Isoa Chapman

Isoa Chapman is originally from New Zealand where he studied at Canterbury University with the Polish violinist Jan Tawroscewicz, first concertmaster of the Oslo Philharmonic. During his studies, Isoa toured and performed as a soloist and associate concertmaster alongside of Tawroscewicz in chamber orchestra performances. Isoa was for many years a member of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in New Zealand and worked and toured with the Auckland Philharmonic, as well.

Isoa obtained a Master’s Degree at the IWMC in Ireland where he studied with the celebrated German soloist Isabelle Faust as well as  Prof. Bruno Giuranna and Prof. Mauricio Fuks. At the invitation of Prof. I-Fu Wang, Isoa came to Michigan State University to receive a Doctorate of Musical Arts. There, he was the recipient of the Catherine Herrick Cobb Fellowship. 

As an educator, Isoa assisted with campus orchestra rehearsals as guest concertmaster at Michigan State University where he was also a Graduate Assistant. He has assisted in string programs at Okemos Schools and Waverly Schools String programs and is currently teaching privately and at Marshall Music Co. Michigan where he set up group lesson programs for beginners and adult students in 2010.

Isoa’s Teaching approach: I have a student centered approach leaning towards a non-judgmental teaching philosophy that draws from a wide spread of teaching resources. My teaching materials draw from traditional models such as Suzuki, Paul Rolland, Doflein, Barbara Barber, Wronski, Galamian, and are re-strategized to create a flexible system that prioritizes a balanced relationship between posture, sound quality, intonation and musicianship. 

Although I specialize in teaching repertoire form the Western classical canon of violin literature I have also performed and taught through most genres including American fiddle, Jazz, rock, pop, hip hop, country and some Indian classical music. If you want to learn a particular piece or style, please ask!