Kalamazoo Violin Choir
Artist Statement
Kalamazoo Violin Choir aims to connect young violinists to their communities through innovative repertoire and stories and to bring a new tone and color to young people’s live music performances. They strive to foster a deeper connection between live music and society, using the power of music to inspire and uplift. As they say in their group: music can comfort, change, create, connect, and celebrate, so let’s make some music!
About the Founder:
Negar Dena Afazel is a dedicated violinist, teaching artist, and advocate for social change. She holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in violin performance from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and is the recipient of prestigious awards, including the Presser Music Award (2023), the Arkady Fomin Scholarship (2022), and the Artistic Excellence Scholarship from Peabody Conservatory (2022).
Negar has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. She has participated in numerous festivals, including the Ad Astra Music Festival, Montecito Music Festival, Electronic Music Midwest Festival, SPLICE Festival, and Orfeo Music Festival. She is a former Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Artist Scholar (2017-2019) and one of the three winners of the 2019 Irving S. Gilmore School of Music Concerto Competition for her performance of Violin Concerto op.35 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
In addition to her performing career, Negar is a passionate teaching artist with ten years of experience teaching violin and leading ensemble programs. She has taught students of all ages and levels, fostering a love of music and a sense of community. She is the founder and director of the Kalamazoo Violin Choir; a violin ensemble that emphasizes cultural awareness and live performance, incorporating music from diverse cultures and integrating other art forms like storytelling and visual art.
Negar is committed to using music as a platform for positive change and empowering young people. She actively seeks opportunities to engage with diverse communities through her music and is passionate about creating inclusive and welcoming learning environments.
Beyond her musical pursuits, Negar enjoys baking, cooking, reading, crafting, and tending to her plants. She is also a dedicated Pilates enthusiast.
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