Biography

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Carolyn Farnand is thrilled to join the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Principal Viola for the 2026–2027 season. Carolyn previously served as Principal Viola of Symphony Nova Scotia from 2024 to 2026, where she had also won positions as Assistant Principal and Section Viola. She was a member of the New World Symphony from 2021 to 2023. 

A dedicated chamber musician, Carolyn has been featured on Cecilia Concerts’ Sensory-Accessible Concert Series, Hear! Here! Society of Yarmouth, the Amati Concert Series, and the Scotia Festival Chamber Players Series. She has toured New Brunswick with the Elm City String Quartet and appeared at the Bermuda Chamber Music Festival. 

Recognized by CBC Music in 2024 as one of “30 Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” Carolyn’s love of collaboration has led her to projects across a wide range of styles and genres. She has appeared on the Nu Deco Ensemble’s debut EP Duende (Sony Music Masterworks), toured New Zealand with Juilliard415, and performed at the Lucerne Festival for Contemporary Music and the Aspen Music Festival. 

A graduate of The Juilliard School and the University of Toronto, Carolyn completed her Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School as a Temerty Fellow. She is grateful for the inspiration from her teachers: Carol Rodland, Toby Appel, Steven Dann, Cynthia Roberts, and Eric Nowlin.

As a three-time recipient of the Women for Music Society’s Professional Development Award, Carolyn is grateful for the continued support in her artistic growth.