Culture Days - Violin with Ava Shadmani (K-Grade 4)

Join Ava Shadmani for an hour of casual, friendly exploration of the violin—perfect for kids who want to give it a try! Some child-sized violins will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own.

Ava Shadmani earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She studied with David Perry of the Pro Arte Quartet and was awarded a full scholarship position in UW’s prestigious graduate string quartet.

Ava’s career is distinguished by her dedication to both performance and education.  As a versatile musician, Ava has performed extensively across Iran, Europe, and North America. She has collaborated with a diverse range of artists and ensembles, contributing to a rich and varied musical landscape. With a deep passion for Persian culture and music, Ava has appeared in multiple concerts and projects performing works by Iranian composers. In 2021, Ava was awarded the David and Edith Sinaiko Frank fellowship for a Woman in the Arts for her project Unheard Voices of Iran in the United States. This project introduces folk-inspired compositions by Iranian composers, with the goal of fostering an understanding of two cultures seemingly impossibly divided, East to West, Ancient to Modern.

In addition to her performance career, Ava has a rich background in educational outreach and teaching. She has worked with students of all ages, designing programs that make musical learning both accessible and enjoyable. As the Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Ava oversees a broad array of educational initiatives and concerts. Teaching has always been a cornerstone of Ava’s career; through outreach efforts and private instruction, she has nurtured a love of music in her students, helping them to confidently express their musical ideas and develop their skills.