British Columbia Representative
Isabelle is a native of Canada, and grew up dividing her time between Paris and Vancouver. After receiving a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Victoria, where she studied with Jaroslav Karlovsky, she obtained her Masters in Performance at the Cleveland Institute, studying with Heidi Castleman, Lynne Ramsey Irvine, and Robert Vernon.
From 1990 to 2001, Isabelle was assistant principal viola of the Victoria Symphony. During this time, she performed as a soloist, including under the baton of Yehudi Menuhin. She co-founded the Savitri Quartet, performing on CBC Radio both with the quartet and in collaboration with mezzo-soprano Susan Platts. From 1996-1998, she served as assistant principal with the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder, Colorado.
Since settling permanently in Vancouver in 2002, Isabelle has appeared as a soloist with Lions’ Gate Sinfonia, West Coast Symphony, and Musica Intima. Currently, she is principal viola with Lions’ Gate Sinfonia, assistant principal viola of the Vancouver Opera, and performs regularly with the Vancouver Symphony. She also maintains a busy chamber music career with Blueridge Chamber Music Festival, West Coast Chamber Music, Vancouver Chamber Players, and Trio Accord.
Isabelle shares her love for the viola through teaching and mentoring young musicians. She has been teaching for over 30 years, including at music camps and festivals, and has adjudicated in various cities within B.C. She has been on the faculty of the Vancouver Academy of Music since 2003 and has served as Head of the Viola Department since 2014.
She enjoys raising her two sons, Nicholas and Kai, with her husband, Steve Mason.