Violinist Brian Benning

Violinist Brian Benning is the son of violin makers Hans and Nancy Benning and the brother of violin maker Eric. Brian plays and performs on a violin crafted with his own hands, and is also an accomplished teacher, pianist, and singer. Brian has performed with Clay Aiken, Josh Groban, Susan Boyle, and Demi Lovato, and has recorded with Barry Manilow, Justin Timberlake, Bette Midler, Neil Diamond, Prince, Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Toni Braxton, Beyoncé, and Norah Jones. He has appeared on stage with Anjelica Huston and Sir Ben Kingsley, and served as piano coach to Jack Nicholson for the 1996 film As Good as It Gets. Brian can be heard on countless movie and television soundtracks including Joyful Noise, Spider-Man 3, This Is It, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, America’s Got Talent, and Ally McBeal. He has performed as a violinist with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, and American Youth Symphony, and as a vocalist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. After 25 years of private study with teachers including Robert Lipsett, Endre Granat, and Mike Ferril, Brian has become a vital part of the diverse Los Angeles music scene.