Hi, I’m KIM DE LAFOREST!
Kim de Laforest is a fiddle, violin, viola and vocal performer and teacher based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She enjoys combining many different styles of folk and classical music to create her own unique sound.
Kim was introduced to the violin at the age of 4. By the time she was 6, she had joined her first orchestra in her hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan. That was the start of a lifetime of learning, creating and sharing her music.
In her classical world, Kim spent 10 years with the Regina Symphony Orchestra before moving to Saskatoon in 2000. As a member of the Saskatoon Symphony, Kim has served as the assistant concertmaster, principal second violin, principal viola, and section violin and viola player. Kim has also been very involved in chamber music groups across the province, and is currently the first violin player in the Mac Talla string quartet.
As well as being a busy performer, Kim is a sought-after instructor and adjudicator and has been the musical director of the Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra for the past 14 years. Kim teaches from her home studio in Saskatoon mentoring around fifty students and multiple violin/fiddle groups. Additionally, Kim travels to Baffin Island Nunavut twice a year to teach fiddle programs to Inuit youth.
Highlights and Accomplishments:
Kim de Laforest is one half of the folk duo Northwoods. Together with guitarist Greg Simm, she has played at events across the Prairies, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Nunavut. Kim also plays with local Irish band Siamsa (now known as Jim ‘n Kim) as well as doing a lot of solo fiddle work. In 2004 Kim released her first solo CD Kindred Spirits and was featured on CBC's DiscDrive during its Saskatchewan tour. During Juno Fest 2007 in Saskatoon, Kim's performance was recorded for CBC's Canada Live. Kim’s second solo CD ‘Transitions’ was released in November 2011. Additionally, she has had numerous guest appearances in other musicians’ CD recordings, most recently for Ray Whitton and Smilin’ Rylan.
HIGHLIGHTS and accomplishments
CD RECORDINGS
2019- Northwoods, Northwoods
2016- Prairie Sea, Distance 2014- Prairie Sea, Prairie Sea Both CDs received nominations at the East Coast Music awards
2011 - Kim de Laforest, Transitions 2004- Kim de Laforest, Kindred Spirits
1999- Off Kilter, Road Kilt
PERFORMANCES
2021- Soloist with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra: Trip to Dublin show
2016- Violinist and violist for Book of Mormon show in Saskatoon
2009- Violist for Anne Murray show in Saskatoon
2008- Violinist and contractor for Trans Siberian Orchestra show in Saskatoon
2007- Violinist for Persephone Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast
2007- Kim’s Juno Fest performance was recorded and broadcast on CBC’s Canada Live
2004- Kindred Spirits CD was featured on CBC’s Disc Drive during its Saskatchewan tour