Praised for “combining omnivory and brilliance” (The New York Times), seven-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated violinist and composer Curtis Stewart translates stories of American self-determination to the concert stage. Tearing down the facade of “classical violinist,” Stewart is in constant pursuit of his musical authenticity, treating art as a battery for realizing citizenship. As a solo violinist, composer, Artistic Director of the American Composers Orchestra, professor at The Juilliard School, and member of award-winning ensembles PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail, he realizes a vision to find personal and powerful connections between styles, cultures, and musics. He was awarded a 2025 Sphinx Medal of Excellence in recognition of extraordinary leaders in the classical music field who are transforming lives while addressing systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities.
Stewart has been nominated for multiple GRAMMY® Awards for Best Classical Instrumental Solo: the world premiere recording of his arrangement of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s 24 Negro Melodies, performed by the National Philharmonic under Michael Repper and released in August 2025 on AVIE Records; his recording of Julia Perry’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra with the Experiential Orchestra (Bright Shiny Things); his album of quarantined song cycles and art videos, Of Power (Bright Shiny Things); and his album of Love. – a tribute to his late mother, Elektra Kurtis-Stewart. Stewart received further nominations in the Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance category for PUBLIQuartet’s albums What Is American and Freedom and Faith, both released on Bright Shiny Things.
An enthusiastic educator, Curtis Stewart currently teaches at The Juilliard School and the Perlman Music Program, and for ten years led all levels of music theory and orchestra at the LaGuardia High School for Music & Art and Performing Arts in NYC. Learn more at www.curtisjstewart.com.
