«Keyreel is world class as a violinist and composer. He has a passion for Celtic music both Irish and Scottish and both his solo performance and his sets with The Wallace Band had audiences in Scotland in total awe of his talent. And I am very proud to have had the pleasure of performing alongside him.»
About
KeyReel is a professional violinist, composer, and multi-faceted musician based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas. With a strong classical foundation and extensive international performance experience, his work spans solo and chamber performance, orchestral music, jazz improvisation, exploration of the modern violin, composition, and arranging. His performing background also includes traditional music and fiddle.
His artistic approach combines a deep appreciation of diverse musical traditions with curiosity, experimentation, and a continuous search for new forms of musical expression. Alongside his performing career, KeyReel composes for a variety of instrumental ensembles, creates original arrangements, and develops his own creative projects.
While KeyReel maintains several music-related projects and dedicated websites, this site brings together the different dimensions of his artistic identity, offering a broader picture of his work, musical interests, and creative journey.
Explore the sections below to discover the different facets of KeyReel’s musical world.
Classical & Chamber Music
Musical Education
KeyReel began his formal musical education at the age of seven at Children’s Music School No. 2 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Two years later, he continued his studies at the V. A. Uspensky Republican Special Music School, one of Uzbekistan’s leading institutions for gifted young musicians. His curriculum included violin performance, music composition, and symphony conducting. These early studies provided the broad musical foundation that would shape his career as both a performer and a composer. His artistic development was influenced by several distinguished teachers, including I. I. Chupikova, D. D. Amanullaeva, V. B. Neymer, and Mark Borisovich Usak.
In 2000, KeyReel was admitted to the Gnesins’ Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, where he studied violin with Professor Kh. Akhtyamova and chamber music with Professor Valentin Berlinsky, founder of the renowned Borodin String Quartet. He graduated in 2005 with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Violin Performance and Pedagogy.
In 2015, KeyReel continued his professional studies at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas, under the guidance of Dr. Elisabeth Adkins. In 2018, he received his Artist Diploma in Violin Performance.
Solo & Chamber Music
KeyReel has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician throughout North America and Europe. His concert appearances include solo recitals at the Gnesins’ Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and Texas Christian University, as well as performances with chamber orchestras and ensembles.
His chamber music experience includes membership in the InTono String Quartet (2005–2006), Just Enjoy String Quartet in Moscow (2006–2009), and the Odysseus Chamber Music Ensemble in Texas (2016–2018). In 2005, he also participated in international chamber music festivals in the Netherlands and France, including the Orlando Festival in Kerkrade and the Festival of Chamber Music in Poitiers. That same year, he toured several cities in Belgium with the InTono Quartet.
Among his notable performances is his original composition Images, written for five-string violin, harpsichord, and strings. The work premiered at Texas Christian University in 2016 and was performed again at Church Street Auditorium in McKinney, Texas, in 2019.
Orchestral Career
Throughout his professional career, KeyReel has held various orchestral positions in Russia and the United States, ranging from section violinist to concertmaster and principal second violin.
His professional experience includes performances with the Russian State Symphony Cinema Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Pavel Slobodkin Moscow Theater and Concert Center, and the Central Concert Orchestra of Police in Moscow.
In the United States, KeyReel served as Concertmaster of the Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra from 2015 to 2017 and as Principal Second Violin of the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra from 2018 to 2019. His subsequent orchestral work in the Dallas–Fort Worth area has included the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra and Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, along with other regional orchestras, both as a regular and guest performer.
Conducting & Teaching
Alongside his violin studies, KeyReel received formal training in symphony conducting at the Uspensky Music School. In 1999–2000, he conducted the school’s orchestra in performances at major concert venues in Tashkent, including the Tashkent State Conservatory, Tashkent State Philharmonic, and the Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theatre of Uzbekistan.
His teaching career spans private instruction, chamber music coaching, and educational programs in Russia and the United States. He has taught at McKinney Summer Music Intensive, Fort Worth Country Day School, Faubion Middle School, and the B-Sharp Youth Music Program in Fort Worth. He has also worked with young musicians through various summer music programs and ensemble initiatives.
