Intrigued by the violin, TJ Skinner (they/them) began studying music at the age of nine in their hometown of Victoria, Canada. Today they are an engaging and versatile performer and a dynamic educator, sharing music across America, Europe and Asia. An active chamber musician, TJ is a member of Montreal’s Juno-nominated classical string band, collectif9, as well as the contemporary nonet, CASSIOPÉE. Since 2018 they have played regularly with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.

An award-winning soloist and chamber musician, TJ has been recognized by the Canadian Music Competition 2015 (1st prize), Jeunesses Musicales du Canada (Peter Mendell Award), Prix d’Europe 2016 (1st prize, strings; 3rd prize, overall; Guy Soucie prize), Sylva Gelber Music Foundation, Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition (finalist). Their winning performance in the McGill Chamber Music Competition (2016) with Trio Armonioso resulted in a performance at the Salzburg Mozarteum. Named one of CBC’s “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30”, TJ performed solo with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 2020.

A dedicated educator, TJ is passionate about inspiring their students to be creative, confident and curious. They have coached young symphony players and have taught chamber music and violin at McGill University and F.A.C.E in Montréal.

TJ holds Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in performance from McGill University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings (Mercer University).