2024 Primrose International Viola Competition & American Viola Society Festival Program Book

2024 American Viola Society Festival Competition Finalists

Lillianna Wodzisz Grosse Point, MI Student of Renee Skerik, Hang Su, and Hai Xin Wu

Lillianna Wodzisz is from Grosse Pointe, Michigan and is a rising senior at Interlochen Arts Academy where she studies with Renee Skerik. Her former teachers include Hang Su and Hai Xin Wu of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Lily has performed in masterclasses for Jeffrey Irvine, Lynne Ramsey, Masumi Rostad, Jodi Levitz, and others. She was selected for the Michigan All-State Orchestra and was a finalist in the Interlochen Concerto Competitions. With her string quartet she won the Michigan ASTA Chamber Music Competition and was a finalist in the Glass City

Chamber Music Competition. In her free time, Lily enjoys downhill skiing with family.

Junior Solo Competition Finalists

Neena Agrawal Chicago, IL Student of Sang Mee Lee

Neena Agrawal is a scholarship fellow at the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago where she studies viola with Sang Mee Lee. She is also a fellow of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative for musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Neena served as principal viola of the 2024 National Pathways Festival Orchestra culminating in a performance with the Nashville Symphony. Recent solo performances include the Evanston MLK Celebration, Reena Esmail Showcase, and Music Institute of Chicago Gala. She is the rotating principal of MIC Chamber Orchestra, performs in a trio and string quartet, and played in the Chicago Youth in

Music Festival.

Anya Gilchenok Columbia, CT Student of Steve Larson

Anya Gilchenok is a 14-year-old violist from Columbia, Connecticut. She is a Jorgenson Outreach for Youth Scholar and is principal of the Opus orchestra at the Hartt School of Music’s Community Division. In 2023, she won second place in her age group in the Connecticut Bach Festival, celebrating one of her favorite composers. With her quartet and her trio, Anya has played in chamber music masterclasses for Molly Carr of the Juilliard String Quartet and Emma Frucht of the Aizuri Quartet. Anya studies viola with Steve Larson.

McKayla Hwang Wilmington, DE Student of Shelley Beard

McKayla Hwang currently attends Archmere Academy in Claymont, DE, and she is a student of Shelley Beard at the Settlement Music School. She has been playing violin for 9 years and viola for 4 years. McKayla joined the Settlement Advance Chamber Snitzer Quartet in 2023, and this past academic year, she was also the Principal second for Philadelphia Sinfonia Youth Orchestra. Living with her parents and their beloved dog Cersei only 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia, McKayla has had many opportunities to experience what the city has to offer. Besides her musical

pursuit, McKayla is an avid reader and enjoys running, traveling, and visiting art museums.

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