Allyson Dawkins (74-7) (24th year) (Dean, Viola, Chamber) -Principal Violist of the San Antonio Symphony, has won consistent admiration for her playing as both orchestral soloist and recitalist. Critics have praised the “great sensitivity and intelligence” of her playing, as well as her “full-bodied, velvety tone.” The San Antonio Express-News described her solo performance of Britten’s Lachrymae as “delicate and compelling…with poise, technical security, and in-the-groove freedom.” Of the Ginastera Variaciones concertantes the Express-News said “Top marks go to Allyson Dawkins for a spitfire performance in her demanding solo.”Ms. Dawkins is on the faculty of Trinity University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, and is highly sought after and widely respected as a private teacher. She is co-author, with Charles Castleman, of a technical instruction book for viola titled Fingerboard Memory, and co-editor, with Mr. Castleman, of Emanuel Ondricek’s Superior Finger Exercises . She has performed at the Aspen Music Festival, Colorado Music Festival, Grand Teton Music Festival, Victoria Bach Festival, and as Principal Violist of the Peninsula Music Festival in Door County, Wisconsin and the Sunriver Music Festival in Oregon. She is currently a member of the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Ms. Dawkins received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York at Purchase, and a Master of Music degree and Performer’s Certificate from The Eastman School. Strongly committed to community service, Ms. Dawkins works with cancer patients at Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital in San Antonio. She is also director of the San Antonio Symphony Caroling Project, a program that takes musicians to area hospitals, hospices, corrcctional institutions, and shelters during the December holiday season.