Close this window Jorge Ávila Violin Born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Jorge Ávila began his violin studies at age 14. During his studies in Honduras, he received first prize in the La Botonia competition. He also toured the United States twice, having appeared as a soloist in "Four Seasons" of Vivaldi as well as First Violinist of the Honduran Youth Quartet and Concertmaster of the Victoriano Lopez Chamber Orchestra. In 1987, Jorge moved to the U.S. to study at the University of Georgia as a full scholarship student. There he served as Concertmaster of the orchestra and member of the Pre-College faculty. The following year, Jorge moved to New York City where he began his studies as a scholarship student at the Mannes College of Music. From Mannes he received both his Bachelor of Music and Professional Studies diplomas. Jorge’s major teachers have included Jorge Corpus, David Nadien, Charles Castleman and Jose Chaín-Barbot. He also studied chamber music with members of the Juilliard Quartet and the Galimir Quartet, as well as with Leon Fleisher, Gilbert Kalish and Timothy Eddy. A recipient of numerous awards and honors, Jorge was the first Honduran to receive his resident status in the United States under the "extraordinary talent" category. Most recently, he was awarded first prize at the 2001 Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Competition. Currently an active freelance performer and teacher in the New York area, Jorge is a founding member of the Chalfonte Quartet. He performs as a chamber musician with the Abaca String Band, Positive Music, Prism Ensemble and Musicians’ Accord. Jorge has also appeared as Concertmaster with numerous groups, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral Orchestra, José Limón Dance Company, Bachanalia, Philharmonia Virtuosi, Greenwich Symphony, Grace Church Orchestra, The New Amsterdam Symphony, Tanglewood Music Center, and the Mannes College of Music Orchestra. Jorge also frequently appeared as the onstage violinist in The Music Man on Broadway; he has also played in the orchestras of other Broadway shows, such as The Scarlet Pimpernel, Aida, Annie Get Your Gun and The Producers. Considered as one of today’s leading young Latin American violinists, Jorge has performed as a soloist with orchestras in Europe, Asia and both Central and South America. In the New York City area, he has appeared as a soloist with the Riverside Orchestra, Hofstra Symphony, New Amsterdam Symphony, City Island Chamber Orchestra and The Bronx Arts Ensemble. He recently appeared as Concertmaster and soloist with the New York Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.