Elonia Varfi

Violin

Elonia holds a Master’s degree in Violin Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music. She started playing the violin at the age of six. In addition to her mother, a professional violinist, she was mentored by Laurie Smukler, Daniel Phillips, and Cecylia Arzewski. Before studying in the United States, Elonia graduated with honors from the Academy of Arts in Tirana, Albania and was a member of the Albanian Radio-Television Orchestra. Prior to moving to Atlanta, Elonia was concertmaster of the Mankato Symphony in Minnesota, as well as a member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra. She currently plays with both the Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Opera Orchestras.

In addition to her love of performing, Elonia cherishes teaching the violin. She was an instructor at the Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and for the past two decades that she’s lived in Atlanta, she has taught at the Lovett School, Georgia Academy of Music, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, and Atlanta International School. Her extensive teaching experience is rooted in her passion to open young people’s eyes to the magic of music, and to guide them in their growth as musicians.