Janet Carpenter

Janet Carpenter joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra second violin section in 2016.

Carpenter previously played in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, as acting first assistant concertmaster and first violin. During her time there she performed regularly on the CSO Chamber Players series and appeared multiple times as a soloist with the Cincinnati Community Orchestra. Prior to that, she was principal second violinist of the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

Carpenter earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of David Updegraff, and was the recipient of CIM’s Dr. Jerome Gross Prize in Violin. She was also a member of the Case Western Reserve University Baroque Orchestra, under the tutelage of Julie Andrijeski and members of Apollo’s Fire. She made her solo debut as a first prize winner of the Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition.

Carpenter is a strong believer in encouraging the next generation of musicians, and as such has toured Australia as an alumna and soloist with the Cincinnati Junior Strings. A passionate believer in bringing music to all communities, she is an enthusiastic participant in the SLSO’s Community Partnership program. She regularly coaches young musicians, performs chamber music in nontraditional venues, and highlights works by marginalized composers.

In her spare time, Carpenter enjoys traveling, arts festivals, board games, and spending time with her partner and their two cats.