A native of New York City, Ilona is the Assistant Principal Viola with the TSO. She graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with a B.M. and Yale University with a M.M. She was principal violist with the Florida West Coast Symphony, the Collegium Academicum de Geneve, and the Arizona Opera. She also performed with the New College String Quartet. She has studied with Raphael Bronstein and Walter Trampler and is currently a Music Instructor at St. Gregory School.
How long have you played the viola? Over 50 years! (amazing, huh?)
Guilty musical secret: I played on a Stradivarius viola at a chamber music party in Geneva, Switzerland, and I didn’t like the instrument!
Funny musical experience: I played the Bartok Viola Concerto for a competition and the judges thought I was a violinist and awarded me a prize in the violin division!
What would your career be if you hadn’t chosen to be a musician? I always knew I would be a musician. I love playing music! (I was also interested in mathematics or law).
Hobbies: Growing African violets, knitting and photography.
Hometown: New York City
Interesting personal facts: I love to dance!
Favorite pets: I have two Siamese cats, Huckle and Lavender.
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