Gary VanOsdale is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. He was born on August 22, 1945, in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father, George VanOsdale, was a prominent violinist and conductor, and his mother, Mary VanOsdale, was a pianist. Gary's siblings, Mark and Laura, are also accomplished musicians. Gary's interest in music began at an early age, and he started playing the violin when he was just five years old. He later switched to the viola, which became his primary instrument. He attended the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned violist Francis Tursi. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1967. After completing his studies, Gary joined the Nashville Symphony Orchestra as a violist. He played with the orchestra for several years and also served as the principal violist. During this time, he also performed with other orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1973, Gary joined the faculty of the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University as a professor of viola. He taught there for over 40 years and was highly respected by his students and colleagues. He also served as the chair of the string department and was instrumental in developing the school's string program. Gary's talent as a musician was recognized early on in his career, and he received numerous awards and accolades. In 1971, he won the prestigious Naumburg Viola Competition, which is considered one of the most prestigious music competitions in the world. He was also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Grant and the Tennessee Governor's Award for the Arts. Gary's performances were highly acclaimed, and he was invited to play at some of the most prestigious venues in the world. He performed at the Lincoln Center in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and the Royal Albert Hall in London. He also performed with some of the most renowned conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, and Sir Georg Solti. One of the highlights of Gary's career was his performance of the Walton Viola Concerto with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in 1985. The performance was recorded and released on the Naxos label, and it received critical acclaim. The New York Times called it "a performance of great distinction," and the recording was nominated for a Grammy Award. Gary was also a prolific recording artist and released several albums throughout his career. His recordings include works by Bach, Mozart, and Brahms, as well as contemporary composers such as William Bolcom and Joan Tower. His recordings were highly praised by critics and received several awards, including the Diapason d'Or and the Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance. In addition to his work as a performer and teacher, Gary was also a dedicated advocate for the arts. He served on the boards of several arts organizations, including the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Music Society of Nashville. He was also a founding member of the Nashville Chamber Music Festival, which brought together some of the world's most renowned chamber musicians. Gary VanOsdale retired from the Blair School of Music in 2014, after 41 years of service. He continues to perform and record, and his contributions to the world of music are widely recognized.

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