Trevor Torres, viola

Trevor is a first year viola student who graduated in June 2011 from Long Beach Polytechnic High School. He performed with their symphony under the baton of Andy Osman and studied privately with Paula Fishman. From third to eighth grade he played violin, but during middle school he became interested in leadership roles within the ensemble and switched to the viola. He noticed that because the viola is awkward to control and difficult to play—requiring strict attention to posture—many people avoid the challenge.

He is a very active musician and is also a member of the Colburn Honors Chamber Quartet and Poly's Advance Chamber Orchestra. He has been a member of the Colburn Chamber Orchestra, All District Orchestra, Orange County Advance Chamber Music and was the principal violist for the All-State 2008 and All-Southern 2007 orchestras.

Trevor has received scholarships from the Colburn School of Music and from both his high school and middle school (Hughes). He attended Arrowbear from 2005-7 and spent a summer at Interlochen.

He cites his first viola teacher, Paula Fishman, as the one who "pushed him" and encouraged him to "continue." John Hayhust, violist for the LA Philharmonic, is one of his private teachers who has taught him to combine the both the serious and light side of performance. Paul Coletti of the Colburn School has also been a tremendous influence. Additionally, Trevor studied with Andrew Duckles and is currently a student of Josephine Moerschel.

When I asked why he chose CSULB he replied, "Convenience—cost and location. It was affordable and close to home."

Trevor also teaches violin and viola lessons to elementary and middle school students and is available for weddings and other special events.