“La Gitana” is Spanish for “The Gypsy” and it’s also the title of one of Fritz Kreisler’s most famous works.
For today’s Daily Joy, we’re sharing a fantastic performance of that piece by 16-year-old Iris Shepherd from Henry, TN. She’s joined by pianist, Dr. Caleb Harris.
Henry, Tennessee Iris will appear on Show 402, airing September 6, 2021. She previously appeared on From the Top’s Virtual Concert, “Fantastic Fiddlers”.
Iris Shepherd (violin), 16, lives in Henry, Tennessee and is a recipient of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. A student of Cornelia Heard at Vanderbilt University, she is a recipient of the Myra Jackson Blair Scholarship. Iris made her solo orchestral debut with the Georgia Philharmonic at age 12 and has since soloed with the Fairbanks Alaska Symphony Orchestra and the Curb Youth Symphony.
Iris is the 2021 Music Teachers National Association national winner in the senior strings category for 15-18 year old musicians. A three-time MTNA national finalist, she has won the Tennessee Division and Southern Division three consecutive years. Earlier in 2021, she won first prize in the Heart Out Piano and Strings Competition sponsored by the Miami Symphony. Previously, Iris won the Curb Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, the Tennessee American Strings Teachers’ Association (TNASTA) Competition, the Delta Symphony Concerto Competition and is a two-time prize winner in the Hilton Head Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition. In 2020, Iris performed four solo recitals in the Hilton Head Young Artist Performances Program.
Iris has performed in masterclasses with Stefan Jackiw, Paul Kantor, Brian Lewis, Rachel Barton Pine, Catharine Carroll Lees, and Ani Kavafian. Twice she attended the Brian Lewis Young Artist Summer Program, and for the 2020 summer, she was awarded a full fellowship for the Aspen International Musical Festival. Iris has served as concert master of various community and festival orchestras and is currently a member of Vanderbilt University’s Curb Youth Symphony.
Though her first love is classical music, she won the James G. “Bobo” Driver National Championship fiddle contest in 2017. Iris made her Grand Ole Opry stage debut during the summer of 2016, performing a featured solo as part of the Fine Arts Summer Academy. When Iris isn’t playing her violin, she enjoys shopping for unique finds at vintage stores, playing with her dog Aspen, and rock climbing.
Music has the unique ability to bring joy to our lives – especially in the hands of young people. Daily Joy is a reminder of music’s power to uplift, inspire, and unite.
Daily Joy is a project of From the Top. It began in the very early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues today to offer a much-needed respite from the anxiety and worry that we encounter in the world.
From the Top is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the stories and artistry of young musicians through media and leadership programs. Learn more.
From the Top is grateful to the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation for their generous support of Daily Joy.
Have questions? Email us at info@fromthetop.org.
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Daily Joy is a program of From the Top, an independent non-profit organization that relies on support from individuals. Your support will help ensure From the Top's work of celebrating the joy, talents, and stories of extraordinary young musicians.