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B i o g r a p h y

Renowned for her “ravishingly sweet” tone (Limelight), GRAMMY®-nominated violinist Anna Marie Williams has been described as “a glowing presence” (Boston Globe) and “truly amazing” (Fanfare Magazine). Both a celebrated soloist and chamber musician, Ms. Williams’ performances have been lauded by The New York Times, BBC Radio 3, and the Boston Musical Intelligencer, among others, as “enthusiastic and artful,” “beautifully shaped” (Wall Street Journal), and filled with “energy and elegance.”

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Ms. Williams has performed at major venues across the United States and internationally, including Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Fisher Center at Bard College, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Rockport Celtic Festival, and prestigious halls in the UK, Japan, Finland, Serbia, the Netherlands, and Spain. Her recent solo engagements include the world premiere of Robert Paterson’s Summit under the baton of Joann Falletta, with additional performances with ensembles such as the Mostly Modern Orchestra, Virginia Commonwealth Symphony, California Chamber Orchestra, and the San Diego State University Symphony.

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As the founding violinist of the critically acclaimed Neave Trio, Ms. Williams has toured with the ensemble on stages around the world. Recognized as “a consummate ensemble” (Palm Beach Daily News) with “bright and radiant music-making” (WQXR), the GRAMMY-nominated Neave Trio has become known for its dedication to both classic and underrepresented works. Limelight describes Neave Trio as having “earned themselves a place at chamber music’s top table through a combination of technical excellence, musical probity and intelligent and involving programming.”

Signed to Chandos Records as Exclusive Recording Artists, the Neave Trio’s discography reflects their commitment to exploring new artistic ground, with each release earning both audience and critical acclaim.

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Neave Trio's debut Chandos album, American Moments, features works by Foote, Bernstein, and Korngold and was hailed for its nuanced interpretations. The success of American Moments led to French Moments, a collection of works by Fauré, Roussel, and Debussy, which earned a spot on WQXR’s “Best New Recordings of 2018.” In 2018, the trio ventured into Latin American repertoire with Celebrating Piazzolla on the GRAMMY-winning Azica label, featuring The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires and other works by Piazzolla. Gramophone described the recording as “thrilling,” with “wild energy,” while Classics Today wrote, “the energetic edginess, the snap, the rhythm sound convincing, totally invigorating, and authentic.”

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Neave Trio’s Her Voice, released in 2019, showcases works by women composers Louise Farrenc, Amy Beach, and Rebecca Clarke, reflecting their commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices. Her Voice was celebrated on BBC Radio 3’s “Best of 2019” list and named one of “The 25 Best Classical Music Tracks of 2019” by The New York Times.

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In 2022, the trio released Musical Remembrances, which earned a GRAMMY® nomination in the Best Classical Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance category. Featuring trios by Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Brahms, this album received enthusiastic support from BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham and Andrew McGregor and high praise from The Wall Street Journal, which noted the trio’s “fine, intelligently paced interpretation” and “expressive alchemy among the players.”

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Their subsequent releases, A Room of Her Own and Rooted, continued to garner critical acclaim. Rooted was named Limelight’s Recording of the Month, and both albums earned spots on multiple “Best of the Year” lists, including The Times. With a continually expanding discography, the Neave Trio remains at the forefront of contemporary chamber music, both for their distinctive sound and their bold, genre-spanning programming.

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Ms. Williams is passionate about collaboration across artistic disciplines, creating immersive, multidisciplinary experiences that connect music with dance, visual art, film, and architecture. Her projects reflect a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional performance, using music as a bridge between different forms of artistic expression. Recent collaborations include a project with celebrated visual artist David Michalek, creating an exploration of music and intentional movement through a live performance installation. Her work with choreographer Richard Colton and the MIT School of Architecture Design blended classical and contemporary influences, merging live music and dance with architectural projections to craft a dynamic performance environment.

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Ms. Williams’ ongoing partnerships with filmmakers and projection artists, such as Amanda Alvarez and Ryan Brady, have led to innovative fusions of live music and multimedia, creating performances that blur the lines between concert and visual experience. Her collaboration with Blythe Barton Dance explores the intersections of classical music and modern dance.

In 2022, Ms. Williams and the Neave Trio premiered Gathering Light, an immersive work combining Ravel’s music with visual projections by Harvard professor Sharon Harper. This piece, which explores the interplay of light, sound, and imagery, reflects Ms. Williams’ and Neave Trio’s dedication to creating experiences that engage audiences in new and unexpected ways.

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Current collaborations include Rising, an evening of music and dance with choreographer Gabrielle Lamb and the PigeonWing Dance company. This performance features a world premiere composition by acclaimed American composer Robert Sirota, offering audiences a reflective, multisensory experience of movement and sound around the topic of climate change and rising sea levels.

Through these interdisciplinary projects, Ms. Williams continues to expand her creative horizons, seeking to expand the role of the traditional piano trio in contemporary artistic landscapes.

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Ms. Williams is currently an Assistant Professor of Violin at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she also serves on the chamber music faculty. She has, with Neave Trio, held residencies at esteemed institutions and festivals, the Mostly Modern Festival, Longy School of Music of Bard College, and the Banff Centre. Neave Trio currently serves as the inaugural ensemble in residence at the Virginia Commonwealth University.

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