SCA CVS

Join us October 21st at 3PM EST Online!

Janine Baller (1967) began her musical education with piano and violin. At the age of 10 she started playing (violin) in a youth orchestra and changed to the viola at the age of 14. In 1985 she started her studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Ferdinand Erblich (Orlando Quartet) and Orchestral repertoire with Ron Ephrat (Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra).
After a view years as a substitute in all the major Dutch orchestras, she joined the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra as a tutti violist in 1996.
During her studies she played extensively in chamber music ensembles and later served as a leading violist in Domestica Rotterdam for 10 years. In the Rotterdam Philharmonic she worked under chief conductors Valery Gergiev, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Lahav Shani. Among her most beloved conductors are Simon Rattle, Bernard Haitink, Tarmo Peltokoski, Jukka-Pekke Saraste, and many others.
In addition to her orchestral work, Janine regularly coaches viola players in preparation for auditions, scholarships and during their studies.

Janine Baller (1967) began her musical education with piano and violin. At the age of 10 she started playing (violin) in a youth orchestra and changed to the viola at the age of 14. In 1985 she started her studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Ferdinand Erblich (Orlando Quartet) and Orchestral repertoire with Ron Ephrat (Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra).
After a view years as a substitute in all the major Dutch orchestras, she joined the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra as a tutti violist in 1996.
During her studies she played extensively in chamber music ensembles and later served as a leading violist in Domestica Rotterdam for 10 years. In the Rotterdam Philharmonic she worked under chief conductors Valery Gergiev, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Lahav Shani. Among her most beloved conductors are Simon Rattle, Bernard Haitink, Tarmo Peltokoski, Jukka-Pekke Saraste, and many others.
In addition to her orchestral work, Janine regularly coaches viola players in preparation for auditions, scholarships and during their studies.

🎻 Mock Audition for Violists 🎻

📅 Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
📍 Where: Zoom (link will be provided)

Get ready for upcoming auditions like Calgary, Winnipeg, and Nova Scotia with a Mock Audition featuring a jury of renowned violists who will provide valuable feedback on your performance!

👉 Note: You must be a Canadian Viola Society member to participate. If you’re not a member yet, student memberships are only $15!

💡 This is a great opportunity to practice in a professional setting, receive expert advice, and connect with the viola community.

✨ Don’t miss out! Send us a message to register or to learn more.

🎶✨ Calling all musicians! 🎻🌟
Join the Canadian Viola Society in spreading holiday cheer! Submit your holiday-themed music video by December 14th for a chance to be featured in our Holiday Celebration Video Premiere on December 21st.

📩 Send your submissions to [email protected] via WeTransfer.

Let’s celebrate the season together through music! 🎄❄️

María Fernanda Rubiano Pulido is a versatile violist with a rich background in pedagogy and performance. She has extensive experience teaching violin and viola and has participated in renowned orchestral and chamber music festivals across North America, Latin America, and Europe. Her artistry shines through her active engagement in orchestras, festivals, and educational initiatives.

María Fernanda has been featured in prestigious projects such as the Bregenz Festspiele (Austria), Accademia Vicino (Italy), the 49th Viola Congress (Brazil), and the Festival de Portillo (Chile). She has also performed at the Festival del Lago (Mexico), Interviolas (Colombia), and the International Musique Festival (Ecuador). Her chamber music appearances include performances at Festi Q-artetos and A Tempo Bogotá Festival in Colombia.

She has collaborated with renowned ensembles, including the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Filarmónica Joven de Colombia, and the Orchestre Symphonique de Sherbrooke. Her performances have taken her to prestigious venues such as the Elbphilharmonie, Concertgebouw, Wiener Konzerthaus, Kölner Philharmonie, la Maison Symphonique de Montréal, and Koerner Hall in Toronto.

As a former member of the award-winning Nogal String Quartet, María Fernanda performed extensively across Colombia, appearing in concert series and television programs. Currently pursuing a doctorate in viola performance at the Université de Montréal, she also holds a D.E.P.A., a Master’s in Music, and a Bachelor’s degree from Universidad Central in Bogotá. Her mentors include Cynthia Blanchon, Juan-Miguel Hernández, and Raúl García, and she has participated in masterclasses with esteemed violists like Kim Kashkashian, Roger Tapping, Richard O’Neill, and Stephen Wyrczynski.