String players from all Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD high school orchestras had the opportunity to work with Grammy Award-winning jazz violinist Scott Tixier, an associate professor and director at the University of North Texas.

The event transpired after Tixier connected with Mark Rohwer, CFBISD director of fine arts, to lead a workshop at Ranchview HS on Jan. 15. Teachings during the workshop focused on improvisation, jazz string playing and other unconventional performance techniques for string instruments. 

"Working with a successful professional musician is a pretty amazing thing," Rohwer said. "But what's most amazing is Scott's willingness to take time to visit with our students, tell his story and help them think outside of the box."

Tixier interacted directly with the students in small and large groups. He shared his background, musical style and the techniques he uses to create his music. Instead of a traditional lecture format, Tixier invited the students to join him on stage. This allowed them to observe him perform up close and receive hands-on explanations of his ideas and techniques.

"Jazz and improvisation are outside the comfort zone for most orchestra members," said Brian Towndrow, Ranchview HS orchestra instructor. "The students really enjoyed the experience of creating music on the fly, without music stands or rehearsals. It certainly doesn't hurt that Mr. Tixier is such a charismatic and engaging personality. The students were drawn in by his story and music right from the start."

About Scott Tixier: 

Scott Tixier is a five-time Grammy Award-winning French jazz violinist. He has performed, recorded and toured with such jazz legends and music icons as Stevie Wonder, Kenny Barron, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Ed Sheeran, Cassandra Wilson, Coldplay, Chris Potter, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Natalie Cole, Anthony Braxton, Ariana Grande, and many others.

In addition to performing in and out of the jazz world, Tixier is known for his work on motion picture scores such as "The Lion King," "John Wick," "Charlie's Angels," and TV shows including "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "Late Night with Seth Meyers," "America's Got Talent," and most recently with Netflix for Spike Lee's film "Da 5 Bloods" in collaboration with composer Terence Blanchard (2020).

In 2022, Tixier was the featured soloist for Jon Batiste's American Symphony premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York City.