Biography

Ellamay Mantie is a cellist based in Montreal with a strong passion for both orchestral and chamber music. Currently finishing her Bachelor's degree at the Schulich School of Music with Brian Manker, Ellamay often serves as the Principal Cellist of the McGill Symphony Orchestra and performs as a substitute cellist with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. She is also a founding member of the Lyra Quartet, with whom she performs regularly.

 When she’s not working on her primary studies, Ellamay pursues other musical interests such as recording projects, playing and arranging traditional fiddle music, and exploring cross-genre and contemporary works. Her early training in traditional folk music, alongside her classical studies, informs her musical voice and has led her to explore a wide range of creative endeavors. She enjoys teaching the genre to others as well as incorporating it into her classical work.

Throughout her academic career, Ellamay has earned financial awards from McGill University. Additionally, she advanced to the semi-finals in auditions for the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal two years in a row. She has participated in masterclasses with esteemed artists such as Brannon Cho, Johannes Moser, and Phillipe Muller. This past summer, her quartet received fellowships at the Garth Newel Music Centre and the Tuckamore Music Festival, where they performed for audiences in venues such as community centres, private residences, and even an observatory.