Hello
Cellist Mary-Katherine Finch is a dynamic performer, comfortable with repertoire spanning a wide variety of musical genres. She has appeared with numerous ensembles, both large and small, in concerts, recordings and workshops. As a cellist and teacher Mary-Katherine brings skill, experience and positive energy to every project.
My Story
I'm a Torontonian through and through. When I was in my early teens I started playing the cello, inspired by my favourite tv show at the time, Fame. I was lucky enough to happen upon a fabulous teacher, William Findlay, who not only taught me the positions and how to hold the bow, but gave me the encouragement I needed to really give music a go. He helped me join my first youth orchestra, Mooredale, and then the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. If not for him, I definitely would not have become a professional musician. Thank you Bill!!
I stuck close to home for my university training. I received both Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Performance from the University of Toronto where my principal teachers were Daniel Domb and Shauna Rolston. I also had the pleasure of attending several summers of intensive masterclasses at the Banff Centre for Fine Arts, studying with Aldot Parisot, Lawrence Lesser, and Paul Katz.
I have had the pleasure to appear frequently with the Orchestra of the National Ballet of Canada, Esprit Orchestra, and Hamilton Philharmonic. I am principal cellist of the Mississauga Symphony and have served as guest principal cellist with Hamilton Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, and Niagara Symphony. I love chamber music (who doesn't?) and I regularly perform on various chamber music concert series in Ontario. I am a member of Contact and the Elmwood Trio. Summer festivals include Music in the Garden (Harbourfront), Luminato, Elora, Toronto Summer Music, Festival of the Sound, and Ottawa Chamber Festival.
Teaching cello is a passion of mine that has proved to be tremendously rewarding. I maintain a busy private studio and am cello instructor at the University of Toronto, Claude Watson School for the Arts, and Upper Beaches Music School.
My Ensembles
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