Charismatic violinist and presenter Casey Bozell offers performances and music experiences which engage and inspire audiences across the Pacific Northwest. Her bold and colorful playing “draws out strong emotions” (The Linfield Review) and casts new light on traditional repertoire. As a presenter, Casey shares a magnetic enthusiasm for music which, when coupled with her approachable and cheerful personality, widens and deepens audiences and their connection to classical music.
Casey is the concertmaster of the Newport Symphony and Orchestra Nova Northwest, and is also a member of the Portland Opera Orchestra and Oregon Ballet Theater. Recent solo engagements include appearances with the Newport Symphony, Orchestra Nova Northwest, Tualatin Valley Symphony Orchestra, Beaverton Symphony, Linfield Chamber Orchestra, and the Central Oregon Chamber Orchestra. An adept chamber musician, Casey is a founding member of the Hammers and Bows piano trio and Element String Quartet. Committed to exploring new possibilities for her instrument, Casey has premiered several compositions by talented local composers. Among her world premiere performances are compositions by Thomas Barber, Ames Bierly, NIcole Buetti, Douglas Detrick, and Nora Ryan.
Since 2020, Casey has been the creator and host of the podcast Keep Classical Weird, which focuses on the quirks and oddities of the world of classical music. The podcast has enjoyed tens of thousands of downloads in over 100 countries. Her new series, The Breakdown, releasing this fall, goes even further into specific classical works and offers listeners a closer, more constructive view on both standard and unconventional works of the repertoire.
Passionate about developing creativity and musical literacy in young people, she serves on the faculty of the Young Musicians and Artists summer camp (since 2010), and teaches at Portland State University as the String Tech professor in the education department. Casey served as Violin and Viola Instructor at Concordia University for ten years where she directed the Concordia University Chamber Ensemble. Past positions also include teaching at Corban, Pacific and Marylhurst Universities. Her students have participated in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Pro-Arte Youth Orchestra, Oregon All-State Orchestra, and have won college scholarships and concerto competitions across the Pacific Northwest region.
Casey’s greatest mentors include Gerardo Ribeiro, Mitchell Newman, Richard Fuchs, and Harold Wippler. She received her Bachelors of Music Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, and her Masters of Music Performance from Northwestern University. She plays on an 1874 Frederic Diehl violin. When Casey isn’t on the stage or behind the podcast microphone, you can find her relaxing with her partner, her daughter, and her three objectively ridiculous cats.
