Ioana Galu

Dr. Ioana Galu, a native of Romania, has enjoyed a rich career as a performer, researcher and pedagogue in both Europe and the United States. Former Assistant Professor of Violin and chamber music at Gheorghe Dima Music Academy in Cluj, Romania, Galu has also been on the faculty at Heidelberg University, Bowling Green State University, and The College of Wooster. Galu joined the University of South Dakota in 2016 and has served as Associate Professor of Violin/Viola, co-director of the USD Chamber Orchestra and member of the Rawlins Piano Trio until 2025. In 2025, Dr. Galu joined the music faculty at Augustana University and is also serving as the Acting Principal Viola of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra for the 2025-2026 season.

A graduate of Gheorghe Dima Music Academy, Romania, Galu earned a second master’s degree in violin performance from Bowling Green State University, an Artist Diploma from University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music and a doctorate in Contemporary Music from Bowling Green State University. She has been awarded prizes in several national and international competitions, including Second Prize in the Mozart International Competition for Piano Trios (Romania), and First Prize and Special Prize of the SOROS Foundation at the George Enescu Violin National Competition (Romania).

Dr. Galu’s most recent solo performances include Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Violin and Percussion Ensemble, Malcolm Arnold’s Concerto for Two Violins and String Orchestra, and Brahms Double Concerto.

Between 2006 and 2009 she served as the concertmaster of Central Ohio Symphony in Delaware, and between 2012 and 2016 she served as the concertmaster of the Southern Great Lakes Symphony Orchestra.

Galu presented the world premiere of Marilyn Shrude’s violin concerto Libro D’Ore with the Central Ohio Symphony and the European premiere with the Sibiu State Philharmonic in Romania. She gave its US premiere and subsequently recorded the concerto for Albany Records. Galu also recorded “Music Under Political Unrest” - Works for Two Violins by Grażyna Bacewicz, Henryk Górecki, and Michał Spisak with Iuliana Cotirlea, violin.