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Simon MacDonald, violin

Violinist Simon MacDonald began his musical studies in Victoria in 1980, left for school (NEC, in Boston) in 1992, and returned home in 2017, after numerous musical adventures in Boston, Montreal, New Orleans, Miami, and anywhere he was invited to play. He is currently in his third year as the Victoria Conservatory of Music String Faculty Department Head, and the Artistic Director of the Young Artists Collegium at the VCM. Before returning permanently to BC, Simon’s home base was the Canadian Prairies, where he was active with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (first violin), the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (principal 2nd violin), and the Regina Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster). Simon loves playing anything put in front of him; he has premiered numerous new works after 17 years at the Winnipeg New Music Festival, initiated the first ever Beethoven Quartet Cycle in the city of Regina with the Regina Symphony Chamber Players, and has enjoyed playing in everything from Baroque orchestras to touring Broadway Productions. Simon continues to be grateful to have joined the amazing community of musicians who live out here in BC.