Who's Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Stella Bonilla

Stella Bonilla and her son, Andreas

A new school year will mean new faces at the Center for Young Musicians! We are excited to announce that new teachers for piano, cello and guitar will be joining the CYM family, bringing unique experiences and solid training in music education. And as always, we happily look forward to greeting new students and their families.

To help everyone get to know each other a little better, we’ll be posting short bios on all the CYM teachers and staff.  Stella Bonilla is beginning her second school year at CYM as a Violin Teacher.

Stella Bonilla, a native of Bulgaria, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the Bulgarian State Academy of Music, a Master of Music in Conducting and a Doctorate of Musical Arts, both from Louisiana State University. 

While living in Louisiana, she taught private violin lessons and performed with the Baton Rouge and Acadiana Symphonies. She also held the post of leading conductor of the Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Slidell Community Orchestra.

In 2001, Mrs. Bonilla and her family moved to Akron, Ohio, where she established a new violin studio and joined the Akron Symphony and Classic Touch Strings Orchestra.  She also taught at the Wayne Center for the Arts in Wooster.  In 2009, Mrs. Bonilla was appointed a strings teacher and orchestra director at the Spring Garden Waldorf School in Akron, Ohio. 

Mrs. Bonilla joined the faculty of CYM in October, 2011.  In addition to private violin instruction, she teaches Literacy and Classical group classes and Chamber Music.

 

Q & A with CYM:

CYM: What is your favorite piece of music to play and/or favorite composer?

Ms. Stella: I love playing and listening to the music of J. S. Bach.

CYM: Do you play other instruments other than the instrument you teach/study?

Ms. Stella: Piano

CYM: What is the most memorable music performance that you have seen/heard?

Ms. Stella: La Traviata with the Met Opera in New York.

CYM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Ms. Stella: I adore opera.

CYM: What has music given you?
Ms. Stella: Passion, joy, connection with the past.

CYM: What is your favorite treat to eat?
Ms. Stella:  Morena, a Bulgarian treat made of layers of thin waffles with hazelnuts in between.