Full Biography

Award-winning violinist Gary Capozziello enjoys a varied musical life as both highly versatile performer and educator. Applauded for his “inspired ferocity” (Millbrook Independent), Gary has been recognized in the media by WTNH, The Hartford Courant, Broadwayworld.com and the American League of Orchestras (symphony.org.). His recent concerto appearances have included concerts with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Civic, American Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Symphony, Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra and the Torrington Symphony. Capozziello’s online recital series "Help Me Create a Covid Relief Fund" raised grant funds for struggling musicians during the height of the pandemic, leading to receiving a Musician Service Award granted by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Gary has also received the Jerry Malafronte Award for Musical Excellence, the Peter/Wright Music Memorial and top prize at the Paranov Concerto Competition. He was featured in Hartford Magazine’s 2018 issue “Inspired: A Renaissance of Young Artists,” and he currently holds a sponsored chair in the Hartford Symphony.

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As a founder of chamber ensembles as well as organizations, Gary has performed in concert halls, chamber series’ and music festivals throughout North America, Europe, China and Hong Kong. As the artistic director of the International American Classical Music Festival and the Hartford Classical Music Academy, Gary toured China's eastern seaboard performing concerts and giving masterclasses, while also fostering the next generation of young Chinese artists wishing to study abroad. He has performed at festivals such as the Kneisel Hall Chamber Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, the Cambridge International Music Academy (UK), Music from Salem, Ode to Joy, and the Texas Music Festival, along with performances in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, Kings College Chapel and Lyric Hall. Gary founded the Atlas Piano Trio in 2016, and the Kara String Quartet in 2018, and has performed for Music for a 1000 Children and #1000 strings in Ottawa, Canada. 

 

Gary studied at SUNY-Purchase Conservatory (B.M.), the New England Conservatory (M.M.) and at the Hartt School (DMA), studying with Laurie Smukler, Lucy Chapman, Nick Kitchen and Katie Lansdale. Gary is currently associate faculty at the Hotchkiss School and Professor of Violin at Quinnipiac University, and has given masterclasses at schools such as Boston Conservatory, The Hartt School, SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, and Central China Normal University.