A native of the Minneapolis area, Erin Kaste began studying violin at the age of three.  She graduated with highest distinction from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied violin performance with Charles Castleman and Suzuki pedagogy with Anastasia Jempelis. 

Prior to her arrival in Memphis, she taught orchestra and Suzuki violin in the Ector County (TX) school district.  While living in Texas, she served as assistant concertmaster of the Midland/Odessa Symphony, performed with the Big Spring Symphony and the Symphony of the Southwest, and learned about many interesting creatures, including roadrunners, scorpions, horned frogs, and tarantulas.

In addition to her position in the MSO's second violin section, Erin is the orchestra's Assistant Music Librarian, and often can be seen in front of the photocopier or placing the Maestro's scores during concerts. 

Erin Kaste, Violin

First Season with the MSO: 1996-1997

For several years, Erin taught in the University of Memphis Suzuki String program, and currently returns each summer as assistant director of the Memphis Suzuki Institute.

In past years, she has spent summers performing orchestral and chamber music with the Tennessee Summer Symphony, the Music at Penn's Woods Festival in State College, PA, the Ohio Light Opera, and at the Quartet Program.  Recently, she has spent most of her summers on car trips and playing with her partner, MSO Music Librarian Betsy Carter, and their wonderful children, Alex and Jordan.

Some Facts About Erin

Hobbies:  running (5K, marathon, everything in between), swimming, hiking, gardening, writing

If she weren't a musician, she'd: want to either be a forensic scientist or a forest ranger

What she's reading now: re-reading the Harry Potter series; Curious George, Amelia Bedelia

Favorite vacation: Cabin "camping" in state parks - we'll go back to tent camping when our youngest is no longer the size of a tasty morsel

Worst non-musical job she's held: A 7pm-7am shift boxing hardware store circulars off the press at a print shop.  Monotonous, lots of heavy lifting, and always the threat of shutting down the whole production line by getting behind.

Most influential teacher: One of my teachers as a high school student in Minnesota, Mary West.  She was a tremendously insightful and supportive teacher, and an amazing human being as well.  As a young violinist, she performed for FDR at the White House, and taught (and swam every day) until passing away recently at the age of 97.

Earliest musical memory:  Arguing with my mother about practicing.

Favorite composer: Brahms

What she listens to in the car: Currently on the disc changer: Cleveland Quartet playing Brahms, baroque music for two trumpets, Paul Simon "Negotiations and Love Songs," Suzuki Violin School book 1, Schoolhouse Rock (the grammar one), and our kids' lullaby disc, also known as "Bong bong bong."

What she enjoys most about performing: That it is spontaneous and unpredictable, and because of that, each musician must remain connected to the music both intellectually and emotionally throughout an entire program.  That's kind of daunting, but the energy that comes from this focus is what makes live music exciting for audiences.