Olivia Bolles is a violinist from Illinois, currently studying with Dr. Katherine McLin at
Arizona State University, where she is pursuing a degree in Violin Performance. Olivia has been
playing since she was four years old, and began her studies at a Suzuki school in Chicago. Her
recent private teachers are Dr. Sarah Gentry at Illinois State University and Professor Danwen
Jiang at Arizona State University. Along with her solo performances, Olivia is an active
orchestral and collaborative musician at ASU. She has also had experience in concertmaster and
principal roles at orchestra festivals. In past years, Olivia has attended the Chamber Music
Academy at University of Illinois, the Violin Institute at Interlochen Center for the Arts,
Montecito International Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and National Orchestral
Institute. She has won several competitions in the Illinois area, including the Young Artists
Competition in 2018, when she received the opportunity to play Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
with the Peoria Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Olivia has had the opportunity to work in
masterclasses with David Kim, Melissa White, Jupiter String Quartet, and Brooklyn Rider, as
well as Maestros Tito Muños, Gerard Schwarz, Ken Lam, and Marin Alsop.

Olivia believes her role as a teacher is to be the student’s biggest supporter, but also their
biggest motivator. The relationship between the student and teacher should be one of mutual
respect and trust. Olivia will always have her students’ best interests as individuals and
musicians in mind, and will prioritize their mental and physical health above their musical
growth. Olivia has been taking private violin lessons since she was 4, so she has had years of
experience learning from experienced teachers. Her first teachers were extremely influential in
her own life and inspiration as a violinist, and she hopes that she can be that same spark and
safe space for other young people.