KeyReel is the founder and director of North Texas Celtic Strings, an educational program based on the learn-by-ear approach and dedicated to teaching traditional melodies. He also maintains a private violin studio. His teaching experience dates back to 2007 and includes work in music schools throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area as well as private instruction.
Awards & Recognition
Among KeyReel’s early achievements are laureate awards in violin competitions in Uzbekistan in 1995 and 1999. In 2005, he received a scholarship supporting a concert tour of Belgium with the InTono Quartet.
His professional development has also included participation in international chamber music festivals, masterclasses, and educational programs throughout Europe.
5-String Acoustic & Electric Violin
Five-String Acoustic Violin
In 2013, KeyReel commissioned and received a custom-made five-string acoustic violin. The additional low C string extended the instrument’s traditional range, opening up new possibilities for both solo performance and ensemble playing.
The five-string violin quickly became an important part of his musical career. During that period, traditional music was a major focus of his performing activities, and he used the instrument across a wide variety of musical styles.
In addition to his extensive involvement in Irish and Scottish traditions (see the Celtic Fiddle section), KeyReel explored the instrument’s possibilities in other genres. In particular, while performing with the Moscow-based bluegrass ensemble Red Brick Boys, he used the extended range of the violin to play bass lines, rhythmic chops, and other distinctive accompaniment patterns. The additional low string allowed him to move beyond the traditional melodic role of the violin and contribute to the rhythmic and harmonic foundation of the ensemble.
Five-String Violin: Solo Recital (2016)
In 2016, KeyReel presented a solo recital at Texas Christian University dedicated entirely to the five-string acoustic violin. The program demonstrated the instrument’s remarkable versatility, bringing together classical repertoire, traditional music, and original composition.
The recital included J. S. Bach’s Cello Suite No. 6, the viola part from Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, KeyReel’s original composition Images for five-string violin, harpsichord, and strings, as well as traditional fiddle music.
This recital became one of KeyReel’s first major explorations of combining different musical traditions within a single solo program. The five-string violin was presented not simply as an extended-range instrument, but as a versatile means of musical expression capable of bringing together diverse performance traditions.
Electric Violin
Around 2017, KeyReel acquired his first five-string electric violin. Although it was an inexpensive model, it opened a new chapter in his performing career and allowed him to explore the possibilities of amplified and electronically processed violin sound.
By the end of 2017, he had acquired his primary electric instrument, the Cantini Son Plus, which remains his main electric violin to this day.
Gradually, electric violin became an independent part of his musical practice. KeyReel began experimenting with electronic effects, pedals, sound processing, and different ways of incorporating the electric instrument into solo and ensemble performances.
His interest in electric violin was never limited to rock music. He explored its possibilities in contemporary popular music, improvisation, and experimental projects, gradually developing his own approach to solo performance.
Final Solo Recital at TCU
In his final recital at Texas Christian University, KeyReel presented an even broader picture of his musical identity. The program brought together classical music, traditional fiddle, jazz, and experimental electric violin improvisation.
For the electronic portion of the performance, he used prerecorded audio samples triggered and controlled through a computer, combining live violin performance with electronic sound elements to create a more elaborate musical structure.
This recital marked another stage in his exploration of the possibilities of the five-string and electric violin, as well as the interaction between live performance and computer-based technology.
Q-Concert Series (2020)
From April through July 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, KeyReel created and presented a series of 15 solo concerts streamed live on YouTube.
Each concert was developed as an independent program, requiring weekly musical preparation, repertoire planning, visual design, program descriptions, and promotional materials. KeyReel personally handled every stage of the production, from developing the musical concept to preparing the visual presentation.
The Q-Concert Series became a substantial independent concert project, allowing him to maintain an active performing career and stay connected with audiences at a time when traditional concert venues were closed.
