Holly Parker

Holly Parker, Violin

Holly Parker, age 17, began violin lessons at the age of 6 with Naomi Delafield. She is currently studying under the guidance of renowned Canadian violinist Joan Barrett. Expanding her arts training, Holly has also studied piano with Dr. Debra Bakland and Dr. Alison Kilgannon-Sanchez, as well as eight years of training in various forms of dance.

Holly enjoys performing and sharing her music. She has received high marks on multiple Royal Conservatory examinations and has been a participant in local music festivals since 2013, competing in violin, piano and chamber music. Holly also successfully competed in the National Finals of the Canadian Music Competition, won first place in the 2021 and 2022 Alberta Provincial Music Festivals, and was a winner of the Young Artist Concerto Competition at Burman University in 2019.

As part of Calgary’s Amici String Program under the leadership of Fiona Carnie, and the Valhalla Summer School of Music program in BC, Holly has had the privilege of being taught by international artists such as Gwen Hoebig, Andrew Wan, Jonathan Crowe, Jinjoo Cho, Diana Cohen, Jeff Plotnick, and Luri Lee.

Holly is an experienced ensemble musician. She is a former member of Burman University Symphony Orchestra and is currently a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, the Early Music Camerata Ensemble and concertmaster of the Rosedale Valley String Orchestra. Recent performances in collaboration with Kensington Sinfonia in Calgary have been especially inspiring for Holly.

Aside from music, she enjoys travelling, baking, swimming, and anything artrelated.

Holly strongly believes in the power of music to help bring hope and healing to others and has been actively involved in various projects through music to raise funds for A Better World Canada. She is honoured to be a part of this International Women’s Day celebration and to be performing with the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra.

Photo: Richard Siemens