Patrick Foley - Violin 2

Patrick Foley began violin at age seven in Linda Vasilaki’s Suzuki studio and advanced quickly. Scholarships to Interlochen Arts Camp affirmed his talent, and full-tuition awards took him to the University of Southern California, where he studied with Eduard Schmieder, and later to Southern Methodist University. While still in high school he performed dozens of concerts with the Grand Rapids Symphony and a handful with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, precursor to West Michigan Symphony.

In the early 1990s Patrick played in the Dallas Opera Orchestra, but a latent passion for technology drew him toward software. He taught himself to code, founded a consulting firm, and spent 25 years away from orchestral stages. Subbing with West Michigan Symphony in 2022 rekindled his musical life, and he won a permanent spot in the second violin section the following season.

Today Patrick balances writing software by day with sharing music by night. He also performs with Holland Symphony Orchestra and explores jazz violin with various groups in the area. Patrick lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Paula; near their son, Gus; and Patrick’s father, John—regular faces in the WMS audience.