About
Our Mission
HVS seeks to create a community among the professional, amateur and student violists in the Greater Houston area and Southeast Texas. We promote interest in the viola by encouraging performance and recording at the highest artistic level, advocating the continued study and research of the viola and its repertoire, and fostering the ongoing development of the local violist community.
To view the Houston Viola Society Bylaws, click here.
Who We Are
The Houston Viola Society is gathering place for Professional, Amateur, and Student Violists in the Greater Houston Area.
The Board
All Houston Viola Society events and operations are made possible by the volunteers that serve on our Executive Board. It is through their generosity and hard work that we are able to present our concerts, recitals, educational initiatives and other activities.
Rainey Weber
President
Secretary
Siggy Yap
Treasurer
Sergein Yap attended Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, the New England Conservatory, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Mr. Yap is a core member of the KINETIC Ensemble and Loop38. Mr. Yap serves as the Treasurer of the Houston Viola Society and Chair of the Education Committee.
Meghan Beaudry
Meghan Beaudry earned her B.M. and M.M. at SUNY Purchase and at the University of Hartford. A Suzuki and traditional teacher, she maintains a full studio of students ages 3 to 92. Ms. Beaudry’s students have earned top spots in state and regional competitions. Several of Ms. Beaudry’s students have received full or partial scholarships to study music in college. Currently, Ms. Beaudry serves on the Education and Performance boards at HVS.
Whitney Bullock
Laura Cividino
Laura Cividino is an Italian violinist and violist who performs and teaches in Houston, TX. She is also a founding member of Carya String Quartet. She is honored to serve on the performance committee of the Houston Viola Society. @lillycivi
New Board Member
Rene Salazar
Native Texan violist, Eliseo Rene Salazar, has served as Principal Viola with the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Orchestra since January 2004. Mr. Salazar attended the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with Mark Jackobs of the Cleveland Orchestra and received his Bachelor’s Degree. He began his graduate studies at Southern Methodist University with Barbara Sudweeks and continued at Indiana University with Atar Arad where he received his Master’s Degree. Mr. Salazar has also studied with Robert Vernon, Donald McInnis, Alan DeVeritch, and Ronald Neal. He is an avid chamber musician and has played with many groups around the Houston area, including St Cecilia Chamber Players, Musiqa, Camerata Ventapane, Texas New Music Ensemble, and Aperio. Mr. Salazar has attended numerous summer festivals including the Taos Summer Chamber Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and Spoleto USA Festival. He currently spends his summers in southern Oregon where he plays with the Britt Festival Orchestra.
Rachel Shepard
Rachel Shepard is the Assistant Concertmaster of the Houston Ballet Orchestra and also performs with Houston Grand Opera, Mercury Houston, and works as a substitute violinist for the Houston Symphony and River Oaks Chamber Orchestra. Rachel is a devoted teacher, with over ten years teaching experience. She has worked as a violin and viola instructor for the Houston Youth Symphony Melody and Coda programs since 2013, teaching individual lessons and group classes. Rachel has also worked as a chamber music coach and sectional coach for AFA’s Chamber Music Academy and Summer Music Festival since 2014, serving as acting String Department Head in the summer of 2019. Rachel completed her Masters of Music degree from Rice University, studying with Kenneth Goldsmith, and her Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University, where she studied under Eliot Chapo. She serves on the Education Committee for HVS.
Dawson White
dawsonwhiteviola.com