Violist. Creator. Storyteller.

Artist entrepreneur ThatViolaKid creates content that inspires the next generation of independent artists. His classical training through The Juilliard School combined with his unique expertise and curiosity for online storytelling makes him one of the most compelling violists in the world. Engage with an artist that’s taking the road less traveled.

Violist Drew Alexander Forde, known online as ThatViolaKid, has a reputation not only as an accomplished performer but also as one of classical music’s most recognizable online brands. Profiled in outlets like Thrillist, WNYC, the Detroit Free Press, and Strings Magazine, he was named “one of the titans of Classical Music Instagram” by National Sawdust Log and was called “the future of our field” by Sphinx Organization president Afa Dworkin. As the co-host of the Faking Notes Podcast, alongside Juilliard friend Trevor Bumgarner, he interviews the next generation of up and coming artists with the hopes of growing a community of entrepreneurial artists around the world.

An acclaimed expert in classical music’s social media and brand building, Forde believes in the power of documentation, building his Instagram following of over 115,000 in part by generating large scale online movements, including #PlayHomiePlay and #JourneytoJuilliard. For his efforts, he has been invited as a paid speaker to a wealth of educational institutions and conferences, including Harvard, MIT, the Haag Conservatory, Carnegie Hall, Cleveland Institute of Music, Columbia University, The Juilliard School, Mercer University, the International Viola Congress, and Sphinx Connect.

Also highly sought after in popular music, Forde has shared the stage with A-List stars like Adele, Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Giveon, JoJo, Kanye West, Moses Sumney, and Roddy Ricch, among others. While serving as a substitute violist in Lin Manuel Miranda’s masterwork “Hamilton” at the famed Pantages Theater in Hollywood, Forde also performed for Danny Elfman’s iconic performance at Coachella in 2022.

In addition to earning recording credits with the late Mac Miller on The Divine Feminine, Drew also recorded for John Legend’s Grammy-Award-winning album, Bigger Love, and **Kota The Friend’s album, Everything. Drew has recorded for artists Paul McCartney, Sabrina Claudio, Moby, Susanna Hoffs, Adekunle Gold, and Vitamin String Quartet.

Drew’s viola playing has also appeared on several prominent soundtracks: “Coming 2 America,” performing as Principal with composer Jermaine Stegall, HBO’s popular horror-thriller, Lovecraft Country, and the hit Netflix comedy movie featuring Rebel Wilson, “Senior Year.” Other shows that Drew has recorded for include: Star Trek: Lower Decks, The Orville, and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.

And - Drew’s group, Whole Soul, is newly formed and launching a show coming up at the end of October! 

Whole Soul

Whole Soul is deeply passionate about empowering art derived from African American culture. We are four classically-trained string players who draw great inspiration from artists of the soul, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop genres. Our mission: to fundamentally reshape the way string quartets make music.

Historically, rhythmic genres like Hip-Hop, Soul, and R&B music have been neglected by composers and arrangers. By employing advanced extended techniques to produce sounds and textures that are prevalent in these genres, Whole Soul aims to codify a new sound and language for the traditional string quartet.