Carmen Abelson

Violinist Carmen Abelson (she/her/hers) works throughout the Chicagoland and Midwest areas as an orchestral, chamber, and solo performer and music educator. Currently assistant principal 2nd violin of the West Michigan Symphony, a tenured member of the Illinois Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic, and Elgin Symphony Orchestras, she also performs with Chicago Sinfonietta, 5th Wave Ensemble, and diverse regional ensembles. As well, Abelson teaches violin through the People’s Music School SLAM program, at Glenbard East high school, and maintains a private studio. Abelson holds degrees from Rice, Sam Houston State, and DePaul Universities where she pursued interests in music history, period performance, and pedagogy in addition to violin playing. Having performed chamber music throughout Chicago as a Civic Fellow during her three-year stint with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Abelson is a current member of Varo String Quartet and Four Equals. Outside the world of classical music, she performs in the family band “Susan and Sons” with her mother and sister and with the Bristol Busk ‘n’ Frolic at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.