Sofia Castanho-Bollinger is a Brazilian-American violinist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music performance. Sofia began playing the violin at the age of three with Colleen Fitzgerald of the Barcel Suzuki String Academy. She has loved her instrument from the start. In 2016, she was one of the youngest winners of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Bach Double Competition, leading her to discover her passion for performance. Since then, she has placed in many notable competitions throughout Wisconsin such as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Stars of Tomorrow Competition and the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Bolz Young Artist Competition. 

In 2018, Sofia joined the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, and joined its flagship ensemble, the Senior Symphony, in the 2020-21 season. She served both as associate concertmaster and concertmaster of the orchestra until her graduation. In 2023, Sofia was awarded MYSO’s Dean Potokar Award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to excellence. She also received scholarships and recognition from the Wisconsin Federation of Music Clubs and the Wisconsin Philharmonic.

Sofia has performed in renowned concert halls around the world including the Queen Elisabeth Hall, the Musis Sacrum, the Royal Concertgebouw, the Chicago Symphony Center, and Bradley Symphony Center. Her passion for music and performance have led her to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio, where she is a rising sophomore under Professor Sibbi Bernhardsson.