Hometown: Ottawa

Recognized by CBC Music as one of 2024’s “30 Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” Carolyn Farnand is Principal Viola of Symphony Nova Scotia. Recent highlights include performances on the Amati Concert Series, Music Room Chamber Players Series, Bermuda Chamber Music Festival, and a five-concert tour in New Brunswick with the Elm City String Quartet.

Carolyn’s love of musical collaboration has led her to projects across a wide range of styles. She recently appeared on Nu Deco Ensemble’s major-label debut EP, Duende, released by Sony Music Masterworks. She has toured New Zealand with Juilliard415, and also performed at the Lucerne Festival for Contemporary Music and Aspen Music Festival.

A graduate of the Juilliard School, New World Symphony, and the University of Toronto, Carolyn was a Temerty Fellow while completing her Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School. She is grateful for the inspiration of her teachers: Carol Rodland, Toby Appel, Steven Dann, Cynthia Roberts, and Eric Nowlin.

As a recipient of the 2024 and 2025 Women for Music Professional Development Award, Carolyn is grateful for the continued support in her artistic growth.