Music Journey & Further Experiments (2020–2021)
In September 2020, KeyReel presented two additional solo concerts under the title Music Journey. These performances involved more elaborate experimental productions, exploring not only musical possibilities but also the visual aspects of concert presentation.
For the first time, he made extensive use of a green screen, changing background images, multiple camera angles, and more sophisticated sound processing through electronic pedals and effects.
Further themed online performances followed, including a Christmas Concert, Calling the Spring (2021), and Calling the Summer (2021). These projects continued his exploration of solo performance, visual presentation, and electronic technology.
Acoustic Projects & Collaborations
Alongside his solo electric violin productions, KeyReel continued performing on acoustic instruments.
During the summer and fall of 2020, he presented several concerts in collaboration with Ben Katzen. These performances represented another dimension of his musical activity, focusing on the interaction between musicians and the possibilities of acoustic ensemble playing.
The five-string acoustic violin remained an important instrument in these projects, as well as in his chamber music and traditional music ensembles.
Today, both the five-string acoustic and electric violins remain among KeyReel’s principal performing instruments, serving his work across classical, chamber, traditional, and experimental musical projects.
Jazz & Improvisation
From Free Improvisation to Jazz
Jazz occupies a special place in KeyReel’s musical life, bringing together artistic freedom, harmonic awareness, and spontaneous musical interaction. However, his path toward jazz began long before it became an independent part of his performing career.
Between 2008 and 2015, while working at Café Margarita in Moscow, KeyReel regularly participated in musical programs featuring two violins and piano. The format allowed considerable freedom for improvisation, encouraging musicians to interact spontaneously and experiment with different musical ideas. Rather than following strict jazz conventions, these performances were closer to classical lounge improvisation, blending elements of various musical styles. This experience became an important foundation for his later development as an improvising musician.
Another interesting stage began in 2011 with his involvement in the Moscow-based ensemble Red Brick Boys, which performed bluegrass. Although rooted in a distinct American folk tradition, bluegrass introduced further opportunities for exploring improvisation, rhythmic interplay, and spontaneous ensemble interaction.
After moving to the United States, KeyReel’s musical horizons expanded through his exposure to Western Swing and Texas Fiddle. Western Swing, with its strong jazz and swing influences, opened up new possibilities for exploring swing phrasing, rhythmic vocabulary, and improvisation.
His interest in jazz also led him toward the European tradition of Gypsy Jazz, with its distinctive melodic freedom, rhythmic energy, and expressive improvisational language.
Swing, Blues & Gypsy Jazz
Collaboration with cellist and vocalist Ben Katzen played an important role in KeyReel’s continued musical development. Their joint performances explored a wide range of styles, including jazz, blues, swing, and even country music. Working together provided further opportunities to develop improvisational skills and explore different approaches to ensemble interaction.
KeyReel’s jazz repertoire and performing experience encompass swing, gypsy jazz, Texas swing, and blues. His interest goes beyond simply performing music from different traditions: he values understanding their underlying musical language, characteristic phrasing, rhythmic structures, and approaches to improvisation.
Performances & Collaborations
Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, KeyReel has collaborated with various jazz musicians and ensembles, appearing in jazz, swing, and improvisational programs.
His musical collaborators and projects include Glen McLaughlin Band, Two Bit Swing Band, La Pompe, as well as performances with Kim Platko, Jason Jones, Alex Hand, and other musicians.
He is regularly invited to participate in jazz projects and performances by professional musicians, reflecting his ability to contribute naturally to different ensemble settings and musical traditions.
His interest in chamber music and unconventional ensemble formats also led to the founding of That One String Quartet, another creative project bringing together different musical approaches and artistic interests.
Improvisation as an Art of Performance
For KeyReel, improvisation is much more than freely varying a familiar melody. It is an independent form of musical thinking that requires an understanding of harmony, form, rhythm, and the ability to interact with other musicians in real time.
Live ensemble improvisation holds a particularly important place in his performing practice. Built on musical dialogue, spontaneous interaction, and the continuous development of musical ideas, it represents one of the most engaging aspects of his musical identity.
