Meet Devin Burgess, Viola

Devin Burgess, Viola Bio:

Devin Burgess grew up in the Finger Lakes region in New York. She began violin lessons at age four. Devin received her Bachelor’s in Music Performance from Baldwin Wallace University, where she studied violin with Dr. Barton Rotberg and Viola with Lembi Veskimets. During her Master’s degree in Viola Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Oregon, Devin held a graduate assistantship playing with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra and teaching through the University's Community Music Institute. A student of Arnaud Ghillebaert, she was awarded Outstanding Graduate Performer in Strings upon graduation. She received her post master’s Graduate Performance Certificate from DePaul University, where she studied with Ann Marie Brink—during her time at DePaul University, Devin also served as an associate member for the Chicago Civic Orchestra. When away from her viola, Devin enjoys playing the drums, writing short stories, and playing hockey.

Devin Burgess, Q&A:

GFS: When did you first start playing the Viola?

DB: I started taking violin lessons when I was four, and started playing the Viola when I was twenty.

GFS: Who was most influential in shaping your talent and inspiring your passion for music and the Viola?

DB: My violin teacher when I was a teenager was Mr. Deglans.

GFS: What stories come to mind that led to your choice to make music a focus in your life?

DB: When I was four, a family friend played the violin, and I wanted to be just like him, so I badgered my mother until she signed me up to take lessons, but at my first violin lesson, I was so shy that I spent the whole thing hiding under a table. When I was eleven, I got to see Sarah Chang perform, and I think that’s what triggered me wanting to become a musician when I grew up.

GFS: What do you like to do outside of your career as a professional musician?

DB: I love to play hockey, rollerblade, garden, and make soup.

GFS: What music are you listening to right now?

DB: Caroline Shaw’s Orange for Quartet and the album Antisocialites by the band Alvvays.

GFS: What are you most looking forward to in the Glens Falls Symphony 2025-26 Season?

DB: I’m looking forward to playing Pictures at an Exhibition!

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