Kim Kashkashian

World renowned musician who has caused the repertoire for the viola to be greatly enlarged through collaborations with composers such as Kurtág, Penderecki, Schnittke, Arvo Pärt, Tigran Mansurian and many others. She has been a tireless advocate for her instrument. She has broadened the viola's range of voice and technique and the finest young talents of today and the last 30 years have sought her out as a mentor. Her discography includes collaborations with Gidon Kremer, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Levin, and the Guarneri String Quartet as well as a Grammy Award for the works for solo viola of Kurtag and Ligeti. She is deeply committed to civic engagement, acting as Artistic Director of Music for Food.