The Greenwich Village Orchestra

Robert Hayden — Violin

Robert Hayden began studying the violin at age 10. Just a few years later he participated in the New York State School of Orchestral Studies where he was tutored by Norman Carroll, former concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Throughout his high school career he performed in numerous orchestras and music festivals and also participated in a European tour at age 16. At 17 he received a perfect score at the New York State School Music Association’s annual competition. Later that year he was selected to attend the illustrious Tanglewood Institute as a member of the Young Artist’s Orchestra where he performed under world-renowned conductors including Seiji Ozawa and Andre Previn. During his senior year of high school he served as concertmaster for several orchestras, and was the only student from his school to be selected to attend both the All State and All Eastern conference orchestras.

After high school he pursued a Music Performance degree at Boston University where he studied with Yuri Mazurkevich. He also attended the Chautauqua Institution music program, performing in the Music School Festival Orchestra. Additionally he performed in numerous chamber ensembles and master classes under world-famous pedagogues such as Joseph Silverstein and Sergiu Luca.

During the mid 1990’s he took a break from classical music to pursue his interests in songwriting. For several years he regularly performed at several Boston nightclubs, including Club Passim. He also had the opportunity to open for nationally-recognized artists such as Jen Trynin and Hamell on Trial. He released a solo CD in 1999.

Upon moving to New York several years ago he re-dedicated himself to his love for classical music by joining the Greenwich Village Orchestra’s first violin section in 2006. In August 2009 he was named as concertmaster of the Greenwich Village Orchestra. He also participates in numerous chamber music groups throughout New York.