Biography - Kevin Cook
​​​​​​​Establishing the Cape Town String Academy in 2012 is a total realisation of Kevin’s lifelong dream – to pass on his valuable knowledge and skills gained over the decades, to the next generation – enabling young talent to realise their full potential, and grow with others, in beautiful harmony.
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​​​​Kevin Cook was born in Chicago, Illinois where he received formal training in classical music. He studied under Almita and Roland Vamos at Western Illinois University and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (1986-89). Returning to Chicago he furthered his studies at the American Conservatory with violinist Elizabeth Matesky.
Finishing his studies Kevin received a position as principal 3rd violin in the world-renowned Mantovani Orchestra, spending two years in highly successful and sold-out tours of the United States and the Far East.
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In 1994, he came to South Africa, and after a successful audition was hired by the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. He spent the next ten years playing Symphonies, Operas and Ballets.​
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Since leaving the Cape Philharmonic, Kevin has been working throughout South Africa playing with groups such as the Johannesburg Music Initiative, the Natal Philharmonic, Camarata Tinta Barocca, and is currently the Concert Master of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic (ECPO).​
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Kevin is an active freelance teacher and ensemble coach in South Africa. He is currently teaching at Bishops Diocesan College, Herschel Girls High School, and most recently at Forres Preparatory School. While in the Eastern Cape he teaches for the ECPO Outreach Program.
​Kevin was first introduced to the Suzuki Method at the young age of 5 years. He was taught by his mother, Adrianna Cook, who for 25 years was the Director and violin teacher of the ​Suzuki Program ‘Music for Youth’ based in Chicago, Illinois.​
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As a child, Kevin attended ‘Suzuki Summer Camps’ at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point – where he was very fortunate to meet and receive Master Classes with Dr. Suzuki.
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Under his mother’s instruction and guidance, Kevin began teaching the Suzuki Repertoire at the age of 14 to pupils his mother would pass along to him.
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Kevin has since been inspired by what he has learned; having played, performed, and taught the entire Suzuki Repertoire – from Book 1 to Book 10.​​
Kevin with Dr. Suzuki