Linda Estep, violin and Artistic Director

Linda Estep is an active violinist, teacher, conductor, and the Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Arts Music Academy in Wilmington, North Carolina. Her love of music is evident to those around her, and her belief that music can make the world a better place inspires her students and those who hear her play. As a violinist, she performs regularly with the Wilmington Symphony and Opera Wilmington Orchestra, and has served as concertmaster of the Maranatha Symphony. She has performed with Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Long Bay Symphony, and with Tallis Chamber Orchestra with whom she is frequently a featured soloist. 

As a chamber musician, Linda performs with the Brierwood Ensemble and the UNCW Faculty String Quartet. The Brierwood Ensemble (violinist Linda Estep, violist/violinist Clark Spencer, bassoonist Helena Kopchick Spencer, and harpist Christina Brier) is a local ensemble based in Wilmington, North Carolina. They are best known for their Candlelight Christmas presented annually at the Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC.  

In her role as Artistic Director of Brooklyn Arts Music Academy, Linda designs and implements curriculum for 450 preschool children weekly as part of BAMA’s Music is Life! program. Music is Life! builds resiliency skills for children who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) by fostering social-emotional growth, and promoting cognitive, language, and physical development.  She also leads the school's ensemble performances and teaches a full private violin studio.

A passionate educator, Linda conducts the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra. In her role as conductor, she impacts the lives of high school students weekly. In her passion to bring music to Wilmington’s youth, Linda has taught private lessons, led ensembles, conducted orchestras, and taught general music classes. She earned her bachelor's degree in String Pedagogy and became the Assistant Director of the String Pedagogy Program at Maranatha Baptist University in Wisconsin. After moving to Wilmington, Linda directed the elementary music program at Wilmington Christian Academy.