Brian Isaacs

American violist Brian Isaacs is a prizewinner of international viola competitions including Rostal (2. Prize & all special prizes), Markneukirchen (3. Prize), and Nedbal (3. Prize & Martinů Prize). He has also received awards and prizes from institutions such as the Verbier Festival Academy, Yale University, and Frank Huntington Beebe Fund.  

An avid chamber musician, Brian’s recent festival appearances include Boscobel, Four Seasons, Gstaad String Academy, La Jolla SummerFest, Marlboro, Methow Valley, NUME, CMS Palm Beach, Taos, Thy, Tonhain Kollektiv, Verbier Festival Academy, Viridian Strings, and Yellow Barn.

During his two seasons as a scholar in the Karajan-Akademie der Berliner Philharmoniker, Brian was mentored by Sebastian Krunnies. He participated in numerous performances of the Berliner Philharmoniker, including tours within Europe and the USA. He has also performed as guest principal violist with Les Musiciens du Louvre, as guest co-principal with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a substitute with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

He completed his Konzertexamen at HfMDK Frankfurt in the studio of Tabea Zimmermann, and was simultaneously a member of the Karajan-Akademie der Berliner Philharmoniker. He received his MM in Viola Performance at Yale University, studying with Ettore Causa, as well as his BA in Sociology. Brian plays on a modern viola made by Douglas Cox in Vermont, USA.

Brian studies at the Kronberg Academy with Tabea Zimmermann since October 2025. Her studies are funded by the Yehudi Menuhin patronage.