Regarded for his extraordinary grasp of phrasing, character, and color, violist Paul Laraia has performed as soloist and chamber musician across the United States, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, and has been featured multiple times performing on National Public Radio and Detroit Public Television.
Originally from Sewell New Jersey, Paul began viola with Brynina Socolofsky, the disciple of viola pedagogue Leonard Mogill. He continued his studies with Choon-jin Chang, and Che-hung Chen under scholarship through Temple University’s Center for Talented Youth and the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. In 2007, he entered the New England Conservatory of Music under Kim Kashkashian with full scholarship and in 2008 he became the recipient of the Clara May Friedlaender Scholarship.
In 2011 Paul gave his solo debuts performing with the Pittsburgh and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras where he was praised for his “long lines” and “caramelly yet airy” tone. More recently Paul gave his Nashville Symphony debut and appeared in recital at the 40th International Viola Congress in Rochester.
In addition to his solo engagements, Paul has performed at the Sarasota Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, and Yellow Barn Festival, where he collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Donald Weilerstein, Roger Tapping, Anthony Marwood, Michael Kannen, Maria Lambros, Natasha Brofsky, and Mark Hill. In 2007 with the Newman Advanced Study String Quartet through Settlement Music School, Paul was a silver medalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and was featured on the popular radio program From the Top. From 2007-2009 Paul was part of the Bela String Quartet, winners of the New England Conservatory Honors Ensemble Competition.
In 2010, Paul competed at the Sphinx Competition and received second prize for his performance of Bartok’s Viola Concerto with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall. In 2011, Paul returned to the Sphinx Competition and was awarded first prize directly after the first round of the competition. He performed the Walton Viola concerto to a captured audience at the finals concert where he formally accepted his award. He will be recording his debut album in August for the White Pine label with works by Bach, Reger, Hindemith, and Henze.
Paul believes that it is crucial to bring classical music to new audiences, and has actively engaged in outreach performances. As part of the Bela Quartet, Paul has brought music to inner city schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. He has given free masterclasses to youth music programs, and as part of the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra national tour, presented concerts to areas and communities with limited access to classical music.
Paul regularly performs with his two younger siblings Steven and Tiffany who also play viola. Steven studies with Kim Kashkashian at the New England Conservatory, and Tiffany will begin her studies at The Juilliard School of Music under Toby Appel.
Paul Laraia, Viola
Biography
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Regarded for his extraordinary grasp of phrasing, character, and color, violist Paul Laraia has performed as soloist and chamber musician across the United States, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, and has been featured multiple times performing on National Public Radio and Detroit Public Television.
Originally from Sewell New Jersey, Paul began viola with Brynina Socolofsky, the disciple of viola pedagogue Leonard Mogill. He continued his studies with Choon-jin Chang, and Che-hung Chen under scholarship through Temple University’s Center for Talented Youth and the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. In 2007, he entered the New England Conservatory of Music under Kim Kashkashian with full scholarship and in 2008 he became the recipient of the Clara May Friedlaender Scholarship.
In 2011 Paul gave his solo debuts performing with the Pittsburgh and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras where he was praised for his “long lines” and “caramelly yet airy” tone. More recently Paul gave his Nashville Symphony debut and appeared in recital at the 40th International Viola Congress in Rochester.
In addition to his solo engagements, Paul has performed at the Sarasota Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, and Yellow Barn Festival, where he collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Donald Weilerstein, Roger Tapping, Anthony Marwood, Michael Kannen, Maria Lambros, Natasha Brofsky, and Mark Hill. In 2007 with the Newman Advanced Study String Quartet through Settlement Music School, Paul was a silver medalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and was featured on the popular radio program From the Top. From 2007-2009 Paul was part of the Bela String Quartet, winners of the New England Conservatory Honors Ensemble Competition.
In 2010, Paul competed at the Sphinx Competition and received second prize for his performance of Bartok’s Viola Concerto with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall. In 2011, Paul returned to the Sphinx Competition and was awarded first prize directly after the first round of the competition. He performed the Walton Viola concerto to a captured audience at the finals concert where he formally accepted his award. He will be recording his debut album in August for the White Pine label with works by Bach, Reger, Hindemith, and Henze.
Paul believes that it is crucial to bring classical music to new audiences, and has actively engaged in outreach performances. As part of the Bela Quartet, Paul has brought music to inner city schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. He has given free masterclasses to youth music programs, and as part of the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra national tour, presented concerts to areas and communities with limited access to classical music.
Paul regularly performs with his two younger siblings Steven and Tiffany who also play viola. Steven studies with Kim Kashkashian at the New England Conservatory, and Tiffany will begin her studies at The Juilliard School of Music under Toby Appel.