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Violinist and pedagogue Gabriel Anker (he/him) plays, “with impressive weight and cohesion…" (The Strad magazine), and he is a practicer of diverse musical genres, ranging from baroque to experimental performance. Gabriel's artistic journey has thus far led him to concertize at venues across the globe, including the Philharmonie de Paris, the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall in NYC, and others. He has attended festivals including Aspen, Encore, and Domaine Forget in Québec. Gabriel is passionate about historically inspired performance, and he has studied as well as performed with members of the Netherlands Bach Vereniging. In Europe, he has toured with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta and performed with the Orchestre de Paris under Klaus Mäkela. He believes the future of music is assured by living composers and promotes their works, especially through Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles. Through collaborations with nonprofits such as Street Symphony, Paterson Music Project, and DeCoda, Gabriel, has helped advocate for inclusive, accessible music education. Gabriel is the first violinist of the Rose Quartet (the Graduate Quartet in Residence at Montclair State University), mentored by the Harlem Quartet. He is a an alumnus of The Royal Conservatoire in the Hague, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Southern California (MM), and Rice University (BM, Distinction in Creative Work and Research).

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2023 has been an extraordinary year for Gabriel, marked by exciting collaborations and diverse projects. Incorporating a new dimension to his performing life, he assumed the role of Community Engagement Coordinator and Librarian at Madeline Island Chamber Music during the summer. This position provided a unique opportunity for him to immerse himself in the festival's vibrant atmosphere since being a fellowship young artist.

Before his summer escapades, Gabriel returned to LA to participate in concerts with the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, sharing the stage with the exceptional soloist Kevin Ahfat. In May, at Montclair State University (MSU) where he is currently in residence, Gabriel engaged in a memorable collaboration with historical violinist Theresa Salomon and harpsichordist Hsuan-Wen Chen, treating audiences to a delightful recital of baroque repertoire.

The months leading up to May were no less eventful for Gabriel. In April, he presented recital at MSU, featuring the rising soprano Abby Brodnick. A month prior, in March, he took on the role of concertmaster for the Montclair State University Symphony,  performing the Scheherazade solos under the baton of the skilled conductor Kyle Ritenauer.

Recent highlights in Gabriel's musical journey were his March and February performance at NYC’s Kaufman Center as part of the Immersive Residency program sponsored by the Cali School of Music. There, he shared the stage with DeCoda, performing arrangements of music by victims of the criminal justice system, as well as with composer Caroline Shaw and the Rose Quartet.

Continuing his adventures in January, Gabriel embarked on a tour of recitals in the Netherlands with Trio Alora, an ensemble he co-founded in the Hague in 2021. Comprised of cellist Leah Plave and pianist Leone Monaco, Trio Alora enchanted audiences in the Hague, Uden, and Alkmaar.

The previous year also brought numerous exciting collaborations for Gabriel. In November 2022, he joined forces with the Rose Quartet to collaborate with the talented composer and folk instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens. Together, they presented a concert featuring Giddens' renowned song, “At the Purchaser’s Option,” incorporating a unique blend of string quartet, historical banjo, percussion, and voice. Additionally, Gabriel and the Roses had the privilege of working with the Cavani Quartet, participating in a community engagement program, and performing a concert at Merkin Hall.

During the summer of 2022, Gabriel further expanded his musical horizons, performing Brahms' works on original instruments in Amsterdam and Leiden, conducted by the renowned Johannes Leertouwer, and alongside the brilliant soloist Shunske Sato. Additionally, he attended the esteemed Académie de l’Orchestre de Paris’s Session d'Été at the Philharmonie de Paris, directed by Klaus Mäkelä and Sora Elisabeth Lee. In June, Gabriel had the honor of co-premiering Christopher Cerrone's exquisite clarinet quintet, "Nervous Systems," alongside fellow members of the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra.

Before these recent achievements, Gabriel had already been showcased on various international stages. During his time abroad in Holland from 2021-2022, he served as an academist with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, participating in their national concert tour, "Le Baiser de la Fée," with seven enchanting performances throughout the Netherlands. Moreover, Gabriel graced the city of Köln, Germany, with his renditions of Mozart's works, collaborating with the Nieuwe Philharmonie Utrecht.

Chamber music holds a special place in Gabriel's heart, and he has been an avid member of Kaleidoscope since 2018. He also lent his energies to other self-led groups in Los Angeles, including the Mixtape Series and Delirium Musicum. Notably, he played a key role in leading the west coast premiere of Pierre Jalbert's "String Theory" in 2016, and he actively contributed to bringing the works of esteemed composers like Jessie Montgomery, Gabriella Smith, and Viet Cuong to life.

A devoted lover of early music, Gabriel had the privilege of performing with the Mercury Chamber Orchestra in Houston from 2017-2018. His passion for expanding his musical knowledge has led him to attend various prestigious summer music festivals, both in the US and abroad, such as Aspen, Bowdoin, Encore Chamber Music, Domaine Forget, and Madeline Island's fellowship quartet program. His international presence has provided him with invaluable opportunities to learn from exceptional soloists like Vadim Gluzman, Simone Lamsma, Hilary Hahn, and others. Additionally, Gabriel had the honor of participating in chamber music masterclasses conducted by internationally acclaimed groups like the Casals Quartet, Quatuor Danel, and the Ariel Quartet. His collaborations with celebrated chamber musicians, including the late St. Lawrence Quartet first violinist Geoff Nuttal and German violinist Antje Weithaas, have enriched his musical journey.

Beyond his musical pursuits, Gabriel remains committed to using the power of the arts to empower communities. He has contributed his talents to LA's Street Symphony, served as a Music Doing Good scholar in Houston, and was a Wells Fargo Point Foundation scholar from 2015 to 2018.

Gabriel's impressive musical journey is underpinned by a strong academic foundation. He holds an Artist Certificate from the esteemed Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag (Royal Conservatoire the Hague), where he had the privilege of studying with the accomplished Lisa Jacobs and Joseph Puglia. Additionally, he earned a Professional Studies Diploma from the renowned San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying under the guidance of Ian Swensen and Elizabeth Blumenstock. Gabriel graduated with a Master of Music degree from USC's Thornton School of Music, mentored by the esteemed Pamela Frank and Midori. Furthermore, he received a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Research and Creative Work from Rice University, where he studied under the late Kenneth Goldsmith and pre college with Dr. Sonja Harasim at the Shepherd School of Music. Gabriel's musical journey began at a tender age, starting violin lessons with Ella Bugerenko at the age of 3, and he later attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston.

Beyond music, Gabriel enjoys a diverse range of interests, including coffee, art tourism, supporting his friends' performances, iPhone photography, poetry, cooking, and exploring everything but the violin, which remains his dedicated and cherished musical companion.