Damon Zavala, Los Angeles-based violist and violinist, has been deeply connected to music since childhood, thanks to his family’s diverse musical influences. His musical journey began as a young violist in Oregon, where he earned numerous accolades, including winning the Salem Youth Symphony Concerto Competition and securing two OSAA state titles.
Seeking broader horizons, Damon ventured 2000 miles to Nashville to study at Vanderbilt University under Kathryn Plummer, Daniel Reinker, and María Romero-Ramos. There, he explored a wide range of musical genres, from baroque to bluegrass, collaborating with various artists and studios.
Currently, Damon serves as the Music Program Coordinator for several middle school orchestra programs in Santa Monica, where he has broadened his role from performer to arts administrator. Through his work with the Sphinx Orchestral Futurist Fellowship & Residency Program, Damon has been able to parlay his performance career into impactful leadership positions within arts education. This experience has allowed him to develop and oversee innovative music education programs that foster inclusivity and artistic excellence.
Presently, Damon is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at UCLA while also instructing string chamber studies part-time under the direction of Brian Chen and Movses Pogossian. Alongside his studies, Damon is also pursuing his Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification through UCLA. This combination of advanced project management training and practical experience in arts administration equips him with the skills to manage large-scale artistic projects, ensuring they run smoothly from inception to completion.
Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Damon has continued to collaborate with a wide variety of musical groups, showcasing his talent on both violin and viola. Most notably, his involvement with NBC’s show The Voice, as well as collaborations with artists like Young the Giant, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, the American Youth Symphony, California Young Artists Symphony, and as section violist with the New West Symphony, suggests his expanding reach and influence in the vibrant and diverse music industry of Southern California.
Beyond performance, Damon’s commitment to cultural advocacy is at the heart of his work. Whether managing behind-the-scenes operations at music festivals, most recently at Festival Del Lago in Ajijic, Mexico, or leading initiatives through the Sphinx Orchestral Futurist Fellowship & Residency Program, his focus remains on expanding representation and creating spaces where underrepresented communities can thrive. His dual role as both arts administrator and an advocate through Sphinx allows him to actively shape the classical music landscape, assuring that the rich tapestry of Black and Brown stories and sounds is celebrated and heard in music venues across the world.
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