Vanessa Moss is a tenacious performer, educator, and orchestral leader who has built a diverse musical career. Born and raised in the Northwest, she holds leadership roles across Washington state. Ms. Moss serves as concertmaster of the Walla Walla and Mid-Columbia Symphony Orchestras and as violinist with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. She is the founder and curator of Sempre Chamber Music, a repertory ensemble of musicians performing in the inland Northwest.

She has appeared as soloist with the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Columbia Symphony, and the Twisp Chamber Players. Recent performances include Vaughan Williams’ Lark Ascending, Astor Piazzola’s Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons) concerti, and Saint-Saëns’ La Muse et la Poète Duo Concerto for Violin and Cello. As a chamber musician, she has been featured in recitals with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra and the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival.

Vanessa enjoys any opportunity to travel and share music with new friends on stage and off. She regularly performs with the Northwest Sinfonietta, Spokane Symphony Orchestra, and the McCall Music Festival. International tours include South Korea with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and China with the American Festival Orchestra. By far, her favorite venue has been the Grand Canyon, playing string quartets throughout the canyon and while rafting down the Colorado River.

Ms. Moss is an enthusiastic teacher to students of all stages. She has taught in El Sistema-inspired programs, BRAVO Youth Orchestras in Portland, OR, and Yakima Music en Acción in Yakima, WA, and has been faculty at summer camps including Icicle Creek Summer Symphony and Pipestone Music Festival. Her teaching has been heavily influenced by Mimi Zweig at Indiana University and she pursued pedagogical development at the Starling-Delay Symposium at the Juilliard School. Ms. Moss teaches a private studio of dedicated students, many of whom have achieved notable success. Students of Ms. Moss have won concerto competitions, competed at State Solo and Ensemble, and gone on to  study music collegiately.

When a violin isn’t in her hands, Vanessa spends as much time outside as possible. She lives in Ellensburg with her percussionist husband, Josh Gianola, where they work to provide for the cat’s lifestyle.