Elena is teaching Viola Technique, Intro to Playing Baroque, Non-Classical Genres on Viola and leading Folk 45.

Elena Spanu started playing the violin at the age of three. She began her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She continued to develop her skills on both the violin and the viola at Western University where she received a Bachelor of Musical Arts and at the University of Toronto where she received an artist diploma for Baroque violin performance under the direction of Jean Lamon.
Elena currently holds the chair of principal second violin with the North York Concert Orchestra and plays regularly with the Niagara Symphony. As a freelancer, she plays violin and viola with orchestras and chamber groups in and out of Toronto.
Elena has always enjoyed listening to the sounds and grooves of old time Appalachian music, finding it to be uplifting and energizing. Her latest projects include a musical old time trio called Ruah, and an alternative chamber folk quartet called The Wilderness Inside.
Elena has been exploring her voice as a composer and in 2021 she debut a set of her original music at the Tranzac in Toronto. She has since played many concerts featuring her original music and enjoys sharing her new ideas with her students and musical community. In 2024, The Wilderness Inside released an EP and Elena’s composition can be found on track two, Segeio Segaio.
She is currently studying orchestral composition and has several works in progress. She is excited about this new chapter in her creative journey.
Elena enjoys sharing her creative energy through teaching. She is a Suzuki violin and viola instructor and a Creative Ability Development coach. She directs the Toronto Suzuki Studio and is a faculty member at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Center.