BARBARA DOWNIE holds Master's degrees in violin performance and musicology from Rice University, where she studied with Kenneth Goldsmith. A native of Scotland, she gave her London début at the Purcell Room in the South Bank Centre in 1989, and has been broadcast in solo recitals by BBC television and radio.

Ms. Downie has performed with the Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, the Houston Symphony, and with the BBC Scottish Symphony in the 2004 Edinburgh Festival. She has been a member of the Carmel (California) Bach Festival since 1997, and has performed with Houston Grand Opera as Principal Viola for baroque productions on original instruments.

Ms. Downie recently earned the artist's diploma, Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music, with distinction. In addition, she holds diplomas in viola performance from Trinity College, London, and in piano accompaniment from the London College of Music. An active soloist, chamber musician, and teacher, Ms. Downie joined the faculty of the University of St. Thomas in 2003 and has been a violin instructor in the Shepherd School Preparatory Program since 1996.