Violinist Erin Dorfer is an active performer and educator based in South Surrey, British Columbia. A Canadian with a strong Dutch heritage, Erin brings energy and enthusiasm to the concert stage. Erin has been a member of the Vancouver Island Symphony since 2010.

Erin holds a Master’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of British Columbia and she recently completed a year at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague, Netherlands in Baroque violin. During her time in Europe, she studied with Kati Debretzeni and had further studies with Shunske Sato, Walter Reiter and Rebecca Huber. Performance highlights include a concert with the Orchestra of the 18th Century. While abroad, she also attended pedagogy lectures and classes.

Erin maintains a thriving private studio, offering lessons to violinists of all ages and skill levels. She is a trained Suzuki teacher and blends the Suzuki philosophy with traditional classical technique to create a customized approach for each student. Her students benefit from both one-on-one instruction and group classes, including Suzuki group classes, technique classes and chamber music coaching. With her husband, violinist and conductor Rick Dorfer, Erin runs the local BCRMTA Strings Festival and the summer retreat Music Meadows and Mountains.

In addition to teaching, Erin performs professionally with the Vancouver Island Symphony and collaborates regularly with chamber and Baroque ensembles across Western Canada. She recently founded the ensemble Anima Barocca featuring Baroque flute, Baroque oboe/recorder, Baroque bassoon, gamba, viol, and harpsichord. She is also actively involved in the broader music education community, serving on the Suzuki Music/Musique Canada E-newsletter committee.

When not teaching or playing the violin, Erin enjoys working out, gardening, reading fantasy/sci-fi books, and baking.