Gabriela Díaz began her musical training at the age of five, studying
piano with her mother, and the next year, violin with her father. A
childhood cancer survivor, Gabriela is committed to supporting cancer
research and treatment as a musician. In 2004, she was awarded a grant
from the Albert Schweitzer Foundation to organize a series of chamber
music concerts in cancer units at various hospitals in Boston, this
project is now a part of her chamber music organization, Winsor Music
winsormusic.org.
A fierce champion of contemporary music, Gabriela has worked closely
with many significant composers, including Pierre Boulez, Joan Tower,
Jessie Montgomery, Tania León, and Helmut Lachenmann. Gabriela is a
member of The International Contemporary Ensemble, A Far Cry, Castle of
Our Skins, Sound Icon, and appears frequently with other chamber music
ensembles throughout the United States.
Gabriela teaches at Wellesley College and the Longy School of Music at
Bard College. Critics have acclaimed Gabriela as “a young violin
master,” and “one of Boston’s most valuable players.” Lloyd Schwartz of
the Boston Phoenix noted, “…Gabriela Diaz in a bewitching performance of
Pierre Boulez’s 1991 Anthèmes. The come-hither meow of Diaz’s upward
slides and her sustained pianissimo fade-out were miracles of color,
texture, and feeling.” Others have remarked on her “indefatigably
expressive” playing, “polished technique,” and “vivid and elegant
playing.” Gabriela can be heard on New World, Centaur, BMOPSound, Mode,
Naxos, and Tzadik records. Her recording of Lou Harrison’s Suite for
Violin and American Gamelan was highlighted in the New York Times
Article, “5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Classical Music.”
Gabriela is proud to be a core member of the team that created Boston
Hope Music, bringing music to patients and frontline workers during the
pandemic. Her last appearance at the Festival was in 2010. More info can
be found at gabrieladiazviolin.com.
[2023]