Violinist Evelyn Holmes, born December 8th, 2007 in Austin, Texas, grew up in an arts-rich family of dancers and musicians. She began her artistic journey in dance by studying ballet, tap, Bharata Natyam, and jazz. She began violin lessons at age eight and started training with Destiny Mermagen, who she continues to study with today.

Evelyn has received numerous honors including a full scholarship as concertmaster for the Junior Heartland Chamber Music Festival and concertmaster during her year in the Youth Symphony of Kansas City’s Academy Orchestra. Evelyn is a recipient of the Koch Family Foundation Cultural Trust Grant. She has participated in the Heartland Chamber Music Festival for two years and competed as a finalist at the Mid America Performing Arts Alliance. She is concertmaster of Shawnee Mission East’s most advanced orchestra class and a current member of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City’s Symphony Orchestra. Evelyn is also currently a member of the Friends of Chamber Music and Heartland Young Artist Project, where she performs with her group, the Whisper Trio.

In early 2022, Evelyn entered the Young Artist Competition and performed a concerto as a soloist with the Overland Park Orchestra. She is a member of the Kansas City community arts organization Prairie Classical, where she regularly performs as soloist and chamber musician. She was recently spotlighted as a Young Artist on a KPR public radio broadcast, celebrating their 70th anniversary, and in the summer of 2023 she performed in Carnegie Hall with YSKC.  

Evelyn hopes to continue her musical journey and someday enter music professionally as a violinist.