Jaya Varma, D.M.A, enjoys an active freelance career performing with several orchestras and musical groups throughout the United States.
Currently based in Houston, TX, Jaya served as acting section violin for the Oregon Symphony during the 2024-2025 season. She performs regularly with Mercury Chamber Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera, and for special events throughout Texas with Divisi Strings. Jaya also plays seasonally with the Sarasota Opera and Oregon Bach Festival Orchestras. Past performances have taken her to elite concert venues including Carnegie Hall, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Miami’s Arsht Center. Jaya has performed with the Louisville Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Nashville Opera, New World Symphony, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, and Palm Beach Symphony. Additionally, Jaya has worked in the recording studios of Nashville and has played on several soundtracks for major video games, shows, and movies.
Along with her classical music pursuits, Jaya is committed to performing in diverse styles and genres. She has performed with world renowned artists including Bjork, Gloria Estefan, Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bolton, 2Cellos, Ben Folds, Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Mark O’Connor, and Terrence Blanchard.
Jaya is the creator and founder of ArtistEmpowered, a growing online community of musicians. ArtistEmpowered presents online education opportunities for musicians entering the professional scene. Part of the mission is to support participants with courses and explorations beyond simply playing. Each instrument lab is designed to cover topics such as nutrition, finance, movement, meditation, and entrepreneurship.
Jaya completed her Doctoral studies at the University of Miami and holds previous degrees from the University of Michigan and Duquesne University. In addition to performing Jaya serves as a teaching artist for the Houston Symphony and teaches privately. Jaya performs on a violin by Florian Leonhard, London, copy of Guaneri del Gesu’s “Ole Bull”.
When she isn’t playing the violin, Jaya enjoys being student and teacher of yoga.
