Board Advisory & Interns

AVS Internship Program (AVSIP)
The AVS Internship Program (formerly the AVS Youth Advisory Council) offers students the opportunity to work closely with AVS board mentors on various proposed projects that align with their interests and skill development goals. This internship provides a structured experience with mentorship, independent work, and concrete deliverables over a defined period of time.

Students interested in becoming an AVS Intern, please learn more here.

Please direct questions to avsip@americanviolasociety.org.

Leslie Ashworth

Canadian violinist and violist Leslie Ashworth is praised for her versatility and imaginative artistry as a performer, educator, and composer. She was a live competitor in the 2025 Tokyo International Viola Competition and a quarter finalist in the 2024 Primrose International Viola Competition. Named one of CBC’s 2021 “Hot 30 Under 30” Classical Musicians, she is also a prize winner of the 2022 Stepping Stone International Competition.

Leslie has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall and Koerner Hall, and at festivals such as the Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop, Thy Chamber Music Festival, European American Musical Alliance (Paris), Music Academy of the West, and the Lunenburg Academy with Barbara Hannigan.

Currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts with Misha Amory at The Juilliard School, Leslie is on faculty in Juilliard’s College, Pre-College, and Extension Divisions, where she teaches Ear Training and Fundamentals of Violin. She performs on an 1854 Joseph Rocca viola on loan from Juilliard.

Website: leslieashworth.com

Shanya Chynwat

Shanya Chynwat is a violist currently based in Denton, TX. An accomplished chamber and orchestral musician, Shanya is the recipient of the University of North Texas’s Competitive Undergraduate String Quartet Scholarship, co-principal violist of the UNT Symphony Orchestra, section violist for Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, and substitute violist for Richardson Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys teaching others about classical music through outreach presentations to local nursing homes and to the students at local public schools. In the future, she hopes to land a career playing in a professional symphony orchestra.

Currently, Shanya is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance and a minor in music business at the University of North Texas where she studies with Dr. Susan Dubois. This summer, she is looking forward to being a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Katelynn Lesinski

Katelynn Lesinski is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Music Business at Illinois State University, where she studies viola with Dr. Katherine Lewis. She currently interns with the Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony and the Illinois State University String Project, where she enjoys working closely with students in an ensemble while gaining experience in program operations. An active member of the ISU School of Music, Katelynn has served as a social media intern, student ambassador, and co-founder of the ISU Viola Chamber Society.

Katelynn was drawn to the AVS through the Underrepresented Composers Database and is so thankful for the chance to spotlight an underrepresented composer on AVS social media during her internship. She has had such a rewarding experience working with the incredible AVS social media team, and is looking forward to future projects!

Madi Riley Price

Madi Riley Price is a violist currently pursuing a Master of Music in Viola Performance at the University of North Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from Brigham Young University and has performed in orchestral and chamber settings across the United States and internationally, including in South America, Asia, and Europe. In addition to her performance work, she has extensive teaching experience, including public school classroom teaching, music festival coaching, and private instruction for dozens of students ranging from beginners to college-level violists. She is passionate about performance, education, outreach, and fostering meaningful connection through music. She is grateful to be part of the American Viola Society and the broader viola community.

Instagram: @madiprice24

Noah Stevens

Noah Stevens is a violist, composer, conductor, and educator based in NYC. Recent performance highlights include playing alongside members of the New York Philharmonic in a concert with Lang Lang, the world premier of Joshua Fadenholz’s record breaking viola sonata, and multiple multi-media collaborations, such as with the indie rock band nüvă, and with dancer/choreographer Alyssia Farias.

Noah graduated from Montclair State University summa cum laude, studying viola performance with Kathryn Lockwood, and conducting with Kyle Ritenauer. This summer, he is excited to attend his first AVS Festival, as well as the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors.

Website: noahstevensetc.com

Socials: @noahstevensetc