Dr. Quinton Morris
Dr. Quinton Morris enjoys a multifaceted career as a violinist, educator, entrepreneur, and filmmaker. He has performed and given master classes around the world including venues at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, The Louvre Museum, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Seattle Symphony Orchestras, the University of Paris at Dauphine, Dong-Eui University (Korea), Monash University (Australia), The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and the National Taiwan Normal University, among many others.
Biography
Dr. Morris is the executive director and founder of Key to Change, a non-profit violin and viola studio serving South King County that focuses on creating opportunities for young musicians of color and those from underserved, lower socio-economic backgrounds. Students enrolled in the program have won local awards, appeared as concert soloists with the Seattle Symphony and other regional symphony orchestras, and performed for Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States.
Dr. Morris is the executive director and founder of Key to Change, a non-profit violin and viola studio serving middle and high school students from South King County that focuses on providing learning opportunities for young musicians of color. Thousands of students from underserved communities and lower socio-economic backgrounds have received world-class music instruction under his tutelage. Students enrolled in Key to Change have made their concerto debuts with the Seattle Symphony and other regional symphony orchestras, performed for Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, and won numerous local competitions and awards.
Teaching Philosophy
“As an educator I strive to connect students with the art of music-making and performance, giving them the tools and support they need in order to grow as artists. Throughout my lessons, I help cultivate a spirit of confidence and innovation that will serve students in both their creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. My passion for teaching shines through in my commitment to helping students achieve success on whichever educational voyage they choose in life.”
Accolades
Dr. Morris is the recipient of numerous teaching awards including the Pathfinder Award from the Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa, The Boston Conservatory at Berklee Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Outstanding Studio Teacher Award by the Washington State Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Seattle Magazine recently recognized him as a “Most Influential Educator” in their January/February issue 2024.
Dr. Morris is the Professor of Music – Violin at Seattle University. He is the first Black man to receive the rank of Professor in any academic field in Seattle University’s College of Arts & Sciences, and is the second living Black violinist in United States history with the title. The role of Professor is the highest rank in academia, which is only held by 29% of university faculty nationwide.
He holds a doctorate in violin performance from the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Daniel Ching, the first violinist in the Miro Quartet.
