Violist. Teacher. Adventurer. Friend.
Hi there.
I am a professional violist living and working in Miami, Florida.
I am active in the Miami performance scene, so you will see me on stage as a soloist, in a string quartet, or in orchestras throughout South Florida. If you would like to read more about my background or professional engagements, please scroll down.
Eric Eakes is a violist and doctoral candidate in Viola Performance at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music under the tutelage of Jodi Levitz. In addition to his studies at the University of Miami, Eric works as the personnel manager for the Henry Mancini Institute and is also the violist of the Henry Mancini Institute String Quartet.
While still in residence in his home state of North Carolina, Eric worked as a violist in the Fayetteville Symphony, the Durham Symphony, and was a freelance musician for opera and musical theatre performances. Since his move to South Florida, Eric has performed with the Naples Philharmonic, the Palm Beach Symphony, the Miami Bach Society, the South Beach Chamber Ensemble, and Orchestra Miami. An avid supporter of new music, Eric has had the privilege to meet and work with award winning composers such as Augusta Read Thomas, Christopher Theofanidis, Garth Knox, Mary Ellen Childs, and Martin Bresnick. Through his work in the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Eric has performed with the notable film composers John Williams, Quincy Jones, Jeff Beal, and James Newton Howard.
In addition to performing live on stage or in a pit, Eric has also worked as a session violist on a number of Grammy award winning albums. As a personnel manager, he has worked on orchestral sessions for Pharrell Williams, Shelly Berg, John Daversa, Julio Reyes Copello, and many others. When Eric isn’t performing, recording, or managing musicians, he provides live sound options for small ensembles and specializes in amplification for string quartet performances.
If you would like to get in touch with Eric, please use the form below.