UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Several Penn State School of Music alumni and faculty participated in the 2024 International Viola Congress in Campinas, Brazil, over the summer. This event, one of the largest global gatherings of violists, celebrates the artistry and expertise of violists from around the world.
Among the participants were five former Penn State students who have built successful careers across the globe, as well as one current Penn State faculty member. The Penn State participants were:
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Vitor Chagas de Abreu (Professional Performance Certificate, 2013)
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Tim Deighton, professor of viola at Penn State
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Nicola Hicks (Master of Music, 2013; Professional Performance Certificate, 2014)
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Laura Jordão de Lima e Silva (Master of Music, 2006; Master of Music in Violin, 2005)
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Renata Magalhaes Ribeiro (Professional Performance Certificate, 2010; Master of Music, 2012)
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Fábio Saggin (Master of Music, 2018)
These accomplished musicians represent the global reach of Penn State's School of Music and its commitment to excellence in education and performance.
Fábio Saggin, principal violist of the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra and a key organizer of this year's Congress, has been instrumental in making the event a success. In addition to his role as a board member of both the Brazilian Viola Society and the International Viola Society Juventus, Saggin has released his debut solo album, "The Roots of Brazilian Viola Music" (2023), which honors composer Perez Dworecki. He also contributed to the "Underrepresented Composers" album by the American Viola Society and maintains an active private studio in Goiânia, Brazil.
Nicola Hicks, the only non-Brazilian among the group, currently resides in the U.K., where she serves as head of performance at Ampleforth College and maintains a private studio in London. Hicks' diverse career spans classical, contemporary and film music, including performances with the Chineke! Orchestra at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Concertgebouw. She also has collaborated with notable artists such as Chaka Khan, Blur and Michael Bublé.
Vitor Chagas de Abreu, a professor of viola at the State University of Minas Gerais, is an active performer in several orchestras, including the Orquestra Sinfônica de Minas Gerais. His passion for both classical and popular Brazilian music shines through his work with Quarteto 16 Cordas and Quarteto Diamantino. He also runs a private viola studio in Belo Horizonte.
Renata Magalhaes Ribeiro has transitioned into a multifaceted career as a real estate investor and cultural entrepreneur. She manages Anima, Orbe de Transformação, a holistic cultural house in Belo Horizonte that offers a variety of wellness and arts programs. She also performs with the all-women’s choro group Feitiço, bringing her love of Brazilian music to new audiences.
Laura Jordão de Lima e Silva, now a professor of viola at the Federal University of Bahia, continues to enrich the local music scene through her performances with the Bahia Symphony Orchestra and the faculty chamber ensemble, Metamorfosis. Her work reflects her dedication to promoting traditional and contemporary music from Bahia on an international scale.
These Penn State alumni embody the University’s tradition of fostering artistic excellence and cultural exchange. Their participation in the 2024 International Viola Congress is a testament to their remarkable careers and contributions to their craft.