ALMA LISA FERNANDEZ, Violist, is from Solana Beach, California. She attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and UCLA, where she recieved a Master's Degree in Viola Performance. Her primary teachers include Mary Gerard, Jeffrey Irvine, Evan Wilson, and Ralph Fielding. While attending UCLA, she was a member of the Alma String Quartet, which received the Russell Award at the Coleman Chamber Music Competition (2000). Since 2003, she has been a member of the Denali String Quartet, which performs regularly at the Jacaranda Chamber Music Series in Santa Monica. Alma is also a member of the Quimby String Trio--an ensemble devoted to performing for children at various schools in the Los Angeles area. In April, 2007 Alma performed the U.S. premier of Tigran Mansurian's Duo for Percussion and Viola as part of the Synergy Ensemble Chamber Music Series. She also performed in a string quartet by the same composer as part of the Dilijan Chamber Music Series. Alma is also active in the Los Angeles recording industry, having played for numerous record albums and motion picture soundtracks. She is a member of the New West Symphony &  Mladi Chamber Orchestra, and is a previous member of Opera Pacific & San Bernardino Symphony. She performs regularly with the L.A. Opera Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Long Beach Symphony.