Michael Casimir (Viola ’18) Appointed Principal Viola of Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Curtis alumnus joins the ensemble's roster during its historic centenary season
Curtis congratulates Michael Casimir (Viola ’18), who has been appointed principal violist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gustavo Gimeno, as the ensemble launches its landmark 100th anniversary concert season. Seven new musicians, including Mr. Casimir, will join the roster along with Christopher Reiche Boucher (principal librarian), Alex Liedtke (associate principal oboe), Luri Lee (violin), Song Hee Lee (cello), Oleksander Mycyk (cello), and Lucia Ticho (cello). The position was previously held by former Curtis alumna Teng Li (Viola ’05), current principal violist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Read the official announcement HERE.
Michael Casimir is a violist, educator, and video producer based in Toronto, Ontario. Prior to his recent appointment as principal violist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Casimir performed as a section violist of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra from 2018 to 2022. He was awarded second place in the 2015 Sphinx Competition and was the winner of the grand prize at the Hudson Valley String Competition in 2013.
Michael received his undergraduate degree from The Juilliard School as a student of Heidi Castleman and Misha Amory, and his post-baccalaureate degree from the Curtis Institute of Music under the tutelage of Roberto Díaz, Hsin-Yun Huang, and Ed Gazouleas. While studying at Curtis, Michael performed regularly with the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
An advocate of developing opportunities for young urban musicians, Michael has taught high school students in his hometown of Philadelphia and, most recently, the String Ensemble at Normandy High School in St. Louis. In 2021 he was appointed to the position of Orchestra Director at Lindenwood University. He recorded for Disney’s 2019 The Lion King soundtrack, Space Jam: A New Legacy, and enjoys playing, recording, filming, and editing solo and chamber music projects.
Visit Michael Casimir’s official website HERE.