Louis teaches viola and coaches chamber music groups.
Louis Privitera took home his first viola when he was eight years old because the shop had run out of cellos. To his surprise, he fell in love with the instrument, and has since cultivated an exciting and diverse career as a performing musician and educator. A proud product of a public-school music program, Louis now engages his students and audiences by advocating for music as a tool for inclusivity and creativity.
Louis was a founding member of the Tetra String Quartet, an ensemble dedicated to combining performance with public service. During his eleven-year tenure, Louis was at the forefront of creating meaningful musical experiences for underserved communities, including Azure Family Concerts for children with autism, workshops for youth in juvenile detention facilities, and concerts for veterans at the Phoenix VA Hospital. While on a concert tour of Texas, Louis had the opportunity to perform at the Cleveland Correctional Center — a performance that was one of the most memorable experiences of his musical life. After the concert, Louis shook hands and talked with an inmate who had not heard live music in over twenty years. This emotional interaction cemented his belief that all communities deserve access to music — and that it is a musician’s responsibility to curate relevant, holistic, and enlightening experiences for all who listen.
A passionate educator, Louis maintains a private viola studio that caters to students of all ages. Louis’s teaching philosophy stems from the belief that every student can learn an instrument if they are provided with the right tools and a supportive environment. He encourages his students to focus on the process of learning instead of the finish line, emphasizing that excellence isn’t defined by perfection. Beyond private teaching, Louis was a Faculty Associate in chamber music at Arizona State University, Co-director and Educational Coordinator of the Arizona Violacademy, and was on faculty at Arizona School for the Arts and Rosie’s House, an after-school music academy that serves underprivileged youth.
In 2018, Louis was named by The Arizona Republic as one of twenty-four emerging leaders in the arts, citing how “his groundbreaking work has redefined the role of classical music in the community.” He has presented his unique perspective on music education and community involvement through speaking engagements at Stanford University’s Summer Arts Institute's course, "Why Music Matters," and the Tedx Arrowhead Ranch event “Act Today... Change Tomorrow!” At his core, Louis is most interested in how musicians can evolve to meet the needs of an ever-changing society. This passion has led him to the American String Teachers Association National Conference where he has presented sessions on the interdisciplinary benefits of teaching chamber music and entrepreneurship for the twenty-first century musician.
Louis Privitera is currently based in St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Music degree from The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. He is forever grateful to his teachers, including Cynthia Dubrow, who ignited the spark; Nancy Buck, who taught him to expect more of himself; and Victoria Chiang, who made it all make sense.