Rami Vamos grew up in a house filled with music. Both of his parents are internationally famous violin teachers, and they even housed some of their students.

Vamos started his musical career playing violin alongside his two brothers, but eventually switched to guitar. This is the instrument for which Vamos would go on to obtain three degrees, including two master’s. All the while, he was acting and writing his own musical shows and pieces on the side.

A music teacher in the Pelham school district for seventeen years, Vamos continues to create musical shows. He wrote and composed “Wolfgang’s Walks Through the World,” which was performed first at Lincoln Center and has remained a part its Chamber Music Beginners Concert Series for fifteen years. The show was staged at the Picture House in March.

Vamos teaches music at both Siwanoy and Hutchinson elementary schools and is also the head of the string department at Concordia Conservatory.

“I am a better host for Lincoln Center because I am a teacher,” Vamos said. “I am a better teacher because I write and host multiple series at Lincoln Center.”

He said that “music is like magic” and that “music is the sound of feelings.” For him, music begets empathy by creating a bridge between the artist and the listener that allows both to better understand each other. This is what makes music so special to Vamos.

“Music is essentially a practice in empathy,” Vamos said. “It is also an art where the emotions of the composer collaborate with those of the performer and the listener.”

For the newest generation of musical artists, Vamos said he believes they need to be “flexible, persistent, creative and giving.” He said it is imperative for aspiring artists to have an array of skills and abilities. Along with being proficient in one’s instrument, having a secondary skill, such as arranging music, is beneficial to most performers.

Vamos said he wants the new generation of artists to focus on improving and serving their communities. “When we as artists support our community, the community usually supports the arts in turn.”