Faculty profile

Sonya Stith Williams is currently the Assistant Concertmaster of Symphoria. Prior to this position, she was a member of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and has performed in many orchestras in the area including the Buffalo Philharmonic.

Sonya holds a B.M. in violin performance and a M.M. in performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music where she studied with the esteemed teachers and performers, Zvi Zeitlin and Ilya Kaler. As part of her training she also attended the Music Academy of the West, the Quartet Program, and the National Orchestral Insitute where she served as concertmaster.  She also participated in a string quartet rural residency program while at Eastman.

She is actively engaged in chamber music and recitals in the Syracuse area including performing with the Skaneateles Festival, Civic Morning Musicals Sundays LIVE Recital Series , La Veck Recital Concerts, Society for New Music, Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music, and Syracuse Stage musical productions.  She is also a member the Finger Lakes Trio and of the Symphoria String Quartet that plays concerts, educational performances, and conducts masterclasses in schools as well as in the community.

Sonya has been guest speaker at the Eastman School's Arts Leadership program, and at the Syracuse University's Women in Leadership organization. She also teaches at Le Moyne College and the Eastern US Music camp. Sonya has served on the Board of Directors at Symphoria, chaired their Education and Outreach Committee, and also serves on the Syracuse YMCA arts branch board.