Meet the Visionary

Emilio, from a very early age, enjoyed listening to music and all the emotions it brought with it. His favorite memory was riding with his grandparents in their car, listening to music and singing along. These were back in the days before Houston traffic became what it is today and seatbelt laws. His room as a child was strewn with musical toys that he enjoyed playing with and making joyful noises with. At age 3, his mother enrolled him in Kindermusik, a music program for young children which introduced him to various instruments and styles of music. At age 6, he chose the instrument that would set him on a lifelong journey towards his love of string instruments. A family friend lent him a fractional-sized violin for him to start learning on. He enjoyed the violin; however, he found the music rather uninteresting. 

Emilio’s aunt introduced him to a friend who was part of a Celtic Rock Band in Dallas, The Killdares. The sound of Celtic Fiddle Music sparked his passion and ignited a strong desire to master the fiddle technique. He learned to play the fiddle by ear, and in 2002 he started lessons with Roberta Rast, the fiddle player from the Killdares. 

He would travel between Houston and Dallas for the lessons and furthering his musical journey. The Killdares had also gained a new roady in the process. All the while also studying classical music in Houston and going to school. He and Roberta would cover the world of music theory, Celtic, Rock, improv, Texas, and Contest Fiddling. This would lead him down the road to Contest Fiddling, where he would compete in various competitions associated with the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association. While he never won, he did place in the competitions. 

He made lifelong friends there and would stay up until the wee hours of the morning, jamming and hanging out with all his favorite musical friends! This would continue with his next adventure in fiddling. 

In 2004, Emilio attended the Blair School of Music’s Fiddle Camp, taught by Crystal Plohman at Vanderbilt University. She curated an expert list of teachers for her camp, which enabled Emilio to study with teachers such as Liz Carrol, Mark Wood, Daniel Carwile, Megan Lynch, and so many other amazing teachers. The opportunity brought him closer to his other fascination with electric violins. He did a small Texas tour with Mark Wood while still in High School. Emilio would also go on to study with other incredible fiddle players, such as Hanneke Cassel, Emerald Rae, and Mimi Rabson while he was in Boston. His Rock Fiddle aspirations drew him to Boston, where he studied at Berklee College of Music. During his time at Berklee, he would form his Celtic Rock band called Dublin Free Press. This band would tour the northeast and play at some of the most incredible venues that Boston had to offer. 

In his junior year of college, he started working for Johnson String Instrument in Newton, Mass. This is where his true appreciation for the instrument really took off. 

While at Johnson String Instrument, he became more familiar with instrument makers, seeing the variations in the wood, varnish, and craftsmanship. Sound is, in his opinion, the most important thing but there were still even more variables to discover. He then started looking at adjustments of rental instruments and learning measurements for the company. He would also test new strings, shoulder rests, and other various products. He had always been fascinated by how fittings and strings can change the entire sound quality of an instrument. Eventually, his time there would have to come to a close as he came back to Texas to be closer to family. 

For the next decade, Emilio would work in various violin shops around Houston but never really felt fulfilled working for these establishments. He then took the next step in his musical career and began freelancing and teaching for several years. He has taught over 100 students in various programs and privately. Since he started teaching in 2004. He joined the faculty of AFA (American Festival for the Arts) in the summer of 2019. After a successful private studio and Chamber Music coaching career, he realized he missed a vital part of his musical life, violin shop work. 

Emilio did not want to recreate what other shops around Houston were doing. He wanted to construct a shop that brought quality craftsmanship, sound, and even rare and collectible instruments and bows. Emilio felt as though Houston had a void to fill in the string instrument market. 

Through the years, Emilio has formed lasting vital relationships to aid in the curating of these instruments from many trusted colleagues. He put his passion and love of instruments and bows into what we would describe as Houston’s Destination Shop for Fine Violins, Violas, Cellos, & Bows. Fine Instrument Consulting was established by Emilio Arredondo officially in 2021 but has been brokering deals since early 2018, aside from the shops he was working in. 

During Covid, Emilio used the “down” time from teaching to begin his master’s program at the University of St. Thomas. He studied there with long-time friend, mentor, and Houston Symphony violinist Rodica Gonzalez. He was also part of the new string ensemble, Pluto Soundz. As a group, they have played Lights in the Heights, private events, and Houston Methodist Hospital. Emilio has also performed all over the United States with various artists and groups. One of the most fun groups he plays with is the Houston Latin American Philharmonic. They play about 3 or 4 concerts a year, and it’s such a different environment. He recently performed at a local physician’s 60th birthday party, who brought in so many amazing artists he grew up listening to. He performed with the singers of Kansas, REO Speed Wagon, Tiffany, and Alan Parsons. He continues to perform on weekends and evenings while maintaining the day-to-day operations of Fine Instrument Consulting. 

As an advocate for musicians all around the world. He resides on the boards of the Houston Professional Musicians Union Local 59-699, the DEI committee of Local 59-699, and on AFA’s DEI board as well. 

Emilio is a resident of historic Houston Heights and enjoys all the amazing food, culture, arts, and small walkable areas. He visits all different shops around the world looking for interesting string instrument makers and antique or rare instruments while educating himself on historical makers of bows and instruments. Because of Emilio’s venture into the sales of high-end instruments, he has decided to put teaching on the back burner. 

When he isn’t working, you can catch Emilio at your local trivia night, at new restaurant openings, or at any of the various coffee shops or outdoor patios, and, of course, going to concerts of all varieties.