Darian Todd

Violist ~ Educator ~ Conductor

Darian Todd is a violist, violinist, and educator, who has been performing and teaching in Arizona and Oregon since 2008. Currently the orchestra teacher at Lake Oswego Junior High School and District Program Coordinator for Elementary Strings in the Lake Oswego School District, and conductor of the Portland Chamber Strings with Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Mr. Todd strives to provide students with the tools and skills necessary for an evolving and changing musical world; instill practices that create independent musicians; foster a love of life-long musicianship and sharing; and build a community of musicians who support their colleagues and respect their audiences. Mr. Todd has studied and worked with string pedagogues including David Rife, Dijana Ihas, Fritz Gearhart, Leslie Straka, and Lillian Manis, and holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Arizona, and a Master of Music in Music Performance with an emphasis in Violin and Viola Pedagogy from the University of Oregon. Performing highlights have included master class performances for Larry Dutton, Rebecca Fisher, and the Pacifica String Quartet, as well performing in musical pit orchestras for the Arizona Repertory Theatre. Through partnerships with Young Musicians and Artists, the Oregon Music Educators Association, and local symphony orchestras, Mr. Todd works to initiate more active involvement of students and parents in the artistic communities where he teaches, and advocates for the importance of music in our schools.