Keith Stanfield is a concert violinist, educator, and former international athlete whose career bridges the worlds of high-level performance, leadership, and outreach. As the newly appointed Artistic and Executive Director of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, he brings a bold, inclusive vision to one of the region’s most respected classical music education programs—one that emphasizes artistic excellence, community growth, and access for all.

A longtime member of the acclaimed Opus 76 Quartet, Stanfield performs more than 200 concerts a year, with recent appearances at Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Philharmonie in Berlin, and Teatro alla Scala in Milan. His discography includes the complete Beethoven String Quartets, Mozart’s “Haydn” Quartets, and Schubert’s String Quintet, alongside solo recordings such as Mozart’s 4th Violin Concerto and Paganini’s First. A recent performance of the latter was described as “deep, resonant… played with considerable sensitivity… profoundly moving.” (KC Arts Beat)

Stanfield is one of a very small number of professional classical musicians from Western Samoa, where his journey began not only with music but also with sports. He represented the country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, scoring two goals in five international appearances before retiring from soccer to pursue the violin full-time. During his career, he played for clubs in England, Germany and Italy. After relocating to the United States in 2013, he coached youth soccer for four years, and recently returned to the pitch in a lighthearted role as a part-time coach with Sporting Kansas City. His experience as a professional athlete has given him a unique ability to connect with students and audiences alike, especially those from non-traditional musical backgrounds.

He holds the title of Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (London), where he also serves as a visiting lecturer. In Kansas City, he is Concertmaster of the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and the Kinnor Philharmonic, and is the Artistic and Executive Director at the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, where he also teaches orchestral violin, electives and chamber music at YSKC. He has served as Guest Concertmaster with the Kansas City Ballet Orchestra on numerous occasions and was named one of The Independent’s “Rising Stars of Kansas City” in 2022.

Known for his dynamic artistry and technical finesse, Stanfield has been hailed “The Polynesian Paganini” (K.C. Arts Beat) for his commanding presence and virtuosic style. He made his recital debut at six years old at the Royal Festival Hall in London and appeared as a soloist live on BBC television aged ten. He studied with renowned violinists Remus Azoitei, Karoly Schranz, and the late Erik Huston, following early training with Alison Apley and the Suzuki Method.

Beyond the stage, he is a contributor to publications including The Strad and The Catholic Herald, writing on topics that range from pedagogy to performance practice. Whether leading from the podium, connecting with young musicians, or performing for international audiences, Keith Stanfield continues to inspire with a career rooted in curiosity, grit, and a lifelong love of music.

May 2025. Please disregard all previous versions.