Sarah Fraser Raff

Juno-nominated chamber violinist and a member of the College of Examiners. Sarah Fraser Raff has been a faculty member of the Royal Conservatory of Music for over 20 years. Limited teaching is available this academic year, and Japanese instruction is available. She is also a co-facilitator of the RCM Online Violin Teacher Training Course: Teaching Elementary Violin. A founding member of the Madawaska String Quartet and ensemble, Sarah has been travelling regionally and internationally since 2001 with a roster of collaborators such as Sopranos Adrianne Pieczonka and Measha Brueggergosman and pianist Jan Liseicki. Festival appearances include the Festival of the Sound, Guelph Fest, Elora, Festival Ibero Americano (Puerto Rico), Toronto International Chamber Music Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, TSO New Creations, and 21C at Koerner Hall. She has appeared at numerous universities, including but not limited to U. of T., Brock U, Guelph U, Waterloo U, McMaster U., Lakehead U, York, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Performed at MIT, MassMOCA, Huddersfield New Music Festival (UK), Bang on a Can (New York), Museum of Modern Art, Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre, and Columbia University Miller Theatre and Open Ears Festival as a member of Contaqt New Music Ensemble since 2002. Has also performed with the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Opera Company, National Ballet, Tapestry New Opera, Arraymusic, Soundstreams Canada, Esprit Orchestra, and major musicals as a freelance violinist. Collaborated on many recordings, including the Juno-winning classical composition of the year, Bestiary I & II by Bekah Simms. Sarah's students have been accepted into York University and McGill University, WLU and the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. She has thirty years of experience teaching adults and children in both Canada and Japan. Has taught the Royal Conservatory Adult Chamber Orchestra and currently coaches Taylor Academy Chamber groups. Prepared students of all ages successfully at all grade levels of The Royal Conservatory Examinations, including three Gold Medals. Faculty of Music at Port Milford Chamber Music Camp, CAMMAC Ontario Music Centre, Aviva Young Artists and Kinkardine Summer Festival and Camp. Taught Taylor Academy String Masterclasses. Sarah has also presented workshops for composers at the University of Toronto, York University, Music Gallery, Array New Music Centre (both as Artists-in-Residence), Canadian Music Centre, Canadian Contemporary Music Workshop, Guild of Canadian Film Composers, and Puerto Rico Performance Workshop. https://sarahfraserraff.com