Amy Cimini is a violist and historical musicologist based in New York City and Philadelphia. Her research and performance practice are both inspired by an abiding historical, philosophical and political interest in the relationship of music and bodies.  Moving fluidly between free improvisation, contemporary classical, Middle Eastern and rock idioms, Cimini strives toward improvisatory expression that animates vibrant networks between and among organic and inorganic materialities, such as architectural and acoustic space, embodied history, sociality and instrumental technique. Bringing this perspective to a wide range of musical settings, she’s a founding member of Brooklyn psych-prog quintet Starring, whose second album “ABCDEFG…” appeared on the Northern Spy imprint in Summer 2012 as well as orchestra pop foursome the Fancy. Amy’s solo recording (Quiet Design, 2008) of Alex Ness’ Shruti, for viola, has been called “daring, sensitive and confident” by Sequenza 21. She has also collaborated, recorded and performed with !!!, Christy & Emily, Pterodactyl, Blarvuster, Skeleton$ Big Band, The Ladybug Transistor and Imaginary Folk.