David Gillis |
|
 |
First Violin A native of Philadelphia, David Gillis began his musical training with piano and theory lessons with Richard Yardumian. He later began violin lessons with Czeslawa Ozga, a student of D.C.Dounis. He joined the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra at 13, as its youngest member and later became its concertmaster. Mr. Gillis earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University, where he studied violin with Joseph Primavera and chamber music with Edgar Ortenberg. He performed throughout the Philadelphia area as a member of the Temple University String Quartet, and spent three summers with the Colorado Philharmonic, now known as the NRO. In 1969, Mr. Gillis joined the Milwaukee Symphony, serving as associate principal second violinist until 1972, when he joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra led by William Steinberg. In 1976, Mr. Gillis, along with fellow PSO members Paul and Charlotta Ross, founded the Pittsburgh Quartet which performed hundreds of concerts over more than 20 years. His love of chamber music and interest in young people has led him to coach the Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, and numerous other student ensembles, as well as maintain a busy teaching schedule. Mr. Gillis has also served on various committees of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s New Leadership Board helping to establish the Fiddlesticks, Side-By-Side and Ambassador-in-the Schools Programs. He plays a violin made in Florence, by G.B. Gabrielli in 1760 and is honored to hold the Selma Weiner Berkman Memorial First Violin Chair. Mr. Gillis and his wife Carol reside in the North Hills. They are the proud parents of two wonderful sons, Colin and Brendan, and two still rambunctious dogs, Chester and Maggie. Mr. Gillis enjoys traveling, reading, theater, golf, fly-fishing and fine wine. |