Katie McBean began studying the viola at age 14 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In her 15 years as a violist, she has performed across the country, excelling in both music festivals and competitions, including the NAC Young Artists program, Scotiafest, Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival, London Kiwanis Rosebowl, LMSF, Saskatchewan Provincial Music Festival, and the National CMFC Festival. In addition to her solo career, Katie is passionate about chamber and orchestral performance. She performed with the National Youth Orchestra for three consecutive summers (2007-2009), and was employed as a violist for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (2006-2012), Orchestra London, and now London Symphonia. She also performs with the Rebel Heart Collective, the Western Viola Ensemble, led by Sharon Wei, Serenata Series, and the London Symphonia Chamber Series. Katie graduated from concurrent Western University degree programs in French Literature and Music Education. While attending Western, she studied with acclaimed violist, Sharon Wei, and is currently completing her Masters in Education to further her passion for education. Katie resides in London with her partner, Fraser, and their one year old son, Ellis! Together, they like to play with balls, crash down towers, and eat corn on the cob!