Isa Thomasson
Isa is a classically trained violinist, singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Atlanta. An Atlanta native, she can’t remember a time she wasn’t playing music. She started playing the violin at the age of 3 years old under the tutelage of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra retiree Pat Vas Dias and piano at the age of 10. In middle and high school, she played with a number of orchestras, including the Atlanta Junior Chamber Orchestra and the Emory Youth Chamber Orchestra. These early childhood musical experiences instilled in her a deep-seated passion for music of all kinds.
Late high school and undergraduate introduced Isa to the world of old time, irish traditional, and bluegrass music. She learned mandolin under George Norman, former mandolin teacher to Peter Buck of REM, and played with a number of bluegrass and indie folk bands while attending Kennesaw State University.
A prolific songwriter, Isa’s primary songwriting tool is the classical guitar, which she uses in tandem with her many other instruments to compose music in styles ranging from bossa nova to indie folk, bluegrass, classical, lo-fi, and new wave. As a working musician, she has played for weddings, contra and English country dances, and for musical productions such as Roswell Cultural Arts Center’s Quilters. She performs many of her original bossa nova, samba, and folk compositions as Chordelisa across the city.
As a music educator, Isa teaches violin, guitar, mandolin, piano, and ukulele to students of all ages. A patient teacher and passionate musician, she knows that it’s important to start with the fundamentals and formal musicianship, but past the fundamentals ear training and improvisation skills will let you speak the language of music across all genres! With experience playing and writing in many musical styles, she can’t wait to help you find your own musical voice!
