Ava Kenney, Violin

Ava is honored and excited by the opportunity to perform with THE WISCONSIN Chamber Orchestra.

Madison violinist Ava Kenney began her musical studies through Suzuki Strings of Madison and currently studies with Eugene Purdue.

Ava is an accomplished violinist and has always been passionate about performing. She made her solo orchestral debut at the age of 13 with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, WYSO Philharmonia Orchestra and will be performing with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Middleton Community Orchestra and WYSO Youth Orchestra in 2022. Ava has also been featured on NPR's From the Top, WPR's Midday Show and WMVO - Voice of Monona's Sunday Afternoon Live with Buzz Kemper. Ava is in her seventh season performing with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras under the direction of Kyle Knox, where she also enjoys performing chamber music on violin and viola.

Ava has spent her summers at the Heifetz International Music Institute, Center Stage Strings, Northwestern Summer Violin Institute, and Bowdoin International Music Festival. She has performed in masterclasses for Danielle Belen, Madeleine Mitchell, Robert Lipsett, Ilya Kaler, Blair Milton, Violaine Melancon, Sharan Leventhal and Simon James.

In addition to this year’s Young Artist Concerto Competition, Ava was a winner of the 2022 WYSO Youth Competition, 2020 Milwaukee Symphony Audrey G. Baird Stars of Tomorrow Competition, 2019 Middleton Community Orchestra Young Artist Competition, 2018 Madison Symphony Orchestra Fall Youth Concerto Competition, 2018 WYSO Philharmonia Concerto Competition, and was a finalist of the 2021 Center Stage Strings Solo Competition.

Ava also enjoys composing, exploring new and underrepresented music, performing outreach concerts with family and friends, and is the Arts Editor for the Sword & Shield newspaper.