BIOGRAPHY 

• BA, State University of New York (Stony Brook)

Charles Parker, Jr. serves as Coordinator of CGYM Chamber Ensembles, CGYM Chamber Ensembles coach, and teaches individual lessons on violin by special arrangement. Parker has studied with some of the most renowned teachers in the field, including Ivan Galamian, Paul Zukofsky, Isidore Cohen and Helen Kwalwasser. He made his first musical tour of Europe at the age of 15 with the School Orchestra of America, which cemented his love of the violin and music. He teaches violin and chamber music for Haverford College, Bryn Mawr College and St. Joseph's University, as well as Temple Music Prep and Settlement Music School. Many of his past students have attended prominent music conservatories and are now members of distinguished orchestras as well as faculty at institutions such as Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He has been the coordinator of chamber music for Temple University's Center for Gifted Young Musicians since its inception in 1985, and was given their Inspiration Award in 2011.  Throughout those years he has worked with amazing talents such as Sarah Chang, Elizabeth Pitcairn, Elena Urioste and Sheila Browne. A member of Opera Philadelphia orchestra, he also performs regularly with the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra 2001, and other prominent Philadelphia organizations.  He was the Artistic Director and violinist of The Davidsbund Chamber Players, has toured internationally with the New York Chamber Players, and was a core member of the Vermont Mozart Festival for over 25 years.