But you know you haven't done it all because you know everything keeps evolving and changing; and you know you can evolve with it if you grow and develop as a human being.
Conrad Hall, cinematographer 

         

       Violinist Shelley Mathews was born in London, England but considers her hometown the Washington, DC metro area. As a classically
trained musician, she has been a performer in programs with several orchestral ensembles including the National Philharmonic, Richmond and Maryland Symphonies, Washington Ballet Orchestra, as well as chamber musician with the Kensington Park Duo, and recitalist for the Teatime Concert Series and St. Matthew’s Cathedral “In the City Series”.  She has also performed beyond traditional settings including a nationally televised PBS  special, “Peanuts Gallery (2006)” featuring works by composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, shows with the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and role as a violinist in an independent film 'Cohabit’ by director J. Kim. She is also dedicated to community outreach and has been involved with a project created by cellist, Jessica Sammis with the Community Hospices of Washington DC as well as performing for children in the public school systems not necessarily enrolled in their school music programs.  Shelley received her formal training at the Eastman School of Music (BM) with Charles Castleman and at Florida State University (MM) with Beth Newdome. 

  

As a student in the Washington DC area, her main teacher was Catherine Stewart and was a recipient of the Catherine Filene Shouse Scholarship at Wolf Trap, Maryland Distinguished Scholars Talent in the Arts, Brewster and Hood Competitions, and took part in MCYO, Maryland State and All Eastern Orchestras, holding many concertmaster, assistant and principal positions.   Summer festivals have included Eastern Music Festival, Heifetz Festival, National Orchestral Instituite, and Spoleto USA.  Her violin is also from England, by maker George Barton 1798.