A violist is a philosopher, a connector, a pioneer and a human voice. To listen more than to draw attention to oneself, being a musician demands extraordinary awareness and aliveness in all our senses while remaining humble and joyful in our pursuit. I hope the VivaViola! community can become a space and support for everyone who loves the viola.
About Keoni Bolding
24-year-old violist Keoni Bolding has already established a career across the US, having appeared as an orchestral player with the New York Philharmonic, as a chamber musician at the US Capitol, and as a soloist in Carnegie’s Weill Hall. Keoni also enjoys sharing music in unconventional spaces, having performed in planetariums, hospitals, NYC jazz clubs, and more.
Keoni is also passionate about arranging and transcribing works for viola and small chamber groups. His transcription of Act II from Tosca captured the Transcription Prize at the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition, and other arrangements have been featured at the Hawaii Chamber Music Festival and On Stage at Curtis.
Keoni holds degrees from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and the Juilliard School and will begin his Artist Diploma at the Curtis Institute of Music. He is fortunate enough to play a viola made by Hiroshi Iizuka on loan from a generous private donor. When he is not playing music, he enjoys helping his family take care of their small dairy farm in Pennsylvania.
