Viola player Sophia Acheson Photo: NZSO
There's a special celebration of the viola coming up this July, when players from all around the world gather in Campinas, Brazil, for the 49th International Viola Congress.
New Zealand violist Sophia Acheson will be presenting works for viola and taonga pūoro at the Viola Congress, along with taonga pūoro specialist Ariana Tikao.
Violist Sophia Acheson and taonga pūoro specialist Ariana Tikao Photo: Supplied / Sophia Acheson
In orchestras and chamber ensembles, the viola is often thought of as the 'harmony' instrument.
"We actually get to do so much more than just the middle voice", Sophia says. "Sometimes we're the melody, sometimes we're the bass line, sometimes we fill out those middle harmonies."
"It's an exciting place to be, I think!"
