Evdokia (Dunia) Ershova is a distinguished violist whose career bridges orchestral leadership, chamber music, and pedagogy, connecting audiences and students across Europe.

Her musical journey began in St. Petersburg at the age of seven and continued in London, where she earned her bachelor’s degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on a full scholarship from the Corporation of London. During this time, she collaborated with leading UK orchestras and took part in the London Symphony Orchestra’s String Experience Scheme in 1999. After graduating, she continued her artistic development under the mentorship of Paul Silverthorne and fellow violist Andriy Viytovych.

In 2024, Dunia was appointed Section Principal Viola of the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff and began a new collaboration with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Since 2025, she has also been a regular guest principal with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. That same year, her performance at the BBC Proms drew praise from The Times, who described her “exquisite viola solos” as a highlight of the program.

From 2018, she held the position of Principal Viola of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra in Denmark while also serving on the faculty of the Danish Conservatory of Music in Aarhus. Before that, she was Principal Viola of the Málaga Philharmonic for nearly two decades (1999–2018), a chapter that left a lasting legacy in the region’s musical life. During her time in Málaga, Dunia founded the Andalusian Viola Society and the Málaga Viola Ensemble, initiatives that brought together students and teachers to elevate the viola’s presence and nurture the next generation of players. She was also a member of the teaching faculty at Madrid’s renowned Reina Sofía School of Music from 2010 to 2015.

Outside the concert hall, Dunia enjoys wine tastings, cooking, and gathering with close friends around the world.