Viola Soloist Ayane Kozasa of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

October 26th 2014 (WPVI) -- The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia is now in its 50th season and the ensemble is celebrating with a concert that spotlights one of their own.

Ayane Kozasa is an international superstar who performs viola solo around the world but Philadelphia remains her home and the Chamber Orchestra her main gig. A 2012 graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Kozasa is now the principal violist of the Chamber Orchestra.

"She's so passionate when she plays on stage and her enthusiasm I would say is contagious. You really can't take your eyes off of her," says Janelle McCoy, Executive Director for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Still in her early 20s, Kozasa has already won numerous awards and worked with some of classical music's greatest violists, and Mccoy says, "Not only is she a very talented artist, she also has a way of playing that's engaging and exciting and energetic."

This will be Kozasa's first solo performance with the Chamber Orchestra and McCoy says she's performing one of the best-known works for viola.

"Stamitz Viola Concerto and there's not as much repertoire written for the viola so this is a real treat to have someone like Ayane who can play a viola concerto and do it in such an enthusiastic and passionate way."

The program also features pieces from Benjamin Britton and Joseph Haydn.

"There's always an element of surprise with our concerts," says McCoy, "and this being our 50th anniversary, we're definitely looking towards our past, seeing the repertoire that we've done and then looking toward the future."

The concert is set for November 9th and 10th at the Kimmel Center with a special performance at Lincoln University on the 11th. For tickets go to TheArtsinPhilly.org.