Hamilton, Ohio, United States
Kasinda Willingham is an accomplished young violist with a growing list of performances and honors that reflect her dedication to her craft. She is a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) Philharmonic, CSO Nouveau program, Cincinnati Starling Strings Project and Peraza Music Workshop (PMW) Chamber Quartet Studio. Kasinda has performed in the Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO) – Advanced Strings Quartet, Brevard Music Center (BMC), and the Butler Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (BYPO). She is actively involved with the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) and the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs (OFMC). She currently studies under Marion Peraza and has been playing viola for two years. Kasinda’s artistry has been shaped by learning opportunities with world-class musicians, including masterclasses with Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason at Cincinnati Music Hall, the Kronos Quartet and Vitamin Quartet at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), Dr. Verrier at the Immanuel School of Music, and pianist Michelle Cann at Music Hall. She has also participated in Chamber Music Day with Karlos Rodriguez and Dr. Sarah Kim at Miami University. Her performance experience includes sharing the stage with internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang, playing in Side-by-Side Concerts with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, performing in CSO Classical Roots concerts at Cincinnati Music Hall, and appearing on Interlochen Public Radio - Studio A with her advanced string chamber quartet. Kasinda’s dedication and talent have earned her multiple honors, including acceptance into the CSO Nouveau Pre Conservatory Program as well as being named a recipient of the CSO MAC Norman E. Johns Chair Award for both the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 seasons.