Melissa Carstairs

A Scottish violinist, Melissa Carstairs made her professional concerto debut at 15. She studied with Clive Thomas, Lydia Mordkovitch and is a graduate of the Juilliard School where she studied with Sally Thomas. Since graduating, she has appeared as guest leader with orchestras including Cabrillo Festival orchestra in CA, USA and Royal Scottish National Orchestra where she also performed as a soloist. She was appointed Assistant Concert Master of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in 2004 and was appointed Associate Concert Master in 2023. She regularly performs chamber music and has led the Edinburgh String Quartet in a tour throughout Scotland. In 2012 she joined The World Orchestra for Peace under Valery Gergiev for performances in the USA and again in 2014 performing at the Proms. In October 2022 Melissa joined The Orchestra of Opera North as leader in their production of La traviata.