Karen Strittmatter Galvin joined the North Carolina Symphony as Assistant Concertmaster in 2007. She has made multiple concerto solo appearances with the orchestra, including performing Nico Muhly’s concerto for six-string electric violin (Seeing is Believing), Anna Clyne’s Prince of Clouds, and Tabula Rasa (Arvo Pärt).
An advocate for new music, Galvin is founder and curator of New Music Raleigh, a cutting-edge ensemble dedicated to performing the works of living composers. She has created unique events for the National Gallery of Art, Duke Performances, the North Carolina Symphony, CAM Raleigh, and the North Carolina Opera.
Galvin can be heard on has several internationally-released recordings on Centaur Records. She is sought out as a collaborator and studio musician, performing and recording with many groups including Jethro Tull, Broken Social Scene, and the Mountain Goats.
Galvin serves as an artist faculty member at Brevard Music Center where she teaches talented high school and college-age musicians during the summer. In past summers, she has performed with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Colorado Music Festival. She has also played with The Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Galvin began her musical training at the age of five after seeing the violin for the first time while watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. She received a bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland.
Galvin and her husband were presented an INDY Arts Award in recognition for their contributions to the community and commitment to the growth of the arts in Raleigh.