Vicki Powell, Viola

Biography

Violist Vicki Powell entered The Curtis Institute of Music in 2006 and studies with Roberto Diaz, former principal viola of the Philadelphia Orchestra and president of Curtis.

The nineteen-year-old began her musical studies on the violin at the age of four. She recently soloed with the Philadelphia Orchestra as the winner of the 2008 Greenfield Competition. She also received the Gold Award at the 2007 National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) ARTS Week. In 2006 she won first prize in the viola division of the Johansen International Competition for Young String Players.

Ms. Powell made a recital appearance at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and soloed with the Friday Morning Music Club Chamber Orchestra. She has also appeared as soloist with the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen Orchestra, Madison and Milwaukee symphony orchestras, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Midwest Young Artists Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Powell has made two appearances on From the Top, where she collaborated with Christopher O'Riley and Joshua Bell. She has also appeared in concert with Midori to promote music education in the Wisconsin public schools. She was the winner of the 2005 Aspen Music Festival Low Strings Competition, 2005 Walgreens National Concerto Competition, 2004 Madison Symphony Orchestra Steenbock Competition, 2004 Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Competition, and 2003 Milwaukee Young Artists Competition, among others.

In 2007 Ms. Powell attended the Sarasota Music Festival and the International Music Academy - Switzerland directed by Seiji Ozawa. She has also participated in the Aspen Music Festival and School, Interlochen Advanced String Quartet Institute, and the Midwest Young Artists Chamber Camp.

As a member of the Alethea String Quartet, Ms. Powell received third prize at the 2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Junior Division and first prize at the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. She was also a member of the Eleve Arte String Quartet, which was a semifinalist at the 2004 and 2005 Fischoff competitions.
Ms. Powell previously studied with Sally Chisholm, professor and member of the Pro Arte Quartet in residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Eugene Purdue of the Buddy Conservatory of Music.