Vannia Phillips

Viola | Chicago, IL

Vannia Phillips received a BA in philosophy from Villanova University before pursuing a Bachelor of Music at Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Jeff Irvine and Lynne Ramsey. She studied with Rami Solomonov at DePaul University, completing her Master of Music in performance. 

Vannia has been a member of the Chicago Sinfonietta since 1998. For twelve years she was the violist of Lyra Quartet, the Quartet-in-Residence at Carthage College. Vannia has performed with Chicago Opera Theater, Music of the Baroque, Fulcrum Point, and several other ensembles in the Chicago area. A lover of period instrument music, Vannia has played baroque viola with Baroque Band, Chicago Opera Theater, and True Colors Baroque.

Vannia also enjoys contemporary popular music. She has recorded and performed with local rock group Sleeping at Last and can be heard on recordings with Mono, James McCartney, Kim Deal, Poi Dog Pondering, and Lesser Birds of Paradise. She has performed with artists Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Smokey Robinson, Brian Wilson, Barry Manilow, Vince Gill, Ben Vereen, Belle and Sebastien, Todd Rungren, Bernadette Peters, the Eagles, and Wilco. She appeared with the rapper Common on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and with Josh Groban on Oprah. 

Passionate about teaching, Vannia regularly undertakes pedagogical training. She is on faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago where she teaches Suzuki as well as traditional violin and viola.