About
Christian Abreu began playing double bass at the age of 13. Throughout his high school years, he received a superior with distinction at State Solo and Ensemble. He was also Assistant Principal Bassist of the Howard W. Blake Symphony Orchestra and Principal Bassist of the prestigious Tampa Bay Junior Philharmonic Youth Orchestra under Dr.William Weidrich. In 2008, Christian traveled with the Howard W. Blake Symphony Orchestra on their Chicago tour competition, in which the orchestra won 1st place at the Midwest Competition.
Upon graduating high school, he was awarded a full-ride music scholarship to attend the University of South Florida School of Music. He also served as Assistant Principal of the USF Symphony Orchestra from 2008-2010.
Christian as he worked with Idina Menzel, Auli'i Cravalho, Lindsey Stirling, Karen Clark Sheard, Mairead Nesbitt, Time for 3, Geraldine Walther, from the Takács String Quartet, Maurice Peress, conductor of the New York Philharmonic, Marcy Rosen of The Mendelssohn String Quartet, acclaimed soloist and founding member of the Orion String Quartet Daniel Phillips, world-renowned composer Bright Sheng, film composer David Amram, Congo Virtuoso Candido Camero, and Conductor of United Airforce Band Lt Col Alan L. Bonner. He also was the assistant principal bassist for the Nova Philharmonic and was invited to become faculty of El Sistema New York.
Christian has performed in venues such as Len Fest Hall and Field Concert Hall of Philadelphia, Symphony Space, The Straz Center, The Riverside Church in New York City, and many more.
Christian had the opportunity to study with members of the world’s best orchestras. Some esteemed names are, Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Jeremy McCoy, Assistant Principal Bassist of The Met, and Daniel Krekler of The Met.
Christian Abreu is in constant demand as a performer and clinician in the bay area. He is an active performer with the Florida Orchestra, Venice Symphony, Brevard Symphony, and NovaBaroque Ensemble. In addition, he has served as an Florida All-State Clinician and is a regular clinician at Howard W. Blake, Plant, Gaither, Harrison School of the Arts and many bay area schools.
Daniel
Krekler
Received his Masters from Manhattan School of Music. His teachers include, Tim Cobb, Peter Llyod, Lawrence Hurst, and Donald Palma. Daniel plays in The Metropolitan Opera. He has held positions with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Daniel has participated in the Verbier and the Salzburg Music Festivals
Joseph
Conyers
Received his Bachelors from Curtis Institute of Music where he studied with Edgar Meyer and Hal Robinson. Conyers is currently faculty at The Juilliard School and the Assistant Principal Bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Prior to his current position Joseph played in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Grand Rapids Symphony as Principal Bassist. He has participated in the Verbier, Brevard, Aspen, and Tanglewood Music Festivals. Joseph also heads a non for profit organization that focuses on empowering communities through the power of Music (Project 440)
My Mentors
Dee
Moses
Received his Bachelors from Cleveland Institute of Music were he studied under Lawrence Angell. Dee has been the Principal Bassist of The Florida Orchestra since 1975. He is a faculty member at University of South Florida. Dee has appeared as a soloist with the Florida orchestra playing the Koussevitzky Concerto. In 2006 Dee was a featured soloist in the Florida premiere of the John Harbson Bass Concerto.
Lessons
My goal as a musician and educator is to empower, educate and inspire lower income youths and adults alike. The transformational power of music is like no other, it can dramatically change the life trajectory of youths as seen in Venezuela's El Sistema initiative.
Once I was asked to pay $200+ for a one hour lesson which I quickly refused to take. This experience lite a fire in me to provide the education and experiences that I was granted to the less fortunate of Tampa Bay region. I strive to make music education accessible to everyone which is why I charge an exorbitantly lower rate than most.
Lessons are usualy facilitated in my home. I also offer virtual lessons for those who are not able to travel.
Lesson Topics
Fundamental
Techniques
Voice and Playing Style
Music Theory
I offer sectionals and private lessons onsite for all age groups and skill levels. I have extensive experience with All-County, All-State, Solo & Ensemble and college audition preparation. Schools that I have taught at are, Howard W. Blake, Gaither ,and Plant High School