Karlyn R. Viña, D.M.A.

About Karlyn

Praised by the South Florida Classical Review for her "dazzling" and "incisive" performance, Dr. Karlyn Viña is a dynamic and creative percussionist based in Virginia. Viña serves as Assistant Professor of Percussion at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia, and previously taught at Florida International University and New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida. During the summers, Viña serves as a percussion faculty member at Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan.

Viña maintains a busy schedule as an orchestral, chamber, and solo percussionist; she has a particular interest in works that incorporate theatrical elements. Recent performance highlights include several seasons with Palm Beach Symphony and Florida Grand Opera, as well as performances with Madera Viva, a bassoon and percussion duo with Dr. Carlos Felipe Viña.

In addition to her teaching and performing, Viña is proud to serve on the Percussive Arts Society's Board of Advisors and New Music/Research Committee. She was a co-host and producer of the @Percussion Podcast from 2018-2022. Viña earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Miami as a fellow of the Henry Mancini Institute. Her dissertation focuses on the performance of works for theatrical percussion by Globokar, Kagel, and Smith. She also holds degrees in Percussion Performance and Music Education from Boston Conservatory and the University of Maryland.

In addition to helping students develop technical and musical skills across percussion instruments, it's very important to me to help students establish effective, efficient practice habits and develop their own voices as musicians.