Vivaldi Chamber Orchestra, which recorded for Centaur Records.
Kevin and Bryan served as concertmaster and principal violist of the RMA Chamber Orchestra which performed at the prestigious West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Ireland and at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in a joint performance with musicians from Hong Kong and Macao.
The Classic Strings Duo and Rainier Trio are partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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