Biography
Originally from upstate New York, Lyssa is currently establishing herself in Toronto as a sought-after orchestral and chamber musician. Lyssa has played with the Hamilton Philharmonic since 2016, and in September 2018 was appointed a core member of the HPO first violin section. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, she played regularly with the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Opera Company, National Ballet of Canada, and Esprit Orchestra, and is very eager to start performing with these groups again when it is safe to do so.
Lyssa graduated from The Glenn Gould School in 2015 with both Performance and Artist Diplomas, after six years of study with esteemed violinist Marie Bérard. During the course of her studies, Lyssa participated in the Banff Summer Music Festival, as well as the St. Lawrence String Quartet Seminar at Stanford University. Not long after graduation, she served as Assistant Concertmaster of the Kingston Symphony for the 2016-2017 Season. From 2015-2019, she was Principal Second Violin with the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lyssa is a member of the faculties of Dixon Hall Music School, The Kingsway Conservatory of Music, and Toronto Music Alliance. At these schools as well as in her private studio, she strives to share her passion for music with students from all walks of life.
An avid baker recently considered for The Great Canadian Baking Show, Lyssa has taken advantage of pandemic-related social distancing and isolation to further perfect her baking skills.