Rita Andrade, a native of Austin, Texas, is currently living as an active orchestral and studio violist in Los Angeles. Raised in a family that values their Latin heritage and music, she was always a musically curious child and immediately drawn to the viola upon first hearing it. Pursuing an arts education at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, Rita continued studying viola performance for her bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Texas Butler School of Music and finished her masters at DePaul University. 

In the years following her masters degree, Rita was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, with an assistant principal position for the 2014 - 2015 season. Rita was also a fellowship member of the Chicago Sinfonietta and Grant Park Symphony Project Inclusion programs geared toward promoting diversity in the world of classical music. Some of her most memorable and influential musical experiences were at summer festivals such as the String Academy in Cambridge UK, Encore Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin Music Festival, Marrowstone Music Festival, and Interlochen Arts Academy. 

As the original violist of the Austin-based chamber rock band Mother Falcon, and with experience playing with various bands, Rita loves performing many styles of music. Outside of teaching and performing, you can find Rita on her yoga mat, strolling through farmer’s markets or wandering around with her camera to practice her hobby and love for street photography.