Meet Xavier

Xavier Quinn brings over 14 years of cello performance and teaching experience, blending passion with personalized guidance.

Xavier is a cellist and educator originally from Chicago, Illinois. He began studying violin at age 4 with the Suzuki method and switched to cello in 5th grade. Before college, he was a student in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, Merit School of Music, and the People’s Music School studying with Michelle Morales and Paula Kosower. Mr. Quinn holds a Bachelor’s in Music  from Drake University and studied cello there with Dr. Ashley Sidon.

As a result of his arts experience, Mr. Quinn is committed to developing outreach and access to music and the arts at all levels. He currently serves as President of the Iowa String Teachers association and Education Chair for the Zenith Chamber Music Festival Board. Mr. Quinn  is currently an orchestra director at Valley and Valley Southwoods Freshman High Schools, and has taught 4-8th grades in the West Des Moines Community Schools He maintains an independent and Des Moines Symphony Academy cello studio, as well as a youth cello ensemble. In 2024, he was awarded the Leopold La Fosse Studio Teacher Award. Mr. Quinn has been an honor orchestra clinician and actively performs in the community with ensembles such as the Des Moines Symphony and Simpson Community Orchestra,  and is an avid gigging chamber musician.

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