Eric Gratz joined the Music Institute’s violin and chamber music faculty in March 2026. He earned a bachelor of music degree in violin performance at Cleveland Institute of Music and a master of music degree in violin performance at Rice University Shepherd School of Music. He is director of the American Chamber Music Society in Chicago. He previously served for nine seasons as concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony. As both soloist and orchestral leader, he has appeared with more than two dozen orchestras, including those of Cleveland, Louisiana, Phoenix, San Antonio, Tucson, Santa Fe Opera, and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Equally at home performing complete Bach Brandenburg cycles with Jeannette Sorrell as he is championing modern concerti by Kurt Weill, Béla Bartók, and Alvin Etler, his musical activities are quite varied.


He made his Kennedy Center recital debut at age 17 and has since appeared on many major series, including Austin Chamber Music, Mainly Mozart Festival, Maui Classical Music Festival, Cactus Pear Festival, Castleton Festival, Frankly Music, Chatter PDX, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, and Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts, performing with artists such as Vadim Gluzman, Orion Weiss, Anton Nel, and members of the Pacifica, Vertavo, Mendelssohn, Formosa, Rosamunde, and Fine Arts Quartets. He is also a prolific recording artist, with two albums scheduled for release in 2026 on Centaur and Divine Art labels.
He is also on faculty at North Central College and on the summer faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp as a Valade Concertmaster. A familiar face on digital platforms, he has recorded several TONEBASE Violin courses on music by Beethoven, Kreisler, and YsaĂże.
Master of Music, Violin Performance, Rice University Shepherd School of Music
Bachelor of Music, Violin Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music
Recordings
Two albums scheduled for release in 2026 on Centaur and Divine Art labels
I believe that every student is unique, with an individual musical voice waiting to be discovered and cultivated. My role as a teacher is to guide that process—to help each student uncover and develop their own artistic identity rather than simply shaping them into a reflection of my own.


To that end, I draw on a wide range of exercises, method books, and repertoire, tailoring my approach to the needs, interests, and goals of each student. At the same time, I maintain a thoughtful and structured progression of technical development alongside an ever-deepening sense of musical expression.


True understanding takes time. Throughout two decades of teaching, I have developed both the patience and the flexibility to approach challenges from multiple angles, always with the aim of building confidence and fostering a genuine sense of ownership in my students’ playing.


Coming from a family of educators, I view teaching not only as a profession but as a calling. It is a privilege to share what I have learned and to support the growth of each student, both as a musician and as an individual.
Director, American Chamber Music Society in Chicago
Previously Concertmaster, San Antonio Symphony
Faculty, North Central College
Summer faculty—Valade Concertmaster, Interlochen Arts Camp
I’m a huge fan of movies, standup comedy, photography, sports, and discovering new restaurants.