Hailed as a strong violinist by The New York Times, Honduran-born Jorge Avila has won attention as an outstanding violinist through numerous appearances as a soloist, recitalist, concertmaster, and chamber musician. A recipient of various awards and honors, Mr. Avila received his US residency under the “Extraordinary talent” category, later becoming a US Citizen. He was also awarded first prize at the 2001 Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Competition and the “Omar del Carlo” Fellowship at the Tanglewood Music Center. He is the concertmaster of the Ridgefield Symphony and DCINY and has also appeared as concertmaster with The Stamford, Westfield and Greenwich Symphony orchestras, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Long Island Masterworks, Grace Church Orchestra, and Tanglewood Music Center, among many other orchestras. His concerto highlights include recent performances of the Mendelssohn, Brahms and Beethoven concertos, as well as Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with David Finckel and Wu Han. He has often performed live on both television and radio, and in 2008 appeared as Concertmaster for His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, at a televised Mass held at Yankee Stadium. In January 2012, he debuted at Carnegie Hall in a performance of Karl Jenkins’ violin concerto “Sarikiz.” with the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra International of New York under the direction of Jonathan Griffith. Mr. Avila has recorded for Naxos, Nonesuch Records, and other labels. His solo debut CD of Spanish violin and piano Sonatas is being released in 2012 on the Centaur Label.