DALE HIKAWA SILVERMAN was originally a violinist who came to Los Angeles for her master’s degree in violin performance, after graduating from Roosevelt University in her hometown, Chicago, with her bachelor’s degree in violin performance. This was in 1973, following the passing of her violin teacher, Morris Gomberg. She was a member of the St. Louis Symphony second-fiddle section for two years, and while that orchestra was on strike she was accepted to the second-fiddle section in the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Carlo Maria Giulini.

Despite being absolutely thrilled, she was overcome by an insatiable urge to play the viola...succumbing to that, there was no turning back. No matter where, she had to play the viola, even if it meant leaving Los Angeles. As luck would have it, the following season she won a position in the section, and the following year she became the associate principal. Later on, for a period just short of ten years, she sat as acting principal.

Other than the LA Phil, Dale does freelance film, television, and recording soundtracks; she is the violist in the Catgut Trio, a string chamber-music trio; and she is a member of the World Orchestra for Peace, an orchestra made up of international personnel representing approximately 30 countries, conceived and directed by Sir Georg Solti. Upon his death, the podium was inherited by Valery Gergiev. Dale was one of the original members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, and occasionally performs on the LA Phil’s chamber music series. Dale is blessed to be a wife and mother.