My Story 

Hi! My name is Rahmaan Phillip, and I am a violist, violinist, and composer from Las Vegas, NV. I began playing viola when I was 10 years old, and haven’t put it down since. I later picked up the violin while I was in college studying music. While most professional classical musicians know from a young age that they want to pursue music as a career, it wasn’t until a chance trip to Carnegie Hall during my senior year of high school that I would decide to take music seriously. Up until that point, I had been the last chair violist, with no interest in music. That trip would change my life and open an entirely new world for me. The world of a musician!

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Since, I have made a career touring the United States and internationally, as both a soloist and as a band member with various acts including Lady Gaga, Imagine Dragons, Elvis Monroe and Jeff Mix and the Song Hearts. I have performed in over 20 countries, on 4 different continents (still haven’t made it to Australia, Africa, or Antarctica but hopefully soon!). Some of the major acts that I have had the honor to share the stage with include; Lady Gaga (2019-present), Imagine Dragons (2019-present), Chaka Khan, Gwen Stefani, Collie Buddz, Demi Lovato, Pablo Alboran, George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, Bush, Brett Young, Hillary Hahn, Danny Wright, David Osborne, Brian Newman, King Ibu, and many more.

 

As a solo artist, I have had the privilege to perform for world diplomats and distinguished figures including; The Dalai Lama, Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Quincy Jones, the Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, Tanaiste of Ireland Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, President of Costa Rica Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President of The United Nations Foundation Elizabeth Cousins, CEO of Intel Patrick Gelsinger, Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, CEO of IBM Arvind Krishna, Ceo of Dell Michael Dell, and many more! 

 

When I perform with other artists, I have the ability to become a chameleon and adapt to any style, helping their music come to life. This has been a very strong asset for me and has afforded me many priceless opportunities. Being a musician from Vegas, you can’t expect to work and not play covers. I came up as a lounge act, playing solo violin covers and holding residencies in some of Las Vegas’ most popular properties, including; The Paris Hotel and Casino, The Cromwell, The Venetian, The Palazzo, Planet Hollywood, MGM, Mandalay Bay, New York New York Hotel and Casino, Bellagio, and more.

When not performing, I am building my catalog as a composer. My focus is currently on small chamber works, mainly for solo viola and viola accompanied by another instrument, string quartet, and small ensemble works. I am really advocating for more “classical music” featuring the viola as a solo or primary instrument. If I don’t write it, it will never get written. In the near future, I plan to write symphonic pieces and score music for television and movies. 

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Notable performances; World Economic Forum Solo performer for Intel in Davos Switzerland (2022), Grammys performer with Lady Gaga (2022), Tedx performer Da Nang Vietnam (2021), Lady Gaga Jazz and Piano Las Vegas residency violinist (2019-present), Imagine Dragons TRF Las Vegas gala VIP reception musical guest (2019-present), Performer for president Jimmy Carter’s 95th birthday celebration with pianist David Osborne (2017), Performer for the Parliament of World Religions with pianist Danny Wright (2016), Soloist with UNLV Jazz Ensemble featuring Ronnie Rose (2015), Soloist with UNLV Community Concert Band; debuting Richard Kashanski’s work “The Passion” (2014), Latin Grammys (2010), Solo instrumentalist with College of Southern Nevada Orchestra (2010), Principal Violist for University of Nevada Las Vegas Symphony and Chamber Orchestras (2010-2011)