My most recent work “Enviolao” for viola and piano will be premiered by Ayn Balija at Old Cabell Hall in Charlottesville. This event is part of the UVA Chamber Music Series.

The 2017-2018 University of Virginia Chamber Music Series concludes on Sunday, April 22 at 3:30 pm with the Ayn Balija, viola. Balija will be joined by pianist Shelby Sender, violist Megan Gray and John D’earth will present dazzling selections that span the repertoire of the viola in the America’s. These diverse selections, sure to delight any audience, will include Lillain Fuchs’ Sonata Pastorale, Francisco Mignone’s Tres Valsas Brasileiras, Aaron Minsky’s Truckin’ Through the South, Ernst Bloch’s Suite Hebraique and a world premier of a new composition by composer Jorge Variego. The duo will also unveil a world premiere for viola and piano written by composer Jorge Variego.

Violist Ayn Balija leads a musically rich life performing and teaching throughout the country. She joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 2007 as Lecturer of Viola. Along with maintaining a studio, she also serves as the principal violist of the Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia and is the violist of the Rivanna String Quartet. In 2015-16, Ms. Balija also served as the interim viola instructor at James Madison University and in 2004 as an adjunct professor at Lorain County Community College.

Ms. Balija performs solo, chamber, and orchestral works around the country. She has soloed with Max Rabinovitsj and the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra in Mozart’s Symphonia Concertante in 2009 as well as the Milhaud Concerto for Viola with the Tennessee Governor’s School Faculty Orchestra in 2015. For 12 years, Ms. Balija was a section member of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus championing new works and recording under the Summit label. She regularly substitutes for the Richmond Symphony, Williamsburg Symphony, and Roanoke Symphony. In 2005, Ms. Balija was invited to tour with the Pittsburgh Symphony on their East Coast Tour including a performance at Carnegie Hall. An enthusiastic supporter of new music in chamber music, she was part of a consortium for Fernghetti, a new work by Libby Larsen for clarinet, piano, and viola, and performances of works such composers as Michael Daugherty, Kenji Bunch, Matthew Burtner, and Judith Shatin.