Kim Angelis

Violinist and composer Kim Angelis was born in San Francisco. Her music, though, has found fans all over the United States, and even outside of the country, in places like the Far East. When Angelis was a toddler she taught herself to play tunes on the piano, copying by ear the popular songs she heard on television and radio. By the time she was four years old, her mother had taught her to read musical notes, despite the fact that little Angelis hadn't even learned to read a child's story book yet. At the age of ten, she began to play the violin, an instrument she mastered easily. Within a few years she could skillfully perform impressive works by Vivaldi, Mozart, and Saint-Saens. During those early years, young Angelis was influenced by several different musical styles, ranging from hit rockers like U2 and Queen, to violinists like Isaac Stern and Jascha Heifetz. The music Angelis records shows many hints of those inspirations, offering fans tunes pleasingly seasoned with gypsy spice, classical structure, bluegrass swing, rock & roll rhythm, and folk softness. While in high school, Angelis was the featured soloist with the school's orchestra. When she graduated and entered the University of California, she was again chosen as featured soloist, and won many scholarships with her music. In 1989 Kim Angelis recorded her debut solo album, Violin Voyager. Other solo offerings followed, including Consider This, The Messenger, Esperanza, and for 2000, the Spirit of Adventure, released under the Skysong Records label. Some of the tracks showcased on Angelis' albums are "March of the Mad Maiden," "Somewhere Down the Road," "The Dancing Gypsy," "Songs My Mother Taught Me," and "Little Blackbird." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide