bio

Celaya Kirchner currently resides in Northern Virginia after receiving her Masters in Violin Performance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst under the tutelage of renowned pedagogue Elizabeth Chang. There, she received a string quartet fellowship, performing four chamber music recitals and playing in masterclasses for members of the Cleveland Quartet, Ying Quartet, and Dover Quartet as well as many others. For her undergraduate degree, Ms. Kirchner studied with David Salness of the Left Bank Quartet, at the University of Maryland. She also attended numerous summer chamber music festivals, including Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, and Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music. In the summer of 2018, Ms. Kirchner travelled to Piobbico, Italy to participate in the Brancaleoni International Music Festival, performing in a 13th century castle as well as in other venues in the Marche region. Ms. Kirchner also enjoys orchestral playing, regularly performing with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra as well as participating in the National Orchestral Institute and Festival. In January 2019, Ms. Kirchner formed the Milo Trio along with cellist Emma Hays Johnson and pianist Carl Banner. The Milo Trio play regularly in the D.C. metro area, performing works from every period of music. Their current project is an eight concert historical survey of piano trios, beginning with Haydn and ending with contemporary composers. Ms. Kirchner is also extremely passionate about teaching and currently teaches at the Richardson School of Music in Takoma Park as well as privately around the D.C. metropolitan area.