Lauren Burns Hodges, “a distinguished violist with a refined, mellow tone” (American Record Guide), is currently Associate Professor of Viola at the University of Florida. She has performed and taught masterclasses and body awareness workshops at universities and music festivals throughout the country and abroad in Italy, Austria, France, and China. Her two albums focus primarily on American music: Forgotten Melodies (2020) on the Centaur label and Solace for Mark Custom (2023). Dr. Hodges has been a regular clinician, presenting pedagogical workshops, masterclasses, and performances at American Viola Society Festivals, the College Music Society conferences, the 47th International Viola Congress, and FMEA and ASTA conferences. During the summer, she teaches and performs at festivals such as MasterWorks, Varna International Music Festival, and the Saint Augustine Music Festival. Passionate about promoting the viola and engaging with the community, she hosts an annual viola day at UF. www.laurenburnshodges.com