About me

I’m Cláudia Carvalho, a violinist from Guimarães, Portugal, and my journey with the violin began when I was seven years old at the Conservatório de Guimarães, studying with Filipa Abreu. I spent twelve years there, growing up through music and discovering what it meant to dedicate myself to an instrument. During that time, I was fortunate to receive several national awards, including the Concurso Santa Cecília and Concurso Marília Rocha, among others.

My love for orchestral and chamber music started early, especially through my years with the youth ensemble Violinolas. That experience shaped how I see music: as a space for connection, curiosity, and collaboration. Since then, while I was in Portugal, I’ve had the chance to play with ensembles such as the Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa, Orquestra Sinfónica Ensemble, Portuguese Chamber Orchestra, and Orquestra de Guimarães, and to work with inspiring conductors including Vítor Matos, Pedro Carneiro, Cesário Costa, David Bruchez-Lalli, and Leon Spierer. Each of them left a mark on how I listen, play, and understand music.

In 2019, I moved to the Netherlands to continue my studies at Fontys Hogeschool voor de Kunsten. I graduated from my master’s with distinction (cum laude) under the guidance of Jolente De Maeyer, whose teaching deeply influenced my artistic path. While in the Netherlands, I co-founded the Rosin Octet, with whom I’ve performed at venues like TivoliVredenburg, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, and the Arvo Pärt Centre.

I’m also passionate about contemporary music, and I love working directly with composers. I’ve premiered pieces by Kate Moore, Enrico Ferri, and Jay Schwartz, collaborations that have expanded my understanding of sound and opened new dimensions in my creative expression.