Adam Smyla, Principal

Smyla Adam

San Francisco Symphony

 

Adam Smyla first received recognition at the age of 17, winning the first prize at the National Viola Competition in his native Poland. Within six months, he became the youngest member of the Polish National Radio and Television Orchestra and was invited to join the Penderecki String Quartet. As a member of the quartet, he toured throughout the world for nearly a decade with major performances in cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, and New York.

Mr. Smyla has participated in numerous music festivals, including the Rome Festival in Italy and the Midem-Classique Festival in France, and has made numerous recordings for radio and television broadcasts throughout the world.

Since 2000, Mr. Smyla has been a member of the San Francisco Symphony and held the position of Associate Principal Violist from 2006-2009. He is the viola coach of the San Francisco Youth Symphony Orchestra and a faculty member at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He appears frequently in chamber music concerts throughout the Bay Area, often in collaboration with his wife, pianist Edna Koren.