Years of experience across different musical traditions have helped him develop an individual approach to improvisation, combining classical training with the freedom and spontaneity of jazz.
Original Music & Composition
Early Beginnings
KeyReel’s interest in music composition began in childhood. He wrote his first composition at the age of eight, and by the age of twelve had already appeared in a local radio interview, discussing his musical work and presenting his own compositions.
At the V. A. Uspensky Republican Special Music School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, composition became one of the central components of his musical education, alongside violin performance and symphony conducting. During this period, he studied composition with D. D. Amanullaeva and received awards in several young composers’ competitions in Uzbekistan.
Later, while studying at the Gnesins’ Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, KeyReel continued developing his compositional interests alongside his professional training as a violinist and chamber musician.
Compositions & Performances
KeyReel’s compositions have been performed at concert venues in Russia and the United States, including the Great Hall of the Gnesins’ Russian Academy of Music, the Moscow House of Composers, and Texas Christian University.
Among his works is Thoughts, written for violin, soloists, and orchestra, which was performed at the Moscow House of Composers in 2003 and recorded at the Gnesins’ Russian Academy of Music.
In 2009, two of his compositions for string quartet, Expromt and Grass on the Water, were recorded.
In 2016, his composition Images for five-string violin, harpsichord, and strings was performed at Texas Christian University, along with the third movement of his string quartet. In 2017, pianist Daria Kiseleva performed three of KeyReel’s piano solo works at PepsiCo Recital Hall in Fort Worth, Texas.
In 2018, two of his string quartet compositions were performed by McKinney Philharmonic Chamber Music. That same year, five pieces for flute and clarinet were recorded at Texas Christian University, performed by Mehrdad Gholami and Yevgeni Karelin.
In 2019, Images was performed again at Church Street Auditorium in McKinney, Texas.
His compositional catalog includes works for violin, piano, string quartet, chamber ensembles, and orchestra, as well as electronic music.
Electronic Music & Studio Experiments
KeyReel’s interest in electronic music dates back to the early 1990s and began taking practical shape with the arrival of his first computer in 1993. By 1995, he was already creating multitimbral compositions using computer-based music systems, such as FM synthesizers.
In 1997, the acquisition of a Korg Trinity synthesizer marked another important stage, opening up new possibilities for sound design, arrangement, and electronic composition.
Over time, the computer became his primary creative environment. His production work gradually evolved into multitrack projects combining hardware synthesizers and sound modules, virtual instruments and effects (VSTs), and recordings of acoustic instruments, including violins.
Electronic music and studio production thus became an independent part of his compositional work, alongside instrumental and chamber compositions.
Current Creative Directions
Today, KeyReel’s creative interests are focused on developing original music, producing new recordings, and combining acoustic instruments with electronic sounds. His plans include creating albums across different musical directions, ranging from instrumental and experimental music to projects featuring guest vocalists and other musicians.
A particular focus is the development of an original repertoire that can exist in solo, chamber, ensemble, and studio formats.
Traditional Music, Festivals & Ensembles
From Classical Violin to Fiddle
KeyReel’s journey into traditional music began in 2007, when he was 25 years old. By that time, he had already completed extensive academic training, graduated from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, and gained years of experience as a classical violinist. Discovering traditional fiddle music, however, opened an entirely new musical world.
His first ensemble was Moscow-based Wallace Band, performing traditional Irish music. Initially, KeyReel explored the style independently, using sheet music and tunes found online. Gradually, he began developing a deeper understanding of traditional fiddle playing, including its characteristic rhythm, articulation, ornamentation, and phrasing.
His musical influences included recordings by The Bothy Band, The Chieftains, Planxty, Dervish, Frankie Gavin, and Kevin Burke. What began as an interest in individual tunes gradually developed into a deeper involvement with the tradition. Performing in music cafés, playing with different ensembles, and interacting with other musicians helped him rethink many of the conventional approaches to sound production, bowing, and phrasing that he had acquired through classical training.
