Kelly Avila

Interim Section Viola

Violist Kelly Avila will join the Dallas Symphony in a one-year position for the 26-27 season. Originally from Norton Shores, Michigan, she recently earned her master’s degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University where she studied with Ivo van der Werff, with additional instruction from Joan DerHovsepian. During her final year at Rice, she served as assistant principal viola with the Houston Ballet Orchestra. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the Colburn School where she studied with Paul Coletti, Yura Lee, and Tatjana Masurenko. During her studies she has participated in festival programs including Shostakovich Festival Leipzig, Tanglewood Music Center, and Aspen Music Festival.