Originally from Detroit, violist Alice Risov began her musical education on the piano and violin, but fell in love with the beautiful sound of the viola during her high school years. In the past she has served as a section violist in the Flint Symphony Orchestra and as assistant and acting principal viola of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra. She first joined the Columbus Symphony viola section in 2021 at the age of 22, and became Assistant Principal Viola in 2024.

Risov has been a part of multiple festivals and programs including the Montecito International Music Festival, the New York String Orchestra Seminar, and the National Orchestral Institute + Festival under the baton of renowned conductor Marin Alsop. She has also performed on multiple prestigious stages including Orchestra Hall in Detroit and Carnegie Hall.

Risov graduated in 2020 with both a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience and a Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the University of Michigan. Despite heavily considering going into research, she eventually decided to continue pursuing her musical talents as a career. She completed one year of her master’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music before winning her position with the Columbus Symphony. Her primary teachers were Yitzhak Schotten and Lynne Ramsey.