KeyReel subsequently performed with Moscow-based Tin Thistle, led by uilleann piper Anatoly Isaev, as well as other ensembles dedicated to Irish and Scottish traditional music.
All-Ireland Fleadh & International Development
A major turning point came in 2009, when KeyReel participated in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Tullamore, Ireland. He became the first Russian musician to reach the finals of this prestigious traditional music competition. Preparing for and participating in the event marked an important milestone in his development as a fiddle player.
In 2010 and 2012, KeyReel attended Alasdair Fraser’s summer fiddle programs on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, studying Scottish traditional music and its distinctive playing styles. In 2013, he also participated in the Valley of the Moon fiddle camp in California.
Cape Breton fiddle music became a particularly important part of his musical development. In 2013, the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association invited KeyReel as a special guest to its annual festival in Nova Scotia, Canada.
That same year, he became one of the creators of Celtic-Music.ru, a project dedicated to Celtic music and its community in Russia, and was interviewed by the international publication Celtic Life Magazine.
In 2016, KeyReel was invited as an international guest artist to the Celtic Colours International Festival on Cape Breton Island, Canada, where he presented his interpretation of traditional fiddle music.
Glasach & Glasach Trio
One of the most significant projects of KeyReel’s Moscow years was Glasach, a Celtic music ensemble he founded and directed. The group performed traditional Irish and Scottish music, as well as Cape Breton fiddle music.
Glasach became the first Russian group dedicated to presenting the Cape Breton tradition as a distinct concert project. At the time, this musical culture was virtually unknown to Russian audiences. The ensemble effectively introduced a new dimension of Celtic traditional music to Russia.
A smaller chamber offshoot of the project, Glasach Trio, was also formed. In 2014, the trio embarked on a concert tour of the United Kingdom, presenting a series of performances.
Glasach remained active as an independent musical project until 2017 and became one of the most significant chapters in KeyReel’s development as a performer, ensemble director, and advocate of traditional music.
Bluegrass & Ensemble Work
Between 2011 and 2015, KeyReel actively performed with Moscow-based ensembles exploring both Celtic traditional music and American bluegrass. These included Wallace Band, Tin Thistle, Blind Harper, and Red Brick Boys.
A particularly important experience was performing with Red Brick Boys, an ensemble dedicated to American bluegrass. Working with the group allowed KeyReel to expand beyond the Celtic repertoire and explore the distinctive characteristics of bluegrass fiddle, melodic improvisation, rhythmic chops, and ensemble interaction.
His five-string acoustic violin proved especially useful in this setting, allowing him to contribute not only melodic lines but also bass lines and other accompanying figures.
Texas Fiddle & Western Swing
After moving to the United States in 2015, KeyReel became acquainted with American fiddle traditions, including Texas Fiddle and Western Swing.
In 2015, he placed third in the Adult Division of the Bob Wills Texas Fiddle Contest in Greenville, Texas.
Western Swing was particularly interesting to him as a genre shaped by strong influences from jazz and swing. It opened new possibilities for exploring swing rhythm, improvisation, and ensemble interaction.
Independent Concert Projects & Touring
In 2016 and 2017, KeyReel continued his touring activities with his own KeyReel Raskolenko Trio, performing in cities across Russia and Belarus.
In 2018 and 2019, he also presented several trio concerts in St. Petersburg, continuing to develop his own interpretation of traditional fiddle music and the chamber ensemble format.
Celtic Fiddle in North America
After moving to the United States, KeyReel continued performing actively in traditional music projects. These included Reel Treble and Three Pints and a Glass, with which he participated in the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas in various years, including 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Another important part of his concert activity became Celtic Standard Time, a project with guitarist Alex Hand. For several years, the duo performed regularly at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. They also appeared at regional festivals, including Sherman Celtic Fest, a festival in Decatur, Texas, and the North Texas Irish Festival.
The repertoire of Celtic Standard Time encompasses traditional Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic musical traditions.
