PROGRAMS

This Convivium will be centered on the question, "Why Work?" The value of human vocational labor is debated within contemporary industrialized society. Such debates are made increasingly complex by shifting technological, economic, and educational landscapes, along with the philosophical and theological assumptions underlying these shifts. We will think together about these larger issues as they relate to personal experiences of work. There will be a selection of diverse and short readings to guide our discussion.

For discussion purposes, we will be capping the event at the first 20 registrants. Register here: https://forms.gle/cf5chqQqLayndKRB8

Lauren Burns Hodges, "a distinguished violist with a refined, mellow tone" (American Record Guide), is currently Associate Professor of Viola at the University of Florida where she also coordinates and teaches Music Appreciation classes. For six years prior, she was Lecturer in Viola at Valdosta State University, Principal Viola of the Valdosta Symphony, violist of the Azalea String Quartet, and Director of the South Georgia String Project. She has performed and taught abroad in Italy, Austria, and France and recently presented recitals, masterclasses, and a body awareness workshop in Shanghai and WuHan, China.

Dr. Hodges will be accompanied by: 

Peijun (June) Xu, a violist from Shanghai, China, began her musical journey at age four. After graduating from Shanghai Normal University and working in tourism management, she pursued music in the U.S., earning a Master’s in Music Education and Graduate Artist Certificates in violin and viola performance at Azusa Pacific University. In 2025, she completed her Doctoral degree in Viola Performance & Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida, winning the Graduate Concerto Competition and serving as Principal Viola. Peijun has excelled in competitions, earning first prizes at Charleston and King’s Peak International Music Competitions. As co-founder of MAP-ICEC, she organized global music festivals and competitions.

Tania Moldovan, a violinist and native Romanian who started playing at the age of six. She is an active orchestral and chamber musician performing extensively in the south east. She performs regularly with the Charleston Symphony, Pensacola Symphony, Venice Symphony, and Orlando Philharmonic. She is co-founder of Chroma, a chamber music series based in Gainesville, which focuses on performing in unconventional spaces. Tania participated in numerous festivals such as the National Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Taneycomo Music Festival, Ionian Music Festival in Greece, and St. Augustine Music Festival. She performed internationally in Germany, France, Greece, China, and more recently in Japan. She holds a Masters in violin performance from Bowling Green State University and a DM from Florida State University.

Emily Austin Smith, a cellist based in Gainesville who is active as a performer and teacher. She joined the cello section of the Orlando Philharmonic in 2022 and has performed with orchestras throughout the Southeast, including the Ocala Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Gainesville Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, and North Carolina Symphony. Emily completed her bachelor’s degrees in Cello Performance and English and her master’s degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she studied with Alan Stepansky. She has also received Suzuki teacher training from renowned cello pedagogue Tanya Carey. S

Praying the psalms from Holy Scripture is a venerable tradition in Christianity. Each weekday at noon (except Wednesdays), we gather to pray meditatively through one psalm and listen to a few brief insights from Christian writers, ancient and contemporary. Join us for a 15-minute respite from the hustle and bustle as we pray through the psalter together.

What is it like to be a Christian faculty member? How does one integrate one's faith into their academic vocation? Come hear from faculty at the University of Florida who will describe how their faith is connected to their professional work. This semester we are happy to have Christopher Hampson, Associate Professor of Law at UF's Levin College of Law join us.