Violist Keith Hamm is a native of Rosebud, Alberta. While still a student, Keith was named Principal Violist of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and performed there for eight seasons. In the fall of 2019, Keith took up that same position with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra where he is frequently featured as a concerto soloist, chamber musician and narrator for educational and family programs.

Keith received his training at the Glenn Gould School of Music under the instruction of Steven Dann, and at the Mount Royal Conservatory with Nicholas Pulos. Other influences include Pinchas Zukerman, Mark Fewer, Richard Lester, the London Haydn Quartet, and especially formative summers at the Chamber Music Program at Le Domaine Forget.

In 2013 Keith founded the Rosebud Chamber Music festival and Rosebud String Quartet in his hometown. The RSQ’s recent recording of Haydn & Mozart has received critical acclaim including a five-star review in La Scena Musicale. A passionate chamber musician, Keith enjoys performing at festivals across Canada. Favourites include the Sweetwater Music Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Stratford Summer Music, Ottawa Chamberfest, and Classical Valley. Keith has joined Royal Conservatory’s ARC Ensemble and Amici Ensemble as a guest.

He is frequently featured on CBC Radio where he was dubbed ‘Canada’s next viola superstar’. He has been heard on Toronto’s Classical 96.3, CKUA Radio and Minnesota Public Radio. His recording catalogue includes releases from the Leaf Music, Stone Records and Centaur record labels.

Keith teaches viola and violin at the University of Alberta and chamber music at the Winspear Centre’s Chamber Music Academy where he is a member of the Garneau String Quartet. With the GSQ, he has shared the stage with Angela Cheng, Desmond Hoebig, The New Orford Strip Quartet and many more.

He has also taught viola and chamber music at the Glenn Gould School, Dalhousie University, Mount Royal University and in the summers at PRISMA Festival and Music at Port Milford. From 2000 - 2002, Keith was the fiddler for the Calgary Flames.

He performs on a viola by Samuel Zygmuntowicz made in 1981.