Kayla Williams is a dynamic violist celebrated for her warm tone, versatile collaborations across genres, and vibrant stage presence. Originally from Florida, she began playing violin at the age of four before discovering her true passion—the viola—at ten. In 2018, she made her concerto debut performing Bartók’s Viola Concerto as the winner of the Lynn Concerto Competition.

As a recitalist, Kayla has performed across the country in concert series such as the Lyric Chamber Music Society, GatherNYC at the MAD Museum, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, St. Lawrence University, the Island Concert Association February Festival (St. Simons Island, GA), Trinity Concert Series, Warner Robins Community Concert Association, Lakeside Society for the Performing Arts, the Oxford College of Emory University, the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Guest Artist Series, and Rejoicing in Mayesville, SC.

As a resident of New York City, she has performed on Saturday Night Live, The Late Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show, and Good Morning America, as well as at high-profile events including the TIME 100 Summit and the 2023 Heisman Trophy Ceremony. A frequent presence on Broadway, Kayla served as a violin chair holder for Gypsy on Broadway and has performed as a substitute violist on productions including Bad Cinderella, Once Upon a Mattress, The Wiz, and Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular. She currently serves as a substitute violist for Chess and Ragtime.

She has been featured at a wide range of festivals, including the Grand Teton Music Festival, the 2024 Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Festival, the Florida Folk Festival, the Roots Picnic, and the 2022 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. Kayla’s collaborative work spans both live and recorded performances with artists such as Grammy Award-winner Jon Batiste, Cynthia Erivo, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Sigur Rós, Busta Rhymes at Carnegie Hall, Raye, Björk, The Jonas Brothers, Hayley Williams, Ben Platt, Halsey, the Late Show Band, Black Coffee at Madison Square Garden, and Kermit the Frog.

Kayla earned her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from the Lynn Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, Florida, and her Master of Music from The Juilliard School in New York City. She was a recipient of the Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship from 2021 to 2023.