Renowned for her “transforming intensity and beauty of tone” (New York Times), Australian violinist and artistic director of the Megalong Music Festival Asmira Woodward-Page is internationally recognised as a unique and distinguished artist who has performed extensively as soloist, chamber musician, ensemble leader and is the recipient of many accolades and awards – most notably the Concert Artists Guild competition in New York. As solo recitalist she has been presented at Carnegie Hall, Bargemusic (NYC), the Dame Myra Hess series (Chicago), the Washington Performing Arts Society, the Sydney Opera House, the Ravinia and Aspen Music Festivals in the US, and Festival Cervantino in Mexico, among others.

Based in New York City for 20 years, Asmira established a reputation as a multi-faceted artist comfortable in the solo, chamber music, teaching and contemporary music spheres. She earned critical acclaim as a member of several chamber groups, including the Momenta Quartet, Trio Vela, Walden Chamber Players, String Orchestra of New York City (concertmaster and founding member) and the performer/composer collective, Counter)induction: “What kept the program fascinating was the vitality the players brought to the music”. “These performances were not merely dutiful; they sang and danced” (New York Times). She has performed, toured and recorded with many distinguished artists and ensembles, including East Coast Chamber Orchestra (guest concertmaster), Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Miriam Fried, Fred Sherry, Inon Barnatan, Rostislav Dubinsky, and Herbie Hancock. Australian guest collaborations include with Kathy Selby and Friends at City Recital Hall (Sydney), the Omega Ensemble, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (guest concertmaster), members of the Australian World Orchestra, and in solo recitals with Tamara Anna Cislowska and Scott Davie. Asmira’s Australian Album, a CD of pre-war Australian violin and piano repertoire recorded with pianist Scott Davie, has received acclaim and was rereleased on ABC Classics. Live TV and radio broadcasts include ABC Classic FM and Fine Music FM; documentary appearances include The Little Box that Sings and Breathing Together.

Asmira began her violin studies with Jan Cooper, then Harry Curby, at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, then Miriam Fried and other mentors at Indiana University where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree and Artist Diploma, followed by Robert Mann and others at Juilliard where she earned a Master of Music. Passionate about sharing her love of music, Asmira is now a dedicated educator and advocate for classical music, with extensive experience teaching violin, chamber music, masterclasses, outreach programs, at festivals, Dalcroze-style classes for preschoolers, and in residencies at institutions like Columbia, Cornell, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania and Monash. She has performed in hospitals, homeless shelters, aged care facilities and for charities. After returning to Australia, Asmira created the Megalong Music Festival, a high level chamber music mentoring festival in the Megalong Valley where she has resettled with her family. She enjoys meditation, gardening and crafting.