Virginia Allen, CVCO Concertmaster

Ginny Allen grew up in the Philadelphia area and began her violin studies at the Settlement Music School. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan, studying both violin and viola. She has additional degrees in Special Education and Nursing.

Over the years, as she raised a family, she taught violin and viola privately in her home as well as at the Camerata Conservatory in Glastonbury and at the Kimberton (PA) Waldorf School. She was Concertmaster of the Manchester (CT) Symphony Orchestra from approximately 1974 to 1984, at which time she moved to England for 2 years with her family. From England, she joined up with the then Connecticut String Orchestra, and traveled with them on their concert tour of Austria and Hungary in 1986. Upon return to the US, she joined the Connecticut String Orchestra (later renamed the Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra), serving as concertmaster from 1990 until 1997, at which time she moved to Pennsylvania for 5 years. In 2002, she rejoined the CVCO as a violist and was reappointed concertmaster in 2003.

Ginny is a performing member of the Musical Club of Hartford. She also has given solo recitals in the
Hartford Area, on Nantucket, and in Charlton, Massachusetts. She works full-time as a registered nurse at Middlewoods of Newington, an assisted living community. She spends as much time as possible with her 4 beautiful grandchildren. She loves to read and garden. Additionally, she serves as property manager for her church building (Quaker Meeting in West Hartford) and has been President of the CVCO since 2005. Somehow, she even finds time to practice!!