Velkassem Agguini is a violinist, violist, and actor, currently pursuing a BM in Violin Performance (Chamber Music Emphasis) at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. Agguini’s principal teachers have included Emlyn Ngai, Kirsty Green, and Janet Slavett, with masterclasses by Violaine Melançon, Kyung-Sun Lee, Bayla Keyes, Katie Lansdale, Gary Cappoziello, and Susanna Klein.
An avid chamber musician, Agguini is particularly passionate about the string quartet and piano trio repertoire, and participated in coachings and/or masterclasses with members of the Verona Quartet, Balourdet Quartet, Muir Quartet, Avalon Quartet, Adaskin Trio, and Lions Gate Trio.
Passionate about music both old and new, Agguini played principal viola in the premiere of two newly reconstructed works by Joseph Haydn in collaboration with musicologist Dr. Kenneth Nott. Agguini continues to perform with the Hartt School’s Collegium Musicum.
Agguini frequently performs modern music and new compositions and has worked with such composers as Stephen Coxe, Su Lian Tan, Gilda Lyons, and Kyle Grimm. Agguini makes frequent appearances with Hartt’s Foot in the Door ensemble, featuring contemporary works including those by student composers.
Agguini is also at home in the theatre, and continues to perform both on stage and in pits. Notable performances include the title role in Fiddler on the Roof at Virginia Stage Company (dir. Gary John La Rosa) and Nat Friedman in Indecent at Generic Theater (dir. Marianne Kelly).
Velkassem Agguini 