Amali Premawardhana

Cellist Amali Premawardhana joined the Elmhurst University music department as an Adjunct Professor of Cello in 2023. She performs in and around the Chicago area as an orchestral and chamber music player, and enjoys guest teaching at local organizations including the Merit School of Music where she was once a student herself, and the Chicago West Community Music Center. Amali directs orchestra in Naperville Community Unit School District 203 where she enjoys nurturing young string students through her Suzuki oriented teaching approach.
Amali began her undergraduate cello performance studies at Indiana University and completed them at the Manhattan School of Music. Primary teachers include Elizabeth Anderson and Richard Hirschl in Chicago, followed by Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and Julia Lichten. She earned her master’s in music education at the University of Bridgeport and did her long-term Suzuki training at New York School for Strings.
Amali began her professional performing career in New York City and continues to perform there with the Distinguished Concerts International of New York Orchestra. With violinist and longtime musical partner, Trina Basu, she co-leads the chamber ensemble, Karavika, an improvising group which infuses Indian classical music with western chamber and Americana music. Karavika has been hailed by the New York Times as “a soulful blend of classical and folk traditions” and has been described in All About Jazz as “a dynamic sonic blend of uncommon mesmeric beauty.”
Notable performances include New York’s SummerStage, Classical Revolution in San Francisco, Black Rock Coalition Orchestra in France, as well as Brooklyn Raga Massive, Kennedy Center, Asia Society, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Blue Note. Other highlights include collaborations with vocalist and composer Imani Uzuri, Kathak dancer, Parul Shah, women’s choir, Le Cantanti di Chicago, and Classical Indian string and percussion group, Akshara Ensemble.
Amali and her husband, bassist Perry Wortman enjoy spending time with wonderful children, Nayomi, Sylas, and Ayla, and their lovable pup, Chloe.