VANESSA MOSS
Performer & Pedagogue
Violinist Vanessa Moss
Brings impactful phrases, lyrical sound, and a spirit of camaraderie to every workplace. For her, the process matters most: weaving exploration, discipline, and humanity into musical performance.
As a performer…
Vanessa serves as Concertmaster of the Walla Walla Symphony and the Mid-Columbia Symphony, and as violinist with the Glass House String Quartet and the Yakima Symphony Orchestra.
She was the founder and Artistic Director of Sempre Chamber Music, a chamber series that reimagined itself during the pandemic through streamed concerts in collaboration with Pat Strosahl (1947–2022) and The Seasons Performance Hall.
She enjoys performing with organizations that connect their work meaningfully to their communities, including the Northwest Sinfonietta, Yakima Music en Acción, and the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival. She also regularly appears with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and in Candlelight performances in Seattle, Spokane, Bellingham, and Yakima.
An enthusiastic educator…
Ms. Moss runs Moss Violin Studio based in Ellensburg, WA.
She cultivates determination, creativity, and a view of music as both discipline and joy. Her students regularly win concerto competitions, advance to State Solo and Ensemble, and have gone on to study music at the collegiate level.
Her teaching is inextricably shaped by her own teachers including Katrin St. Clair, Rhonda Marsh, Carrie Rehkopf-Michel, and mentorship from Denise Dillenbeck. Vanessa regularly seeks inspiration and further training from resources including Mimi Zweig’s String Pedagogy, Elise Winters, and the Juilliard Delay Symposium.
Outside of music…
She is an adventurer transfixed by the outdoors. Recent pursuits include trekking the 93‑mile Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier and a 15‑day rafting trip playing string quartets through the Grand Canyon.
Vanessa takes any opportunity to embrace presence and honesty, whether while backpacking in the wilderness, running long distances, or performing on stage. Vanessa lives in Ellensburg, WA with her percussionist husband Joshua Gianola, their black lab Gilly, and two quarrelling cats.
Bookings & Services
Performances
Are you wanting solo violin, chamber groups, or even a small orchestra for your event?
Whether for weddings, private gatherings, or intimate house-concert programming, Vanessa curates music and ensembles with warmth, intentionality, and a high standard of artistry.
Moss Violin Studio
Student centered education that build life-long skills while studying the violin!
Curriculum includes weekly private lessons, performance classes, and formal recitals. Drop-in and extra lessons available at hourly rate for adult students.
Testimonials
“Vanessa is a wonderful violin teacher and person. She is patient, kind, encouraging and gives my daughter the perfect amount of challenge.
She is very much in tune with my daughter’s abilities as well as needs.”
― Kelly K., Parent
“Ms. Moss has inspired me in so many ways. I could never have made it where I am today without such a kind, funny, and driven person pushing me not only a better musician, but a better person, and that’s some thing I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
― Anthony Marquez, Student
“Vanessa has been a wonderful violin teacher to my kids. She is a great violinist and well-organized teacher!
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Vanessa tried to find the best way to teach and found what worked best. Vanessa is very dedicated in teaching and deeply cares for her students!”
― Maureen Kim, Parent
Collaborators
Glass House String Quartet
Contact
If interested in private lessons, please view information on the Studio page.
