Elena Spanu started playing the violin at the age of three. She began her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She continued to develop her skills at Western University where she received a Bachelor of Musical Arts and at the University of Toronto where she received an artist diploma for Baroque violin performance under the direction of Jean Lamon.
Elena currently holds the chair of principal second violin with the North York Concert Orchestra and plays regularly with the Niagara Symphony. As a freelancer, she also plays with orchestras and chamber groups in and out of Toronto.
Elena has always enjoyed listening to the sounds and grooves of old time Appalachian music, finding it to be uplifting and energizing. Her latest projects include a musical duo with Old Time fiddler, Tony Alan and an alternative chamber folk quartet called The Wilderness Inside. Elena is also a budding composer and is working on releasing an EP of her music in late spring.
Elena enjoys sharing her creative energy through teaching. She is a Suzuki violin instructor and a Creative Ability Development coach. She directs the Toronto Suzuki Studio and is a faculty member at the North York Suzuki School of Music
