Chris Brainard
Interim Director of Strings & Philharmonic
Chris Brainard began studying the violin at 8 years old in a public school music program in central Maine, under the guidance of Laurie Kennedy, principal violist of the Portland Symphony. After just six months, she came home and declared she wanted to be a violinist when she grew up. Ms. Brainard is pleased to have fulfilled that dream, though she’s consistently and persistently resisted the idea of "growing up."
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Boston University, studying violin with Yuri Mazurkevich, and a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Connecticut. In 2022, Ms. Brainard was appointed concertmaster of the Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra after several seasons in the viola section.
In addition to performing as a violinist and violist in symphony orchestras, Ms. Brainard regularly plays in musical theater/pit orchestras and chamber groups across New England and is an occasional member of the Occasional Brass & Strings.
When not performing, Ms. Brainard has dedicated herself to teaching and inspiring young musicians. She began her career teaching orchestra and strings to students in the Quabbin Regional School District. Since 2010, she has taught elementary and middle school strings in the Lexington Public Schools. She also conducts the Primo Orchestra in the Rivers Youth Orchestra program at the Rivers Conservatory in Weston. Ms. Brainard has been a guest conductor for day-long festivals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and in August 2025, she will be joining the faculty at the New England Music Camp for their Prelude program. Ms. Brainard is excited to be working with the talented musicians in the Worcester Youth Orchestras for the remainder of its 77th season!
Interim Director of Strings & Philharmonic
Chris Brainard began studying the violin at 8 years old in a public school music program in central Maine, under the guidance of Laurie Kennedy, principal violist of the Portland Symphony. After just six months, she came home and declared she wanted to be a violinist when she grew up. Ms. Brainard is pleased to have fulfilled that dream, though she’s consistently and persistently resisted the idea of "growing up."
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Boston University, studying violin with Yuri Mazurkevich, and a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Connecticut. In 2022, Ms. Brainard was appointed concertmaster of the Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra after several seasons in the viola section.
In addition to performing as a violinist and violist in symphony orchestras, Ms. Brainard regularly plays in musical theater/pit orchestras and chamber groups across New England and is an occasional member of the Occasional Brass & Strings.
When not performing, Ms. Brainard has dedicated herself to teaching and inspiring young musicians. She began her career teaching orchestra and strings to students in the Quabbin Regional School District. Since 2010, she has taught elementary and middle school strings in the Lexington Public Schools. She also conducts the Primo Orchestra in the Rivers Youth Orchestra program at the Rivers Conservatory in Weston. Ms. Brainard has been a guest conductor for day-long festivals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and in August 2025, she will be joining the faculty at the New England Music Camp for their Prelude program. Ms. Brainard is excited to be working with the talented musicians in the Worcester Youth Orchestras for the remainder of its 77th season!
