Kevin Rilling

Kevin Rilling is a lecturer in music theory and composition at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music, where he teaches undergraduate courses in written theory and aural skills, as well as music theory in Blair Academy, Blair's community music program.

A percussionist, he has performed with ensembles across Nashville, including the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Music City Brass Ensemble, and the W.O. Smith Community Orchestra.

He earned his Master of Music in Music Theory at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, where a teaching assistantship allowed him to teach undergraduate theory and aural skills under the guidance of Miguel Roig-Francolí, Samuel Ng, and David Carson Berry. He earned his Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Music Theory from Vanderbilt, where he studied percussion in the studio of Bill Wiggins.

Before joining the Blair faculty, he spent several years working as a luthier in Nashville, repairing and building violin-family instruments.

He holds a Diploma in Violin Repair from Minnesota State College. That hands-on knowledge of how instruments are made and cared for brings a practical perspective to GMI's goal of getting quality instruments into the hands of students who need them.