Dr. Alvoy Bryan Jr.

Dr. Alvoy Bryan Jr. is a violist, violinist, and conductor. A native of Decatur, G.A., he began studying the violin at age ten, and viola at age eighteen. His early music experiences include being an alumni of William Grant Still Memorial Youth Orchestra (Currently Still Strings), Dekalb Youth Pop Orchestra, Dekalb Youth Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. His formal music education includes a B.M. in music performance from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), a M.M. in music performance from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a D.M.A. in music performance from the University of South Carolina. Some of his principal teachers include Shirley Cartman, David Robinson, Chester Griffin, Kimbraly Grimes, Ronda Respess (Joseph Gingold student), Mimi Zweig, Dr. Scott Rawls, Frits De Jonge, and Ryan Kho (Dorothy Delay student).

Dr. Bryan has over 19 years of conducting experience. He has conducted string, chamber, and symphony orchestra. He has taught orchestra on all academic levels in South Carolina (elementary through college). Dr. Bryan has served as guest conductor for the University of South Carolina Chamber Orchestra. He has served as Director for the Chamber Orchestra at Presbyterian College, String Ensemble at Benedict College, String Ensemble at South Carolina State University, and Chamber Ensemble at Allen University. He has also served as an orchestra teacher at Cardinal Newman High School (private catholic school), and in Richland One and Richland Two School Districts in South Carolina. He was a guest conductor for Richland One School District Middle School Honor Orchestra in 2007. Dr. Bryan has also served as guest orchestra clinician throughout the Southern Region in the United States, and recently served as a guest clinician for the South Carolina American Strings Teachers Association Workshops in 2023 and 2024.

Dr. Bryan has over 22 years experience as a professional orchestral and chamber musician. He is a member of Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra (principal viola), Western Piedmont Symphony (principal viola), Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra (section viola and violin). Additional orchestras include: Aiken Symphony Orchestra (former principal viola), Augusta Symphony Orchestra (section viola and violin), Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Danville Symphony, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Long Bay Symphony, and Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra. As a professional chamber musician, Dr. Bryan has performed in Europe and South America. He served as the violist in the Atlantis String Quartet, is the founding member of the Gervais String Quartet and Bryan Chamber Ensemble. Dr. Bryan has also served as principal viola with The Palmetto Opera Orchestra (Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Rigoletto, etc.). He has served as violist and violinist in the pit orchestra for several broadway shows (Temptations: Ain’t Too Proud, Funny Girl, Into The Woods, etc.) in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC.

Dr. Bryan has a very extensive background in higher education. He has served on the faculties at Allen University (Associate Professor and Chair of Music Department), Benedict College (Music Department Coordinator), South Carolina State University, Claflin University, Presbyterian College, and Webster University. Dr. Bryan has made a life long commitment to teaching young persons how to become professional orchestral musicians and music educators. Several of his students have earned masters and doctorate degrees in music, and are currently teaching music in elementary, middle, high school, and college throughout the nation.