Simone Cartales

Simone Cartales, a violist and educator from the Boston area, has centered her musical endeavors around modernizing classical music to make it accessible to all. Simone is especially dedicated to chamber music. She is a founding member of the GAIA Quartet, an all-women string quartet that prioritizes innovative programming and contemporary collaborations, bringing classical music into the 21st century.

Beyond chamber music, Simone is an active orchestral and solo performer, having played at international venues such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland. Simone has collaborated with a diverse range of ensembles, including Palaver Strings, INTERWOVEN, and Bill Banfield’s “Imagine Orchestra”. Committed to expanding the viola repertoire, Simone has also commissioned two unique works for solo viola by composers Grace Dashnaw and Tanya Zhmendak.

Simone is also a dedicated teacher and music administrator. She serves on the violin and viola faculty at Merrimack Valley Community Music School and Shore Country Day School and coaches chamber music at Winchester Community Music School. In

addition to teaching, she holds administrative roles at both Merrimack Valley Community Music School and Winchester Community Music School. With a commitment to fostering a deep love of music, Simone's teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student's musical journey is unique.

Simone received her M.M. in Viola Performance from the Longy School of Music of Bard College studying with Paula Majerfeld, and her B.M. in Viola Performance from Ithaca College studying with Kyle Armbrust.