For violinist Rebecca Villalta, music has always been more than sound; it’s been a language that connects her past and future.
A native of San José, Costa Rica, Villalta began violin lessons at age 8, inspired by the classical and operatic recordings her parents loved to play around the house. “Ever since I was a kid, classical music and opera have been a big thing in my family,” she said. “Watching concert videos with my parents and being introduced to it at such a young age made me sure that I wanted to choose this path, even though no one in my family is a musician.”
Villalta earned her Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Renée Jolles and graduated in 2024. She has performed with the New World Symphony as a substitute violinist, taken part in the New York String Orchestra Seminar, and spent two summers as a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival, where she performed one of her favorite works, Mahler’s Symphony No. 3.
“To me, no composer achieves what Mahler does,” Villalta said. “He says everything that needs to be said through his music.”
Now pursuing her Master of Music degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Villalta studies with renowned violinist Kathleen Winkler. She says her time at Rice has expanded her artistry and deepened her connection to a community of musicians from around the world.
“I wanted a place where I could keep growing, both technically and musically,” she said. “At Rice, I’ve found an environment that challenges me and inspires me every day.”
Outside the concert hall, Villalta embraces her cultural roots and creative energy in other ways, from reading and traveling to taking ballet lessons. And while her career centers on classical performance, she never strays far from the rhythms of home. “An interesting fact about me is that I love Latin music; salsa, reggaeton, everything!” she said with a laugh.
As she continues her studies, Villalta says she’s focused on a future as an orchestral musician and leader, driven by both passion and pride in her heritage. “For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating where I come from and sharing my culture with others through music,” she said.