About the University Sinfonia 

The UAA Sinfonia, directed by Dr. Lee Wilkins and Walter Olivares is the main string performing ensemble, in which students rehearse and perform alongside faculty members and the directors. In collaboration with the Wind Ensemble and University Singers, Sinfonia performs symphonic and choral repertoire on many of its concerts.

The orchestra rehearses Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 5:45 P.M.

The Sinfonia's primary function is to provide a performing ensemble for the department of music's majors and minors; membership is however drawn from all academic areas of the University as well as from the community.

For more information please contact Dr. Lee Wilkins or Walter Olivares. We are also on Facebook!

String Chamber Ensemble

In addition to the Sinfonia, students participate in small ensembles. Chamber music ensembles are available for students interested in groups from Duets to Octets and beyond. Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussions and Piano can combine to rehearse and perform works from a wide spectrum of these combinations of instruments. Weekly coaching and public performances are part of the course.

String Master Class

Master class is a weekly performance class for all music majors and minors. Here students can prepare their public performances in front of their peers and professor, receive helpful feedback as well as pedagogical assistance.

8th Annual UAA String Competition

Click Here for Application Form

Director Information for University Sinfonia

Walter Olivares, Associate Professor - Violin/UAA Sinfonia/String Master Class

Chilean born violinist Walter Olivares was described by the New York Times at his Carnegie Recital Hall debut as “the last word in refinement”. He began his musical studies at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música de la Universidad de Chile and finished the upper division requirements at the Escuela Moderna de Música. A protégé of maestro Zoltan Fischer, he moved to the US to study with Dr. James Barber and later on with Ivan Galamian and Raphael Bronstein of the Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music respectively. The vast list of successful violin students that have graduated under his tutelage teach, perform and conduct at the most prestigious musical institutions in the US, Latin America and Europe. Mr. Olivares serves as the Head of the String Division at UAA.

Office: ARTS 366

Email: wgolivares@uaa.alaska.edu

Phone: 786-4711

Dr. Lee Wilkins - High Strings/UAA Sinfonia

Violinist, violist and conductor Lee Wilkins has returned to Anchorage after more than 20 years of performing and teaching including ten years teaching at the Eastman School of Music. At UAA Dr. Wilkins teaches violin and viola as well as co-directs the UAA Sinfonia.  Dr. Wilkins has performed and recorded internationally everything from classical music to comedy. The Anchorage Civic Orchestra premiered his most recent composition, “The American 1812 Overture” last year. As a conductor Dr. Wilkins recently conducted the Alaska All-State Orchestra and the Anchorage Concert Chorus’s production of “Messiah”. Dr. Wilkins received his D.M.A. from Stony Brook University. Dr. Wilkins’ teachers include Ivan Galamian, Dorothy DeLay, Josef Gingold and Paul Rosenthal. The Eastman School of Music awarded Dr. Wilkins their highest honor for excellence in teaching.

Office: ARTS 352

Email: lmwilkins@uaa.alaska.edu

Phone: 786-5411