The Zavala – Cho Duo is composed of violinist Ally Cho and violist/violinist Damon Zavala, both doctoral students at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music and members of
the resident quartet, VEM, through the Armenian Music Program. Together, they are committed to bringing chamber music to diverse communities across Los Angeles through the Gluck
Fellowship. Ally Cho, an Australian-born violinist, began her studies in New York City at the Manhattan School of Music with Lucie Robert, where she discovered a passion for chamber music that continues to guide her work today. Currently pursuing her DMA at UCLA, she has been awarded a fellowship in Armenian Music and performs as a member of the VEM Quartet under the
mentorship of Movses Pogossian and Varty Manouelian. Ally’s work reflects a deep commitment to chamber music and an eagerness to share meaningful repertoire with new audiences.
Damon Zavala began his musical journey in Oregon, where he was recognized with multiple state titles before moving to Nashville to study at Vanderbilt University. Now based in Los
Angeles, his career spans orchestral, chamber, and cross-genre collaborations, including performances with: the New West Symphony, American Youth Symphony, and artists such as
Young the Giant and NBC’s The Voice. Currently, Damon combines his work as a performer with his role as an educator and arts coordinator, overseeing youth orchestra programs in Santa
Monica and advocating for greater representation of underrepresented communities in classical music.