Cassie Nielsen

Principal Clarinet

Cassie Nielsen is a clarinetist from Long Island, currently residing in Toronto. She obtained her bachelor of music at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and her Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School. Her primary teachers include Daniel Gilbert, Chad Burrow, and Joaquin Valdepeñas.
Cassie has enjoyed a multifaceted career as an orchestral musician, appearing in orchestras across Canada and the US. She served as Interim Second Clarinet in the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra in 2024, and since then has performed in the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony, the London Symphonia, and more. An avid teacher as well as performer, Cassie is on faculty at the Orrett Music Academy and the Kingsway School of Music. In her free time, Cassie enjoys knitting, camping, and reading.

What inspired you to pick up your instrument for the first time, and how has your journey evolved since then?
I wish that I had a more profound answer to this question, but the real reason I play the clarinet is because I was a huge fan of Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants as a kid. To this day, I still cite him as one of my major musical influences.

Who is your favourite composer, and what piece of theirs do you love playing the most?
Maurice Ravel! I love his music so much I named my cat after him. All of his pieces are fantastic, but Daphnis et Chloé is my favorite.

What do you think is the most rewarding aspect of being part of an orchestra?
The best aspect of being in an orchestra is having the opportunity to collaborate with other musicians. I am constantly inspired by my colleagues, and feel very fortunate to make music with them.

What is your favourite food/book/movie/guilty pleasure?
I love fantasy novels! My favorite series are A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin and the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.

Do you have a current SideQuest?
I am currently knitting my third sweater!