Violist and violinist Victor Fournelle-Blain is leading an active career of orchestral and chamber musician, soloist and teacher. A member of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 2014, he currently holds the position of Principal viola. He has also served as associate principal viola, second assistant, and section violist with the OSM, and was previously principal viola of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has taught viola at the University of Toronto and Université de Montréal, and now teaches at McGill’s Schulich School of Music. In the summer season he attends festivals such as ClassicalValley, Concerts aux Îles du Bic, Orford Academy, Camp Musical des Laurentides and Formandi Festival (Guadalajara, Mexico).

Victor first studied the violin at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal under Johanne Arel, then completed a Master of Music under Ani Kavafian at the Yale School of Music, after which he obtained an Artist Diploma at McGill’s Schulich School of Music, studying the viola with André Roy. Winner of the 2012 Prix d’Europe, of McGill’s 2014 Golden Violin Award, and second prize winner of the 2010 OSM Standard Life Competition, he has performed in solo with orchestras including Orchestre Métropolitain and Orchestre Symphonique de Drummondville. He currently plays a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini viola, generously loaned by Canimex.