¡Voila! Violas

Tune in for a lively performance by this viola trio. 

Backstage Pass host Julia Figueras welcomes the viola trio, ¡Voila!, on Monday, November 11 at 1 p.m. on Classical 91.5. The ensemble will share their love for the left out “middle child” of the string family – the viola and perform live in the Henry Epstein Studio. Based in Rochester, N.Y., and the Eastman School of Music, the group includes Alexander Peña, Samantha Rodriguez, and Benjamin Magruder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TmB-ufuwrI

Listen to the interview

Peña is director of RocMusic, a music education outreach program that offers group instruction for economically disadvantaged children and teenagers from Rochester. He also teaches violin and viola, and directs Piccolo Strings at the Eastman Community Music School.  Rodriguez is an adjunct lecturer at SUNY Geneseo, faculty coach in the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, and a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Magruder working at Sullivan Violins, local luthier, as an instrument salesman, as well as teaching a full private studio of middle and high school aged students.

Backstage Pass is a live monthly performance program that gives listeners the backstage experience of meeting artists up close and personal. The program is made possible in part by a grant from the Gouvernet Arts Fund at Rochester Are Community Foundation. This episode will repeat on Saturday, November 16 at 1 p.m. on Classical 91.5 and can be seen live online at WXXI.org/backstagepass.