Edna Pierce is a native from the Cincinnati, Ohio area and she has recently graduated with a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she studied viola under the tutelage of Dr. Catharine Lees. While completing her studies, Edna has been an active musician for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Diversity Fellowship. Edna has been involved in programs such as the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) Audition Intensive, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Cincinnati Young Artist Chamber workshop, and the National Orchestral Institute and Festival (NOI+F).With her involvement in the Cincinnati Symphony, Edna has even commissioned a new work written by Rhiannon Giddens called Viola Fanfare, for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Fanfare Project. In addition to her love for the orchestra and playing viola, Edna has sought out opportunities to expand her endeavors by completing a minor in Spanish language, narrating an audiobook, and most importantly, spending meaningful time with friends and family.