TriFidlan: Expanding Traditional Sounds
Another experimental direction is TriFidlan, a chamber project for two violins and cello. Through this ensemble, KeyReel explores new possibilities for the traditional fiddle format, developing ideas of chamber interaction and contemporary ensemble sound.
Inspired in part by the musical explorations of Alasdair Fraser, the project offers its own approach to the combination of two violins and cello. Rather than relying on conventional guitar accompaniment, the ensemble builds its musical texture around the interaction of three string instruments, opening new possibilities for harmony, rhythm, and collective improvisation.
TriFidlan has also been featured at the North Texas Irish Festival.
North Texas Celtic Strings
An important extension of KeyReel’s work in traditional music is North Texas Celtic Strings (NTCS), an educational program he founded to introduce musicians to Celtic fiddle repertoire.
The program uses the learn-by-ear method, teaching traditional tunes by listening and repetition rather than relying primarily on written notation. This approach allows students to develop not only their repertoire but also an understanding of the characteristic rhythm, ornamentation, phrasing, and stylistic nuances of traditional music.
North Texas Celtic Strings has participated in the North Texas Irish Festival for the past two consecutive years, presenting the results of its educational work at one of the major celebrations of Irish music and culture in North Texas.
Teaching & Passing on the Tradition
Alongside his performing career, KeyReel is actively involved in teaching traditional music and introducing musicians to fiddle traditions.
He has taught workshops and participated in educational programs at music festivals, including ABQ Folk Fest in Albuquerque and O’Flaherty Irish Music Youth Camp in Texas (2018). In 2020, he presented a virtual workshop at O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, returning as an in-person instructor in 2026.
His work through North Texas Celtic Strings represents a further extension of this educational mission, bringing together ear-based learning, ensemble practice, and festival performance.
«I met a totally incredible fiddle player from Russia on the Isle of Skye.
He knew every Scottish tune and was teaching me many of them.»
Links:
Click here to read Keyreel’s interview with the Celtic Life magazine
My Projects
That One String Quartet (2024-present)
Modern sounding, groovy string quartet. Including 5-string violin, 4-string violin, viola, cello and two singers as the same members. Members are: KeyReel Raskolenko, Olsa Papandili, Cat Beck and Ben Katzen.
KeyPrime Strings (2022-present), Foremrly KeyReel Music
Live music for every occasion, from classical elegance to jazz, pop, rock, and Celtic sounds. Featuring versatile solo performers and string ensembles throughout DFW and beyond
North Texas Celtic Strings (2022-present)
New educational program:
Celtic music ensemble for strings.
Check, sign up and more on our web-page NTCSTRINGS.COM
Celtic Standard Time (2021-present)
Irish, Scottish and other Celtic music for fiddle, guitar and bodhran
Check more on our instagram page: @celtic_standard_time
TriFidlan (2025-present)
Celtic Art Project inspired by Scottish tradition and Fraser & Hass duo.
Check more on our instagram page: @trifidlan
Former projects
Three Pints and a Glass
Three Pints and a Glass (2017-2020)
“Three Pints and a Glass” are a group of skilled traditional musicians assembled from across the United States and the globe
Glasach
Glasach (2011-2017)
Traditional music of Cape Breton, American Old Time, Irish and Scottish folk tunes – all in a mix of contemporary arrangements.
Blind Harper
Blind Harper (2011-2015)
Irish traditional music band
Red Brick Boys
Red Brick Boys (2010-2015)
American Roots Music (a mix of bluegrass, folk and gospel)
Tin Thistle
Tin Thistle (2009-2011)
Russia’s premier group playing Scottish and Celtic music on a variety of instruments, including accordion, fiddle, whistles, pipes, guitar and piano.
Just Enjoy String Band
Just Enjoy String Band (2006-2009)
Not your mama’s string quartet! Classical instruments playing various styles from Bach to Metallica.
Wallace Band
Wallace Band (2007-2017)
Celtic inspired folk music and songs, original music.
