Travis is a proud native of Houston, began his journey with the violin at just four years old, studying under Sheryl Putnam (later known as Sheryl LaFayette). Before entering eighth grade, he switched to viola and graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in 2000. During his high school years, he was a finalist twice in the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition and held the position of second chair in the Texas All-State Symphony Orchestra’s viola section.
He continued his education at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio, where he studied under esteemed teachers such as Chauncey Patterson, Lisa Boyko, Jeffrey Irvine, and Stanley Konopka. In 2001, he participated in the annual Bach Festival in Leipzig, Germany, performing with the St. Thomas Boys’ Choir. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in viola performance in 2005, he returned to Houston to start his private teaching career in the Katy ISD school system.
In 2006, Mr. Galbraith enrolled at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, studying under Lawrence Wheeler. While there, he received an Honorable Mention in the schoolwide concerto competition and played in the Tomatz Graduate String Quartet. He completed his Master’s degree in viola performance in 2008 and spent a year teaching in Spring Branch ISD before stepping back from music to explore other interests.
In 2013, he re-entered the music scene by joining the Victoria Symphony Orchestra in Victoria, TX. He also began performing around the Houston area and returned to teaching in Katy ISD. Additionally, he played regularly with the Lake Charles Symphony in Louisiana until 2017. In 2018, Mr. Galbraith chose to focus on his own viola practice while pursuing long-term goals, a journey that lasted about five years.
In 2023, he began teaching at Fortissimo Yamaha Music School in Riverstone, near Sugar Land, TX. After leaving Fortissimo, he joined the Grand Music School in Richmond, TX. He is passionate about his career as a private instructor, teaching both violin and viola to advanced students, while continuing to perform with the Victoria Symphony. In addition to music, Mr. Galbraith is also an avid visual artist, entrepreneur, and songwriter.