Skip to main content

Second Violin

James Zabawa-Martinez

A native of Austin, Texas, violinist James Zabawa-Martinez has performed concerts and recitals throughout the US and Europe. Before joining Kansas City Symphony in 2023, James was a violin fellow at the New World Symphony for two years, where he performed frequently as concertmaster under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. James has performed with orchestras such as The Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Buffalo Philharmonic.


James’ primary teachers include Sally O’Reilly, Brian Lewis, and Zoya Leybin. James began his violin studies with Sally O’Reilly in high school, and continued his doctoral studies with O’Reilly at the University of Minnesota. During this time, he had the privilege of recording Eugène Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, op. 27. James also obtained a degree from the University of Texas-Austin.


A native of Austin, Texas, violinist James Zabawa-Martinez has performed concerts and recitals throughout the US and Europe. Before joining Kansas City Symphony in 2023, James was a violin fellow at the New World Symphony for two years, where he performed frequently as concertmaster under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. James has performed with orchestras such as The Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Buffalo Philharmonic.


James’ primary teachers include Sally O’Reilly, Brian Lewis, and Zoya Leybin. James began his violin studies with Sally O’Reilly in high school, and continued his doctoral studies with O’Reilly at the University of Minnesota. During this time, he had the privilege of recording Eugène Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, op. 27. James also obtained a degree from the University of Texas-Austin.