Dr. Ayn Balija is a dynamic violist dedicated to expanding the viola’s expressive range via innovative performance & collaboration. She champions new works by commissioning and premiering pieces that push the boundaries of the instrument, especially as violist of the Piedmont Duo, a percussion and viola duo. She performs nationally and internationally for festivals and conferences in places like Hungary, New Zealand, Brazil, and Canada. Some of her national collaborations include the Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival, Charlottesville Opera, Early Music Access Project, Staunton Music Festival, the Richmond Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and various viola festivals and congresses. As an educator, she fosters creativity through initiatives like Violapalooza, serves as summer faculty at Tennessee’s Governor’s School for the Arts and presents masterclasses at the college level. Dr. Balija is the Associate Professor of Viola at the University of Virginia and is the Principal Violist with the Charlottesville Symphony.