ROBERT ASHWORTH, VIOLA

Robert Ashworth is an award winning violist who enjoys a very active music life in New Zealand as the Principal viola for the Auckland Philharmonia, violist with the Jade String Quartet, and sought after chamber musician, soloist, mentor, orchestral guest, and someone up for musical collaborations of any genre. He has appeared as soloist with the Auckland Philharmonia on numerous occasions, also performing as soloist with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, and the St. Matthew's Chamber Orchestra. With the Jade String Quartet he has toured throughout New Zealand with Arts on Tour, and as a CMNZ regional artist. He has recorded for Atoll and Rattle labels as well as many performances recorded for Radio New Zealand.

Robert has been guest-principal viola for many Australian orchestras such as the Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony, and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, as well as New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and assistant-principal for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He also loves the musical adventures that come from playing with the Australian World Orchestra.
In 2022, Robert was awarded a NZ music award for Best Classical Artist for his album Moonstone with collaborative pianist Sarah Watkins, and is a twice recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts Award for Emerging Artists. He has performed with various groups at international chamber music festivals in Europe, North America, India, and Japan. He has had the honour to study with violists Thomas Riebl and Veronika Hagen at the Universitaet Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and with Gerald Stanick at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
Robert plays a Canadian "cut-away" viola made in 1995 by John Newton.