ANNABELLE SPOTO (viola) is a Georgia native currently based in Cleveland, Ohio. She is pursuing a Master of Music degree in the studio of Lynne Ramsey at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Prior to her time in Cleveland, Spoto completed her undergraduate degree with Kathryn Plummer at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. During her time at Vanderbilt, she served as principal viola in the Vanderbilt Orchestra and performed with ensembles such as the Nashville Ballet Orchestra.
An avid orchestral musician, Spoto appears frequently with the Canton Symphony and Cleveland Women’s Orchestra. She has also been fortunate to perform with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Ballet Orchestra, and Eastern Festival Orchestra. Additionally, she has served as principal viola in the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra. This will be her third summer at EMF, and second summer as an orchestral fellow.
In addition to her love for all things orchestral, Spoto also greatly enjoys chamber music. Her Atlanta based string quartet, S4zando, won the grand prize in the 2020 Franklin Pond Chamber Music Competition. Most recently, her chamber group was selected to play in a masterclass for Philip Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet. Her groups have been featured in showcases at both CIM and Vanderbilt.