Violinist and educator from Sarasota, Florida, Sommer Altier (she/her) serves as the first violinist for the Trillium String Quartet. Sommer joined Trillium in the Spring of 2024 and went on to receive a performance certificate with the group as the resident string quartet at Montclair State University in 2025. A passionate musician since childhood, Sommer studied at the Sarasota Music Conservatory with Sean O’Neil, and developed a strong inclination for collaborating with like-minded artists in intimate settings from an early age through their chamber music programs.
Sommer has worked with distinguished artists, participating in masterclasses and coachings with members from ensembles such as the Danish String Quartet, Time for Three, JACK Quartet, Calidore String Quartet, and Attacca Quartet. Committed to performing contemporary works, Sommer has collaborated with many emerging composers including Nicholas Batina, Alexander Rodin, Felix Jarrar, and Kebra-Seyoun Charles, and is passionate about presenting new and old classical music in accessible, engaging settings.
As an orchestral musician, Sommer held principal roles in her collegiate ensembles and has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space, and Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center. She also performed with ensembles across New York City, including Protestra, New England String Ensemble, Westside Chamber Players and the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra.
Sommer holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University and Mannes School of Music at The New School, where she studied with Corinne Stillwell and Rebecca Fischer, respectively.