Anna Carlson is an active performer and teacher in the Chicago area.  She is currently a member of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.  She has also performed with many other groups including ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra,  Madison Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and many more.  Anna is also a recent alumnus of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, in which she was Assistant Principal Second Violin.  

 

Anna holds two Bachelor's degrees (in Violin Performance and Business) from Illinois Wesleyan University, and a Master's in Performance from the University of Michigan.  Her primary teachers include Stephen Shipps, William Starr, Vadim Mazo, and Amy Gesmer-Packman.  She has studied chamber music with Martin Katz, Andrew Jennings, Christopher Harding, and members of the Cavani Quartet.  She has also participated in many summer festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival and School, the International Music Academy of Pilsen (Czech Republic), and Ameropa International Chamber Music Festival (Prague, Czech Republic).  Other teachers include Herbert Greenberg, Carole Cowan, and Baird Dodge.

 

A devoted teacher, Anna is on faculty at the People's Music School Uptown, and she maintains a private studio on the North side of Chicago.  Anna has taught at summer camps such as Uptown Academy's Back of the Yards camp, a part of Make Music Chicago.  She has also given orchestral excerpt masterclasses at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville.  

 

In addition to playing classical music, Anna loves to perform a wide array of music, including classic rock, dance music, and country fiddling.  She performs all different styles of music at corporate functions and weddings throughout the area.  She is a member of the CoverGirls Violin Show, a rock cover group out of Chicago that plays a choreographed rock and dance show.  She also performs frequently with various dance bands including The Don Cagen Orchestra, the Becca Kaufman Orchestra, and the High Society Orchestra.  Anna has performed at high-profile venues including the United Center and McCormick Place, and she loves being able to share her music in all different settings.