Sean Claire, Violin
Fast Facts
Principal 2nd violin & Associate Concertmaster of the Knoxville Symphony
Performed in string section for tracks for The Rolling Stones
Performs for Music and Wellness, awarded the Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service by the League of American Orchestras
Since 1990, Sean Claire has been a member of the Core of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra; during his tenure he has served in a variety of roles including Acting Principal Second Violin and Acting Associate Concertmaster, which included an extended period as Concertmaster. He has appeared as soloist with the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra numerous times and also holds the distinction of being the first of a select group of solo performers in the KSO’s Music and Wellness program. For his work in Music and Wellness, Claire was one of five musicians nationwide awarded the Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service by the League of American Orchestras in 2021. In addition, Claire holds the position of Concertmaster with the Symphony of the Mountains (Kingsport, TN) and has appeared with them several times as soloist. His position at the Symphony of the Mountains, along with his extensive orchestral and teaching experience, led to a temporary position at East Tennessee State University (2015-16) as Instructor of Violin and Viola, and Chamber Music Coach. Some of his other orchestral credits include, Nashville Chamber Orchestra (TN), the Bryan Symphony Orchestra in Cookeville (TN), the Syracuse Symphony (NY), and the Asheville Symphony (NC).
Claire is an active chamber musician, studio musician, and recitalist. He has performed numerous recitals and chamber programs in the East Tennessee area including Knoxville Symphony’s Concertmaster and Friends series, Lincoln Memorial University, Classics at the Laurel Theater, Knoxville Pro Musica, St John’s Cathedral, University of Tennessee Knoxville Guest Artist Recital Series, and Oak Ridge Coffee Concerts. He has enjoyed summering at various music festivals such as the Oregon Coast Festival (OR), the Bear Valley Music Festival (CA), and the Crested Butte Music Festival (CO). In the last several years he has been a regular performer with the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, collaborating with many internationally known artists. He is also a founding member of the Sally Miner String Quartet and the Knoxville String Quartet. He recently has begun frequent recording studio collaborations with cellist and crossover artist Dave Eggar, creating string sections for various artists such as Rolling Stones, Stone Temple Pilots, Dana and the Wolf, Aloe Blacc, and others.
A native of California, Claire began his studies at age 11, and subsequently made his first solo appearance with the North Coast Symphony at the age of 15. At the age of 16, he was admitted to San Diego State University with a full scholarship to study with Professor Michael Tseitlin. During the next three years he placed highly in several competitions including the La Jolla Young Artists Competition, which included a solo appearance with the La Jolla Civic Orchestra, and the Musical Merit Competition of Greater San Diego, which included a fellowship to the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. He then continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA with renowned Professor Zvi Zeitlin.
Claire lives in Knoxville with his wife Stacy where they enjoy such activities as cycling, yoga, chess, cooking, and weight training. He is also an avid downhill skier and mountain/road cyclist.