Before moving to Canada in the summer of 2001, Amanda Goodburn pursued her studies in both England and South Africa, where she distinguished herself as a critically acclaimed young violinist. During her undergraduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch, Amanda performed with the major South African orchestras, and was the winner of two major awards to facilitate overseas study - the Mabel Quick Overseas Bursary and the Sasol Music Prize competition. These successes, in addition to a full scholarship, enabled her to continue her graduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

While in England, Amanda performed at numerous music festivals as a chamber musician. She led the Goodburn String Quartet, whose performances at the yearly Royal Northern College Chamber Music festivals included the UK premier of John Corigliano’s String Quartet; this quartet also collaborated with cellist Antonio Lysy, and played in masterclasses with the Arditti, Endellion and Emerson Quartets. As a member of the Strydom/Goodburn piano duo, Amanda performed recitals in northern England and in Bath at the famous ‘Pump Room’. Amanda was fortunate in being given the RNCM’s Amati violin to perform on for the final year of her studies. During this year, she won the Samro Music Prize in South Africa and the RNCM’s Paganini Prize, achieved a place in the Hallé Orchestra’s Professional Experience program, and graduated with both a Professional Performance and Advanced Performance Diploma with distinction.

Once her studies in England were complete, Amanda visited Canada, intending only to attend the summer masterclasses at Banff. With three years and a Masters degree from the University of Toronto behind her, Amanda now calls Toronto her home. She was featured as soloist with the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Toronto in performances of the Brahms Violin Concerto; and has also performed with Arraymusic, the Mooredale and ARC Ensembles. and with the Tokai String Quartet, of which she is a founding member. She became a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in September 2004.

Amanda's biography also available in MS Word format