Catherine Gray, Viola
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, violist Catherine Gray is a JUNO-nominated ensemble and orchestral musician. Catherine has been a member of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra in Toronto since 2016. In addition, she regularly performs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Chamber Orchestra and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra. With the Canadian Opera Company, Catherine performed the offstage viola solos in Puccini’s beloved classics Tosca and Madame Butterfly. She has been described as “glorious ... an immense talent ... a performer of superb musicianship and high quality" (Ludwig Van, Toronto, 2020).
As an ensemble player, Catherine was nominated for a JUNO Award in 2024 (in the Jazz Album of the Year, Group category with Allison Au and the Migrations Ensemble) and has shared the stage with Ed Sheeran, The Who, Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies, Evanescence and Ramin Djawadi (composer for Game of Thrones), and has performed with the Art of Time Ensemble, the Migrations Ensemble and the Afiara Quartet. She has participated in festivals such as the Edinburgh International Festival, the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Montreal’s TD Jazz Fest, Toronto Summer Music Festival, soundSCAPE Festival, Morningside Music Bridge, Le Domaine Forget, St. Lawrence String Quartet Seminar, The Banff Center for the Arts and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.
Catherine completed her master’s degree at McGill University under the tutelage of Steven Dann. She received her Bachelor of Music from the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School and previously studied with Nick Pulos and Joanne Melvin in Calgary, Alberta.
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The facts:
I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
What are you most excited for as you begin your tenure with the Naples Philharmonic?
I’m so excited to dive into this season’s repertoire with my fantastic colleagues, and it’s a huge privilege to make music on the warm and sunny Gulf Coast.
What is one fun fact about you?
I have two orange kitties named Ronnie and Reggie.
What inspired you to become a musician?
My older brother played violin and would have friends from youth orchestra over to our house to play chamber music and the Bach Double. I wanted to be part of it so badly, so I begged my mom to sign me up for violin lessons!
What’s challenging about playing your instrument?
The viola is physically larger and heavier and is a bit more of a stretch on the left arm. This requires extra strength—lifting weights at the gym is imperative for my arms and back to stay healthy while playing the viola.
What are your favorite compositions?
Anything Mozart, Mahler and the Bach Chaconne (but anything Bach, really!).
What have you been listening to recently?
I have been obsessed with trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf for years. His blend of classically trained technique with jazz, hip-hop and Arabian tonalities are incredibly impressive and make me want to leap up and dance!
Are there other musicians in your immediate family?
My mom and brother both play violin as hobbyists! My older brother was the inspiration for me to start, and my mom and I started together. She still plays and it is one of her main hobbies in retirement.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love gardening! In Canada, we can only enjoy our vegetable garden for a few short months of the year. I'm so excited to grow fruit and veggies all winter long here in Naples.