Aleksi Zaretsky

Aleksi Zaretsky is a freelance violinist and teacher based in San Francisco. He is originally from Valley Cottage, NY. Aleksi has performed alongside the San Francisco Symphony, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, New Century Chamber Orchestra, SFJAZZ, the Monterey Symphony, Symphony Parnassus, the Concert Truck managed by Opus 3 Artists and Ensemble Mik Nawooj. In 2023, he won a Grammy with the New York Youth Symphony for Best Orchestral Performance. Aleksi has recorded on the Pentatone and Avie record labels and has been featured on PBS, CNN, and KDFC. He has worked closely with producers at SONY interactive entertainment, and has performed at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Aleksi has performed at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, as well as at the 2026 Super Bowl with Green Day.

Aleksi has performed with renowned artists of many genres including violinists Kenneth Renshaw, Simone Porter, Michael Cleveland and Joshua Bell, pianists Lara Downes, Awadagin Pratt, Susan Zhang and Rieko Tsuchida, conductors Michael Tilson Thomas, Edwin Outwater, Earl Lee, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Michael Repper, Kalena Bovell, Rafael Payare and Keith Lockhart, singers María Zardoya and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as jazz legends Kenny Barron, Ambrose Akinmusire and Gerald Clayton.

Aleksi is pursuing his masters degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) under Simon James, with whom he also completed his undergraduate degree. He previously studied with Elizabeth Faidley in New York. As a chamber musician, Aleksi has received mentorship from the Telegraph, Esme, Shanghai, Ivalas, Kronos, Danel, Catalyst and American string quartets. At SFCM, Aleksi serves as concertmaster of the conservatory orchestra and leads interactive community engagement performances, bringing music to alternative local settings. He also teaches privately in San Francisco. Aleksi plays on a 1901 Rodolfo Fredi violin, generously on loan from the Chimei Museum in Tainan, Taiwan.

As a teacher, I care deeply about my students goals. I’m happy to meet everyone where they are at progress wise, and tailor lessons specifically oriented towards their aspirations. 

I believe a great technical foundation is vital to excel in repertoire, and make sure all of my students are set up well to succeed. While my main background is teaching classical music, I often incorporate a variety of genres with my students. 

I teach dedicated students of a variety of ages and levels, from young kids to adults. I aim to help prepare for auditions, competitions, exams, performances, and the college application process. I’m also happy to work with folks learning violin or viola as a hobby or passion.

As a mentor, I make myself available 24/7 to answer questions and help my students with anything related to music.