Nathaly Bonilla, Viola

Nathaly is 17 years old and a senior in J. Frank Dobie High School. She is a Violist and has played Viola for eight years. She also plays multiple more instruments like the Violin, accordion, guitar, electric bass, and ukulele. She won her first scholarship in her ninth-grade year from the Black Violin Foundation. In her first UIL Solo and Ensemble contest in eighth grade, she played a grade 3 solo and got a 1. In her 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years, she played a grade 1 solo and won the superior award. She also auditioned for the TMEA Region 19 Orchestra and for her first-time auditioning, she earned fourth chair. In her second year of auditioning, she earned first chair. In her third year, she played first chair for the symphony TMEA Region 19 orchestra. She’s been the first chair in her regional orchestra ever since. Nathaly is also currently part of the Dobie Varsity High School Orchestra, which is under the instruction of Angela Badon, Stephen Payne, and Tam Doung. She is also currently studying Viola privately with Sarah Mason. She has studied with her for two years. When Nathaly is not practicing, she likes to write, research, garden, volunteer, and exercise.