Jorge Peña has stablished himself as a violist with a reputation for presenting outstanding innovative programs in chamber music. A former member of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and currently at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Honduran born, Jorge Peña graduated from Columbus State University and the Peabody Conservatory of Music with degrees in performance and chamber music. He studied with Curtis Institute President Roberto Diaz, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra principal viola Richard Field, and Julliard quartet member Earl Carlys.

“He expresses himself with courage and security in an instrument that few stand out like him in the international context.” – El Deber newspaper.

Recognized as an impeccable soloist, he has appeared as soloist in North, South and Central America and Europe. Chamber music holds a special place in his career, together with his wife, Korean cellist Jin Kim-Peña they are founders and play in the Movado Quartet, he often collaborates with highly sought out ensembles like the Ritz Chamber Players, the Dover Quartet and the Diaz Trio.

Founder and Artistic Director of the St. Augustine Music Festival, the largest free music festival in the US held in the oldest US city during last two weeks of June. www.staugustinemusicfestival.org. He organizes and travels with the SAMF Chamber Players and has made appearances at the Midwest Clinic, National Gallery of Art, the Virginia Chamber Orchestra, the Atlanta Virtuosi, Tanglewood Music Center, Grand Teton Music Festival, St. Augustine Music Festival (SAMF), Island Concert Ass., the Ritz Chamber Players, Valdosta SU, UNF and JU.

He also serves as the General Manager of the Coastal Symphony of Georgia in Brunswick Ga.

Lauren Burns Hodges, “a distinguished violist with a refined, mellow tone” (American Record Guide), is currently Associate Professor of Viola at the University of Florida where she also coordinates and teaches Music Appreciation classes.  For six years prior, she was Lecturer in Viola at Valdosta State University, Principal Viola of the Valdosta Symphony, violist of the Azalea String Quartet, and Director of the South Georgia String Project.  She has performed and given masterclasses and body awareness workshops at universities, music festivals, and Viola Day events throughout the country and abroad in Italy, Austria, France, and China. Dr. Hodges has regularly presented, taught masterclasses, or performed at national American Viola Society Festivals, Primrose International Viola Competition and Festivals, the College Music Society Southern and National Conferences, the 47th International Viola Congress, and FMEA and ASTA conferences. During the summer, she teaches and performs at festivals such as MasterWorks, Varna International Music Festival, and the Saint Augustine Music Festival. Twice elected as a board member at large for the American Viola Society, she was also acting secretary. Passionate about promoting the viola and engaging with the community, she hosts an annual viola day at UF. www.laurenburnshodges.com