2026 Virtual Adjudicators

Carole Bestvater, violinist, strives to share her joy of music with those around her.  She is equally at home in classical and folk genres, and balances a career as a performing artist, session musician, and dedicated educator.  Carole relocated to St. John’s in 2011 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance with Dr. Nancy Dahn at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She loved it so much that she decided to stay, and has maintained a full schedule as a performer and educator ever since. 

As an educator, Carole is on faculty of the Suzuki Talent Education Program in St. John's, and maintains a private studio. Passionate about community, Carole founded the Strong Harbour Strings Program, an after school music program based in the belief that communities can be strengthened through the learning and sharing of music.  

As a performer, you will find Carole thriving in both the downtown folk music scene and the classical music world.  She balances a rehearsal and performance schedule with many groups; In the folk world, that includes Youngtree & The Blooms, Youngtree & Carole Bee, Crooked Stovepipe, High & Lonesome, Lady Lupin, and Topanga; in the classical one, you are likely to find her playing chamber music with the Strong Harbour Strings Collective, and in the Assistant Principal Second chair of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.