ViolinAnna Skálová
Anna Skálová joined the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2012. She has appeared in several chamber music concerts in the San Diego area, including performances with Art of Élan, Camera Lucida and Luscious Noise. Before joining the SDSO, Ms. Skálová graduated with a Performer Diploma from Indiana University in 2012 under the tutelage of Jaime Laredo and with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2011, where she studied with Stephen Shipps. Upon graduation from the University of Michigan she was awarded the prestigious Augustus Stanley Award for distinguished work in music.
Ms. Skálová has served as concertmaster of the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Indiana University Orchestra and Michigan Philharmonic (with which she also appeared as a soloist). In 2007 she participated in the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall as the assistant concertmaster, and in 2010 she returned as concertmaster.
Ms. Skálová has earned the Grand Prize in the Michigan American String Teachers Association Competition and First Prize at the ASTA Competition. She was a winner of the concerto competitions of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra (Michigan) and the University of Michigan. She appeared as a soloist with the University of Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra (Brazil) and in the Eighth Emirates International Peace Music Festival in Dubai. She has performed recitals in the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, France, Poland, the United States and Singapore.
Anna Skálová has participated in master classes with Shlomo Mintz, William Preucil and Rugierro Ricci. This year she will participate in the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme in Aldeburgh, UK.
GETTING TO KNOW ANNA SKÁLOVÁ...
Q: What are three of your favorite tunes or pieces in your iPod or mp3 or CD collection?
A: I can't really say which songs or pieces are my favorite ones because there are too many. But some of them include “Across The Universe” and “I Am The Walrus” by The Beatles, the album Hot Space by Queen or Brahms's Symphony No. 4. But this is just a fraction of songs/pieces that I like.
Q: How did you choose your instrument?
A: When I was little, I used to sing everywhere and all the time. My to-be violin teacher heard me sing songs in our local music school and he suggested to my parents that I should start playing the violin.
Q: What are three of your favorite movies?
A: Forrest Gump, Pan's Labyrinth, and I love the show Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Q: What are your favorite travel destinations?
A: I really liked it in Singapore and it would be great to go back there; the countryside of the Czech Republic has a special place in my heart and I hope to visit Hawaii.
Q: Can you name some favorite composers and/or musical periods?
A: Locatelli, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Martinu, Stravinsky, Ravel
Q: What good book have you read most recently?
A: Recently I have read a book called First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung, which made a big impression on me.
Q: The non-musical accomplishment you are most proud of is…?
A: A while ago I made a rather complicated bracelet that I like. Also I recently ran for four miles for the first time and made my favorite meal Goulash for the first time as well. I am very proud of all three of these accomplishments.