Olga Tuzhilkov came to the United States as the original violist for the Veronika String Quartet, which was formed in 1989 while studying at the Gnesiss Russian Academy of Music in Moscow. The Veronika String Quartet has been awarded top prizes in International Competitions in Russia, Australia, and in the United States and has collaborated in performances with the Fine Arts Quartet, Martin Lovett (formerly of the Amadeus Quartet), pianists James Tocco and Ruth Laredo and clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. Having performed in France, Germany, Holland, Spain, England, Switzerland, Israel and toured extensively in Russia and the United States. Tuzhilkov is active in Milwaukee and Chicago areas as freelance musician and is the former adjunct instructor of viola at the University of Southern Colorado and Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee.