Violist Paul Laraia is enjoying the early stages of a multifaceted career as soloist, chamber musician, and quartet violist. Acclaimed for offering “long lines with lyricsm and poise”, in recent seasons Paul has soloed with the Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Bogata, New Jersey, and Nashville Symphonies, traveled all over the world as a principal member of the International Sejong Soloists, and has given hundreds of performances globally with the rising Catalyst Quartet, which Paul joined in 2013. Additionally, he is in demand as a freelance chamber musician, and has been guest artist at many major festivals such as the Yellow Barn, Sarasota, Festival Del Sole, Sitka, Banff, Grand Canyon, and Vail, where he has collaborated with artists such as Donald Weilerstein, Roger Tapping, Anthony Marwood, Michael Kannen, Maria Lambros, Natasha Brofsky, Daniel Phillips, Barry Shiffman, Robert Vermuelan, Joshua Bell, Gil Shaham, Cho-lang Lin, and Stephan Milenkovich.
Originally from Sewell New Jersey, Paul began viola with Brynina Socolofsky, the disciple of viola pedagogue Leonard Mogill. He continued his studies with Choon-jin Chang, and Che-hung Chen under scholarship through Temple University’s Center for Talented Youth and the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. In 2007, he entered the New England Conservatory of Music with full scholarship under Kim Kashkashian. Paul was a first prize laureate of the Sphinx Competition, and has been featured on National Radio on numerous occasions.
Paul believes that it is crucial to bring classical music to new audiences, and actively engages in outreach performances, masterclasses, new music, and explores the boundaries of what we traditionally conceive of as “classical music.” Read More…
Mayfest 