Mairi Dorman Phaneuf is a renowned cellist and music educator who has made significant contributions to the classical music world. Born in Montreal, Canada, on May 22, 1979, Mairi grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, a pianist, and her mother, a violinist, were both members of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Mairi's parents recognized her musical talent at an early age and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Mairi began playing the cello at the age of four and quickly showed promise as a young musician. She studied with renowned cellists such as Yuli Turovsky, Shauna Rolston, and Matt Haimovitz. Mairi's talent and dedication to her craft led her to win numerous awards and competitions throughout her youth, including the Canadian Music Competition and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Competition. In 1997, Mairi was accepted into the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she studied with renowned cellist David Soyer. During her time at Curtis, Mairi had the opportunity to perform with some of the world's most renowned musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Pinchas Zukerman. After graduating from Curtis in 2001, Mairi began her professional career as a cellist. She quickly established herself as a sought-after performer, playing with some of the world's most renowned orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mairi has also performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. In addition to her work as a performer, Mairi is also a dedicated music educator. She has taught at numerous institutions, including the University of Ottawa, the University of Montreal, and the Conservatoire de musique de Montreal. Mairi is also the founder and artistic director of the Montreal Chamber Music Festival, which she established in 1995. Throughout her career, Mairi has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the classical music world. In 2003, she was awarded the Prix Opus for "Discovery of the Year" by the Conseil québécois de la musique. In 2007, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to Canadian culture. In 2012, she was awarded the Prix Opus for "Concert of the Year" for her performance of the complete Bach Cello Suites. One of the highlights of Mairi's career was her performance of the complete Bach Cello Suites at the Montreal Chamber Music Festival in 2012. The performance was hailed as a "tour de force" by critics and audiences alike, and it cemented Mairi's reputation as one of the world's leading cellists. Mairi's dedication to music education has also been a significant part of her career. She has worked tirelessly to promote classical music to young people, and she has been a mentor to many young musicians throughout her career. In 2015, she was awarded the Prix Opus for "Educator of the Year" by the Conseil québécois de la musique. In addition to her work as a performer and educator, Mairi is also a dedicated philanthropist. She has worked with numerous charitable organizations, including the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. In 2014, she established the Mairi Dorman Phaneuf Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to young musicians pursuing a career in classical music.

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