Biography
Music was always around since I can remember as both my older sisters played instruments. At my cellist sister’s encouragement I went to her orchestra rehearsal and chose the viola as my instrument at age eight. I started my studies at the Children’s section at the National Conservatory of Peru at age nine and was a founding member of the National Children’s Orchestra of Peru. There were so few children viola players at the time that I was the only viola for a few months!
Music has also been the driving force in my moving to different countries. I first moved to Finland in my early teens and later to the United States where I was grateful to receive full scholarships to the Interlochen Arts Academy as well as at the Juilliard School in New York. I went on to pursue my Masters of Arts and was teaching assistant of viola at the University of Iowa. I always wanted to come back to this side of the Atlantic, so I came to London in 2017 to pursue a Professional Diploma at the Royal Academy of Music with Garfield Jackson. From 2018-2019 I was a member of the Alauda Quartet with whom I toured around England and Europe and won the International Competition ‘Massimo Antonelli’ in Italy. I currently perform in concerts and recitals with my duo partner pianist Mihály Berecz and with my chamber group Platform Music alongside fellow Southbank Sinfonia member, Sarah Gait.
One of my most significant musical moments has been learning to appreciate the audience even more during the trying COVID-19 times of virtual living and performing. It greatly made me realise how much I miss the human connection and reminded me of past experiences performing in prisons in the US and in earthquake stricken cities in Peru. Those moments taught me how powerful music and any performing arts can be and how necessary they are in the toughest times.
I also learned a huge deal performing in masterclasses for one of my viola heroes Yuri Bashmet in Berlin and was recently humbled to be named an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM).
Playing in an orchestra is chamber music on a larger scale and I love the feeling of community that it inspires.
In my free time I enjoy reading, drinking Peruvian coffee, walking around London, and playing with my kitten Mocha.
Education
Royal Academy of Music
London, UK
The Juilliard School
New York City, USA
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, UK
Other Projects
Quickfire Questions
How would you persuade someone who has never heard ‘classical music’ before to come with you to a concert?
Open your ears and your heart and let the music transport you and touch you. And no, you do not need to know anything about music to experience it deeply as a listener.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?
Something related to human rights, or politics.
What’s your most memorable experience as a musician?
Hard to choose but I would say performing Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde at Carnegie Hall.