Robert Ashworth is principal viola of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, a position he has also held with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, as well as the post of assistant principal for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He is violist with the Jade String Quartet in Auckland and can be heard performing as soloist and chamber musician throughout the country. He is twice a recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts Award for Emerging Artists and has performed with various groups at international chamber music festivals in Europe, North America and Japan.