Peter Ferreira (born Pedro M. Ferreira on March 13, 1970) Critically acclaimed concert violinist, recording artist and author, and has been a very active violinist since the age of 6. Greatly inspired by his grandfather who was himself a violinist. He entered the Conservatório Regional De Música in Coimbra, Portugal, where he studied with teacher Dário Peixoto and later made his concerto debut at age 8.
Peter Ferreira is described in Comunidades USA Magazine as one of the most celebrated Portuguese-born violinist of the modern era... Since a very young age, Peter spent his formative years training as a classical musician, surrounded by many of the violin masters of the ages. Although classically trained, Peter's crossover performances include music from the classical masterpieces to pop, rock, world music and Latin repertoire to name a few and as opted to "blend" the new and the old together. He is highly regarded as a virtuoso soloist on a symphonic stage, but equally as comfortable in front of a club audience with is band behind him. Ferreira has received various awards during his years in high school and college while studying with great violinists such as Joel Pitchon, Mara Milkis, Isaac Stern, Erick Friedman, and Joey Corpus. He as also participated in master classes with Pinchas Zukerman.
From J.S. Bach to Piazzolla, Peter's seasoned golden tone performances have an abundant hot Mediterranean influence, sure to captivate the audience!
As a soloist, Mr. Ferreira is praised for his beautiful tone, virtuosity and unforgettable heart-rending performances. He has performed at numerous concert venues and with various orchestras and ensembles in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe. He has performed as soloist and maintained the position of Concert Master or Assistant Concert Master for a number of professional orchestras in Connecticut and New York, and for the Nutmeg Opera Orchestra. He also founded the Dresden String Quartet in 1998, and performed as its first violinist through 2002.
Finally, Mr. Ferreira is an active freelance musician and composer. In 2003, one of his personal compositions was featured in a video documentary about the underwater exploration of the German U853 submarine which sank off the Rhode Island coast during World War II. As an independent artist, Mr. Ferreira teaches privately, lectures, and conducts master classes at different schools and through his private studio. He has also recorded numerous CDs, two of them in his own studio and now under his own independent record label AEMINIUM Records. In addition, he has been equally in demand as a soloist and recording artist. During the next season, Peter will continue to expand his presence on the concert stage with a series of important orchestral debuts and recital tours. Mr. Ferreira is also a published author and columnist for Mundo Portugues and Comunidades-USA Magazines. His books are available on Amazon and at other book retailers.
Contents |
The oldest of 2 children born to Renato Ferreira and Maria C. Ferreira, both of Portuguese descent, Peter Ferreira was raised a Roman Catholic in a humble, but, by his own account, happy home in Coimbra, Portugal. From an early age Ferreira had dreamed of being a concert violinist. In a 2010 interview with Mudo Portugues, he recalled, "I missed my grandfather very much... He was a violinist himself. ...I had one dream: I wanted to be a great violinist." At age 8, Peter performed his first concert at the music conservatory's recital hall.
Peter grew up listening to mainly classical music but has also stated he grew up listening to artists such as Queen, Janis Joplin, the Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Police and many others. He also was very inspired by violinists like David Oistrakh and Fritz Kreisler whom Ferreira's golden tone has often been compared to. His music has been influenced by numerous genres, including classical, rock, Portuguese traditional, Ástor Piazzolla and world music.
Peter Ferreira is married to Bee Suarez and they have three children, Carlos Ferreira, Lucas Ferreira and Oliver Ferreira.
Mr. Ferreira performs on a certified, early 19th century Jon. Bapt. Schweitzer violin.