Amaro Dubois

Praised for his “utmost commitment, and sensitivity to the composers’ diverse voices” by Fanfare Magazine, Brazilian violist Amaro Dubois has become known for his work in expanding and popularizing lesser-known repertoire for the viola through collaborative projects in Brazil and North America. Recently, Dubois has collaborated with orchestras such as the Paducah and Pensacola Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Iris Orchestra in Germantown-Memphis TN, where he was awarded their Fellowship position under the guidance of music director and conductor Michael Stern for the 2019-2021 seasons. 

With his Dubois Yao Duo partner pianist Tingting Yao, they create programs highlighting the art and music of underrepresented composers of African American and Latin American descent, as well as female composers. Dubois is passionate for sharing the love for the viola sound as well as for the gorgeous lyrical repertoire not often played; “what an enormous gift for lyricism” (Brian Nabors, Composer). 

“My mission is to share my gift and give voice to those compositions not yet well represented on the viola repertoire,” says Dubois. In their recent album, Adoration – Music of The Americas, the Dubois-Yao duo has been highlighted as passionate and delicate as the music demands (Textura Magazine), and their collaboration is praised for its poetically focused performance (Gapplegate). 

Dubois has a rich, wide range of teaching experience in viola instruction, violin instruction, and chamber coaching. He frequently teaches privately and runs masterclasses for the Shelby County Schools in Memphis TN, and is a faculty member at the Memphis Music Initiative, an organization with a mission to invest in youth through transformative music engagement, creating equitable opportunities for black and brown youth in Memphis.

Recently, Dubois won first prize at the University of Georgia (UGA) ArtsLab competition and was offered the Presidential Award Fellowship for the seasons of 2022-2026 where he will be working on two brand new recording projects. He previously earned his Master of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Alabama with Dr. Jacob Adams, and his Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance with a specialty in Chamber Music from the Brazilian Conservatory of Music in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. 

Dubois has recently won several competitions in Europe such as World Classical Music Awards Gold Prize Winner, 1st place in Modern Music category, Chamber Music choice & professional age 26+, 2nd place at Kings Peak International Music Competition in 2021, Finalist 4th place in the professional Viola category at London Classical Music Competition in London UK.

Dubois currently performs on an incredible viola that was made in 1970 by the renowned luthier Otto Erdesz, a Hungarian maker who trained in Israel, then later emigrated to Toronto in 1975.