Meet Carolyn Alford | Electric Violinist, Violist, and Orchestra Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolyn Alford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolyn, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
The greatest recent obstacle to musicians has been the pandemic and how it affected our live performances. Not only did it impact us financially, but it also changed the outlook of how we make music and our reliance upon social media and recorded sets on avenues like Twitch. I have never been very “showy” on camera, but now everything is live-streamed and documented on social media platforms. Much of what I do is self-marketing and reaching out to prospective musicians and DJs to collaborate and perform.

I started playing electric violin in 2020 after the pandemic shut down all my classical music jobs. I have always had a love for edm music from my Miami roots! I started improvising to house, dubstep, and techno music and found a new passion playing with these tracks!

I’m proud of the new passion I found in playing the electric violin and improvising to EDM music. It makes me feel like such a rockstar and has enhanced my technical abilities through improvisation and stage presence. This work has also led to some exciting recording work at 2Chainz’ Street Execs studios, with acid house founder DJ Pierre, and singers at Empire and Madison Records, including Lady Boombox and Forrest Isn’t Dead. I also played for Atlanta-based Jordan Bolch on his most recent release.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am proud of many aspects of my career because they are all different and yet connected. I am a full-time orchestra director, and the impact that a music teacher can have upon countless children and their lives is unmatched.

I am a classical violist and violinist with six major symphony orchestras, performing recently with such artists as Andrea Bocelli and the Eagles. Being onstage and feeling the vibrations of sound waves from the brass and percussion sections behind you is surreal!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely head to one of the amazing rooftop bars in Atlanta for live music, dancing, and views. My favorites include Spaceman and Palo Santo. I also really enjoy the live DJ’s at El Malo, JoJo’s Beloved, and Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first local DJ I connected with was Sam Wolfe because I really liked his techno tracks and stage presence. He’s an awesome supporter of local musicians, and we have since collaborated at a variety of performances, including ones at the Imagine Music Festival and at Atlanta EDM clubs. I’m now playing frequently at EDM venues and events in the southeast, and my name is known amongst electric violin makers and in the EDM community.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultraviolet_strings?igsh=MWtremMwc3FhYmhuOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiddle78?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Gene Phillips Photography, Aeye Photography, Eye See the Vision Photography