2026 Live Adjudicators

Canadian violinist Mary-Elizabeth Brown has established herself as both a captivating performer and a dedicated educator in Canada and abroad. Hailed by critics for her “ability to unfold bittersweet magic" and "perfect command of her instrument," solo engagements have taken her to notable venues and festivals across Europe, Asia, North and South America including Festival do Campos do Jordão (Brazil), the White House, and the Aldeburgh Festival (UK). Over 2 decades as a concertmaster, Brown has led orchestras four continents, earning critical praise for her leadership, and collaborating with celebrated conductors Lorin Maazel, Placido Domingo, Carlos Miguel Prieto and others. She is currently the concertmaster of OPCM (Montreal), acting associate concertmaster of the Orquestra Sinfónica Nacional de la República Dominicana, and plays regularly with l’Orchestre Metropolitain and Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Brown is a highly sought-after teacher and speaker. She founded the AVIVA Virtual Young Artist Program in 2012, pioneering web-based pre-college music education. Recent visiting artist appointments include Dalhousie University, the University of the Bahamas, Bellarmine University and the University of Texas. She was named a Teacher of Distinction by the Royal Conservatory in 2020.

Her commitment to innovation and accessibility extends to her work in the creation of low-cost instruments using polymers and 3D printers, work that has been featured in more than 400 media outlets in 14 languages including Voice of America, Reader’s Digest, BBC’s Science in Action, NPR’s Science Friday and the Hong Kong Economic Times.

Brown's academic qualifications include degrees from the University of Toronto, DePaul University, and l’Université de Montréal (where she completed her doctorate as a Schmeelk Fellow), as well as graduate certificates from the London School of Economics and Harvard University.  She plays on a 1766 Gagliano violin.