Craig Butterfield is a renowned double bassist and educator in the world of classical music. Born in 1963 in the United States, Butterfield grew up in a musical family and began playing the double bass at the age of 12. He quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument and began studying with some of the best teachers in the country. Butterfield attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied with Winston Salem Symphony principal bassist Paul Sharpe. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with James VanDemark. Butterfield continued his education at the University of Southern California, where he earned his Master of Music degree under the tutelage of Dennis Trembly. Throughout his career, Butterfield has performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras and ensembles in the world. He has been a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as an orchestral musician, Butterfield is also an accomplished soloist and chamber musician. He has performed as a soloist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, and the Winston Salem Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival. Butterfield has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1985, he was a winner of the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition. He was also a finalist in the Concert Artists Guild International Competition in 1987. In 1990, he was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show great potential for a major career in music. In addition to his performing career, Butterfield is also a dedicated educator. He has taught at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, the University of Michigan, and the University of South Carolina. He is currently a professor of double bass at the University of Georgia, where he has been on the faculty since 2001. Butterfield is also a sought-after clinician and masterclass teacher. He has given masterclasses at the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory, and the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has also been a guest artist at the International Society of Bassists Convention and the American String Teachers Association National Conference. Throughout his career, Butterfield has been committed to expanding the repertoire for the double bass. He has commissioned and premiered numerous works for the instrument, including pieces by composers such as Michael Daugherty, David Ott, and Frank Proto. He has also recorded several albums of solo and chamber music, including his critically acclaimed album "Bass-ically Speaking." In addition to his work as a performer and educator, Butterfield is also a dedicated advocate for the arts. He has served on the board of directors for the International Society of Bassists and the American String Teachers Association. He has also been a member of the National Endowment for the Arts music panel. In conclusion, Craig Butterfield is a highly respected and accomplished double bassist and educator in the world of classical music.

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