Violin

Carmen Abelson

First Violin

Violinist Carmen Abelson (she/her/hers) works throughout the Chicagoland and Midwest areas as an orchestral, chamber, and solo performer and music educator. Currently assistant principal 2nd violin of the West Michigan Symphony and a tenured member of the Illinois Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras, Abelson is also a core member of 5th Wave Ensemble, a collective dedicated to the performance of works by womxn and non-binary composers, and a teaching artist at The People’s Music School. As well, Abelson teaches violin as adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield and at Glenbard East High School, and maintains a private studio. In addition to her work in classical music, she performs in the family band “Susan and Sons” with her mother and sister and with the Bristol Busk ‘n’ Frolic at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.