A native of Hong Kong, Jarita Ng started playing the violin at the age of 5 under the tutelage of her mother; and started playing the viola three months before the audition for university. She holds a Master of Music degree from Rice University in Houston, Texas under the tutelage of James Dunham; Bachelor of Music with Yizhak Schotten, and Bachelor of Science in biology with concentration in pre-veterinary medicine from University of Michigan, graduating with high distinction and honors respectively.

After she had spent enough summers taking classes for her science degree at university, she started attending summer music festivals in the US, and later in Europe every year. She joined the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in 2020 as associate principal. Prior to moving to Europe for the position, she held a position at the Houston Symphony.

Jarita’s enthusiasm in new music has led her to collaborate with renowned living composers, including John Adams, Bernard Rands, Gunther Schuller, Paul Schoenfield, among others. She also has been an advocate for new music – she has commissioned, performed, and recorded solo and chamber music pieces. One of the compositions and recordings, “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” for solo viola by Matthew Browne, was awarded first prize at the Gardner Composition Competition held by the American Viola Society (AVS). She was hence invited to present the piece at the Primrose Festival in Los Angeles.

Jarita plays on a modern American viola by Gabrielle Kundert (2000), and two bows given by her father with unknown origins.