Carissa Klopoushak

Carissa Klopoushak has made a name for herself as a curious, creative, and versatile violinist. A charismatic and engaging performer, Carissa’s playing has been described as the complete package of sensitive musicianship and effortless technique. Carissa proudly joined Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in September 2014, after having performed with the group for a number of years. Her debut recording with Philip Chiu, Soundworlds, was released in November 2016.

Carissa considers all of Canada to be her home. She has toured the country extensively, performing recitals for Debut Atlantic and as winner of the 2009 Eckhardt-Grammatté National Competition. She has been featured at Ottawa Chamberfest, Montreal Chamber Music Festival, and Toronto Summer Music. Carissa is a passionate collaborator, performing with many chamber groups including the newly-formed Ironwood Quartet. She spent much of early 2014 performing with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, whom she joined for a series of tours and recordings.

Carissa grew up in the beautiful prairie city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Still active in the prairie music scene today, Carissa is an Artistic Director of the Ritornello Chamber Music Festival, an annual event that aims to provide Saskatchewan audiences the opportunity to hear innovative concerts performed by young, engaging Canadian musicians who are currently pursuing professional careers across the country and around the globe.

Carissa is the lead singer and violinist in the Ukrainian band ТутіТам (pronounced Toot-ee-Tahm). Established in 2003, the band has released four albums, performed at every major Ukrainian festival across Canada, in Sydney, Australia, and recently toured Ukraine, playing major festivals and small pubs.

Carissa holds a doctorate in violin performance from McGill University. Her dissertation focuses on the little-known violin repertoire by Ukrainian composers. A laureate of the 2012 Canada Council of the Arts Musical Instrument Bank Competition, Carissa performed on the 1869 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin (with Vuillaume model bow); she now plays on a 2009 violin by Mark Schnurr of Flesherton, Ontario. When not performing, rehearsing, or travelling, Carissa can be found expanding her love of coffee in some little café, somewhere...

Read more about Carissa and her projects at www.carissaklopoushak.com.

Carissa Klopoushak is represented by Latitude 45 Arts.