Victor Costanzi
Board Chair

Victor Costanzi, co-founder and formerly Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Vetta Chamber Series, is one of North America’s most versatile violinists. His professional engagements span many genres including Soloist, Concertmaster (symphony and chamber orchestra, opera, ballet, film-scores, musical theatre and for many leading popular performers), New Music, Early Music and Chamber Music. He has been a frequent guest of various chamber music series, and collaborated with numerous international artists including Heinz Holliger, Anner Bylsma, Monica Huggett, John Eliot Gardener, Andrew Parrott and Steve Reich. His debut as soloist was with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra at the age of sixteen, and he has toured Latin America, the United States, Canada and China with broadcasts on both radio and television.

The critical acclaim for his performances confirms his reputation as a violinist both popular and in demand: “virtuoso performances by Victor Costanzi” … “inspired playing brought the house down” – Toronto Globe and Mail; “The highlight of the concert” – Montreal Gazette; “exceptional” – Vancouver Province. Mr. Costanzi is a native of St. Paul Minnesota and a graduate of the Eastman School of Music which he attended on full scholarship. He lived in Vancouver, BC from 1979 to 2005 and has recorded for the CBC, Vox, Skylark, Centre Disc and Miracle Records labels.

In March of 2005 he re-located to New York following an invitation to perform as Concertmaster on Broadway. Other performances in the area include numerous appearances with the New Jersey Symphony, the American Ballet Theatre and touring the U.S. as solo-violinist with Chita Rivera and Topol. In February 2010 he performed as Concertmaster for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

His teaching history includes private instruction, many years at the CYMC Festival on Vancouver Island, Master Classes at WWU and the University of Victoria, and most recently as a coach with BYCP in Bellingham.

Victor has been playing with the Festival orchestra for many years, serving as principal second violin. In July 2020, he relocated to the Pacific Northwest with his wife Carolyn Canfield. He joined the Festival Board in 2020 and will be serving as Board Chair starting with the 2024 season.