Andrea Priester Houde

About Andrea

Andrea Priester Houde is a violist whose genuine love and dedication to her craft can be seen in performances around the world and in the unique environment of her teaching studio. Houde is Associate Professor of Viola and String Area Coordinator at West Virginia University, the violist of the WVU Chamber Players, and former Principal Viola of the Lancaster Symphony. She serves on the artist faculty of Interlochen Arts Camp and the Master Players Festival, and has served as a board member of the American Viola Society. Houde has given performances and master classes across the U.S. and in Europe and Asia. Recent performances include a world premiere performance in New Zealand at the International Viola Congress; a lecture recital at the Colburn School in Los Angeles; and a premiere of a new concerto with the Old Dominion University Orchestra. Her first solo recording, The American Viola, was released in 2018 by Albany Records and features early to contemporary American works for the viola, including the historic world premiere of the first American viola composition. Specializing in viola pedagogy, Houde combines performance and teaching in clinics and presentations, including WVU Viola Days and Viola Bootcamps. As an adjudicator, she has judged regional and national MTNA competitions and served as a first-round judge for the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition. She lives in Morgantown, West Virginia, with her husband, Albert, and their four children.

Students accomplish the highest successes when they feel safe enough to, first, make mistakes. I work to create supportive environments where we will face the biggest challenges together step-by-step.