Music and Musicians

Musician Biography

Gabriel Schlaffer

Gabriel Schlaffer graduated from the New England Conservatory with a Bachelor's degree in Violin and Viola Performance, and earned his Master's degree at DePaul University. He has studied with Margaret Baldridge, James Buswell, Keith Conant, Rami Solomonow, and Marcus Thompson. Currently in his eighth season as Principal Viola with the South Bend (IN) Symphony, Gabriel also performs regularly with the Alabama, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa Symphonies. He has also performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Elgin, Missoula, New World, Northwest Indiana, and Rockford Symphonies. As a recitalist and chamber musician, Gabriel has performed in Boston, Chicago, England, France, and Japan.

In his spare time, Gabriel loves playing Scrabble and Sudoku, flying kites, watching movies, and sampling various cuisines. He also enjoys taking road trips, participating in late night extended chamber music reading sessions with friends, and spending time with his two cats, Lily and Figaro. He grew up in Missoula, Montana and now lives in Birmingham with his wife Machiko, who performs as assistant principal oboist with the Alabama Symphony.