Holly Gramlich (Cassell) is a violinist and teacher located in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Holly Gramlich taught violin at the Evola School of Music in Canton, MI from 2017-2021. She owned and operated the Ms Holly Violin Studio from 2021-2024. She has coached students to a first place ensemble award at the Michigan Association of Christian Schools (MACS) Fine Arts Festival and has had students place at the American Guild of Music (AGM) regional and national competitions. Several of her students have played in youth orchestras in the metro-Detroit area. She studied violin with Gregory Maytan, DMA at Grand Valley State University and with Tasha Miner before that. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes an understanding of technique that will help a student reach their highest capabilities, tempered with a love for music and its important societal role. As a teacher, Ms. Holly is patient and encouraging, but forthright with parents and students about how to practice.
As a classically trained violinist, Holly is well versed in solo and orchestral literature. Since 2023 she has been part of the first violin section of the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra. She plays for weddings and special events as a soloist and chamber musician in the Metro-Detroit area.
As a scholar, Holly has published articles on American music and was a co-editor for the 2017 critical edition of Monteverdi's Il Corinazione di Poppea for Barenreiter's Urtext label. She has edited several theses and dissertations for graduate students in music. Her thesis, "Looking through a Different Lens, Beyond Censorship: The American Reception of "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District." was published in August 2017 under the guidance of Mark McKnight, PhD.
Holly earned her BA in Music with university and violin honors from Grand Valley State University and an MA in Historical Musicology from the University of North Texas.