Kassandra has been playing violin since she was 3 years old. She studied the Suzuki method of playing and has completed her grade 9 RCM exam. More recently she has learned to play the viola and has joined the London Community Orchestra. 

In her spare time Kassandra loves to travel and is currently training for a half marathon.

violin / viola

kassandra

Caitlin began taking Suzuki violin lessons at age 4 and continued private lessons until University. After completing her Grade 9 RCM, and being asked to play at several weddings she started It’s a String Thing with her sister and two friends. She continues to handle the communications and organization of It’s a String Thing and teaches violin privately.

Her spare time is spent with her girls and taking in football games.

violin

caitlin

Rachel has a Bachelor of Music, Honours Music Education (2017) from Western University. She studied cello with Professor Tom Wiebe and was a member of the UWO Symphony Orchestra. She has experience teaching cello group classes as well as private lessons to students of various ages. Her favourite piece to play is the Swan. 

In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading, running and swimming.

John has been playing with “It’s a String Thing” since 2012. He also serves as the ensemble’s in-house musical arranger, contributing fresh additions to the repertoire.

A career highlight involved an orchestral trip to Beijing, China. John maintains a studio in London and teaches in the Aeolian Hall’s El Sistema program, a free musical opportunity for underserved youth.

 Not limited to classical music, he enjoys playing guitar and bass, and can often be seen grooving in some of the London area’s live music pubs.

violin / viola

john

cello

RACHEL

A native of Windsor, Ontario, Grace has 15 years of experience as a wedding cellist, and has studied cello, piano, and voice from a very young age. While completing her studies at McGill in biomedical sciences, Grace never let her musical interests fade, gaining experience in orchestras, theatre productions, and choirs, including taking on the musical direction for an acapella group on campus. Locally, Grace plays regularly with the London Community Orchestra, and has stayed active in the music scene as a freelance cellist and vocalist.

When Grace isn’t singing at her keyboard or at an orchestra rehearsal, she can be found scouring the closest thrift store for unique pieces or learning a new board game with her friends.

cello

grace

Kelly Larochette is a proud student of the Suzuki method and holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from Western University. During her four years at Western, she studied under violinists Mel Martin and Dr. Robert Skelton. In addition to studying the Suzuki Violin method, Kelly has also obtained her Grade 10 RCM certification in piano.

As an educator, Kelly has taught at London’s CTEC program and the Suzuki Academy of Music. Her Suzuki training has included courses led by Paule Barsalou, Karen Kimmett, and Edmund Sprunger. Kelly’s personal mentors have included violinist Laurie Mitchell and flutist Kenichi Ueda.

violin

kelly