D Magazine 2025 Meet Dallas’ Viral Violinist
After moving from Columbus, Ohio, to be an orchestra teacher at Fort Worth’s William James Middle School during the height of the pandemic, Armond Vance Wimberly was in desperate need of a creative outlet. First, the classically trained violinist began busking outside Melt Ice Creams.
“People were really vibing with it,” says Wimberly, who made about $150 in two hours. Then he took his talents to the Dallas Farmers Market, where the money and attention grew, especially after Amy Schumer reposted a video of Wimberly playing “POV,” by Ariana Grande. Fort Worth folks began booking him for intimate front porch concerts and invited him into their homes to have dinner and talk. “I probably played about 150 places in about two years’ time,” Wimberly says. “That really led to everything else.”
“Everything else” includes performing at weddings, yoga classes, Dickies Arena, the State Fair of Texas, and corporate events around the country, all while continuing to teach orchestra and mariachi at William James. “I never planned on doing any of the things I’m doing now,” Wimberly says. “I was focused on research and education. I’m a nerd. But I had this creative itch, and, being in a new city, it felt like I had more room to explore.”
Wimberly plays the social media self-promotion game well, posting engaging videos to Instagram and TikTok with regularity. The lanky, 6-foot-4 musician dresses beautifully and moves with grace—occasionally on roller skates. His music choices also give Wimberly an edge. Among his most viewed videos are performances of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” at the Cowboys of Color Rodeo in Fort Worth and TLC’s “No Scrubs” at The Wild Detectives. He occasionally performs his own compositions, including “Clatchet” (that is, “classically ratchet”), and will happily play Taylor Swift. The most oft requested song: “Back That Azz Up,” by Juvenile.
His unexpected side hustle has become an added benefit for his students, who see firsthand how Wimberly markets himself as a musician and earns jobs. He makes a point to put the spotlight on them, too. A TikTok of Wimberly’s first-year students warming up with “Yeah,” by Usher, currently has 1.3 million views.
“I’m classically trained, but I’m playing music that people know, reimagined with some classical idioms sprinkled in there,” Wimberly says. “I think that’s the thing about what I do that people connect with.”
The Art of Dress
“My style is a part of the art,” Wimberly says. “I take it seriously. Even when I’m teaching middle school, I like to dress well.” He adapts to the occasion: a little Western for the rodeo, a little East Coast cool at coffee shops. “My style is definitely not consistent. I like to explore.” Here are some of his favorite sources to outfit his art.
Franklin Moss
2800 Yeager St., Ste. A, Fort Worth.
“I’m 6-foot-4, so I have a great custom tailor in Fort Worth. He co-owns Franklin & Anthony. He’s done a few of my suits.”
Morgan Mercantile
121 S. Main St., Ste. 1, Fort Worth.
“They have really great modern Western wear that feels authentic. It’s in the South Main district.”
Studio 74 Vintage
5926 Curzon Ave., Fort Worth.
“I go to this thrift store in Camp Bowie. I got this leather sleeveless jacket there two years ago that I get a lot of compliments on. They have a lot of great Western attire there. Leon Bridges shops there, too.”
This story originally appeared in the April issue of D Magazine with the headline “Heart Strings.” Write to caitlin.clark@dmagazine.com.
Author
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin is the online executive editor for D Magazine.
