Carina Voly Named as new Music Director for Rocky Ridge Carina Voly, who is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, began cello studies at the Conservatorio Nacional and later received a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music and Dance in Israel. Upon coming to the United States, Voly was recognized as a Bolz Fellow in String Pedagogy and Cello at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and received a Master of Music degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy.

Voly has performed everything from chamber and orchestral to folk and world music. She has performed with orchestras in Argentina, Israel and the United States including Solistas de Buenos Aires, Bat Yam Symphony Orchestra, Ramat Gan Chamber Orchestra, the Green Bay Symphony, the Madison Symphony and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. She has also appeared on radio programs in Argentina and the United States, including Wisconsin Public Radio's "Live at the Elvehjem."

Since 1995, Voly has been Director of Chamber Music for the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras where she oversees more than fifty chamber groups each season. She teaches a large private Cello studio, and is founding member of the Crossroads Trio with whom she performs Chamber Music from the World. Ms. Voly resides in Madison, Wisconsin.

Norman Paulu, president of the Rocky Ridge Board of Trustees notes: "Carina Voly is exactly what we need in the position of Music Director and we feel so fortunate to have found such a highly qualified person. Her enthusiasm for chamber music and it's utilization in the training of talented young musicians is boundless. The future of Rocky Ridge is in excellent hands.”

The Summer music programs of Rocky Ridge take place on its 18 acre campus at the base of Long's Peak near Rocky Mountain National Park. Each summer over 160 students between the ages of 10-22 from throughout the United States and many foreign countries travel to Rocky Ridge to live and work with its acclaimed artist faculty. Music in the Mountains, the annual summer concert series features performances by faculty musicians and guest artists as well as student performances.

Rocky Ridge is located in the former Hewes Kirkwood lodge built in 1907 and one of the finest examples of log construction of the period.It was named a National Historic District in 1995 and is also on the Colorado Register of historic buildings. It has offered summer music programs since 1942 and ranks as one of the oldest classical music camps in the United States.

Carina Voly states: It is a honor to be appointed to this position, and a great responsibility to uphold the long-running tradition of the Rocky Ridge Music Center. There are many challenges in the position, but I am excited by the tremendous opportunities that the Center offers. I am eager to continue the tradition and to seek new opportunities for the Center, following in the footsteps of my predecessors, Beth Miller Harrod and Elizabeth Mueller Grace. I look forward to working with the wonderful team of people that make up the Rocky Ridge Music Center--everyone is so enthusiastic and committed to excellence in education, and that matches my own energy and commitment to music education.”