Justin Saulnier

Justin Saulnier is a 18-year-old violinist from Orléans, Ontario. He was the recipient of the Lloyd Carr-Harris String Scholarship to attend McGill University Schulich School of music and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in violin performance with Andrew Wan.  

He was the concertmaster of Canada’s National Youth Orchestra for their 2022 season. He is also the former concertmaster of the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and the Ottawa Youth Orchestra. He has also shared the stage with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Thirteen Strings, the Ottawa Pops Orchestra, and the Parkdale Orchestra.

As a soloist, Justin has received many awards, notably the first prize in the OMFA’s provincial competition, the Kinsmen Club Shield Trophy, the RCM Gold Medal, and the Edythe Young Browne Trophy. He is also the winner of the 2023 McGill Concerto Competition. He made his orchestral solo debut at age 12 with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and since then, has performed with the Pembroke Symphony Orchestra and the Ottawa Youth Orchestra. He was also invited to perform at la Chapelle du Bon-Pasteur, the RCM Celebration of Excellence, the Chamberfest Rising Stars concert, and the Southminster Church Doors Open For Music concert series. He has performed in masterclasses for many prominent violinists, such as James Ehnes, Catherine Cho, Mikhail Kopelman, Jonathan Crow, and Timothy Chooi.