Orchestra Kingston employs professional musicians to lead our string sections. Throughout each season they lead and prepare our members to deliver a high standard of performance.

Concertmaster – Andrew Dicker

Andrew Dicker is an active musician and teacher in Kingston. Currently he performs with The Kingston Symphony, The Kingston Baroque Consort, The Melos Baroque Orchestra, Orchestra Kingston where he serves as concertmaster, and with The Kingston Piano Trio. 

In addition to his performing career, Andrew is a passionate educator. He offers private violin lessons at his home studio. Through his teaching, Andrew shares his expertise to students of all ages and proficiency levels. He received his Master of Music degree from Boston University and his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Toronto. 

Principal Second Violin – Joel Bootsma

Joel Bootsma is based in Belleville as a violinist, violist, teacher, conductor and luthier. His teaching studio, Red Door String Studio, is a dynamic Suzuki based violin and viola studio. As well as playing with Orchestra Kingston, he also plays with Quinte Symphony and Northumberland Orchestra and conducts Carpe Diem String Ensemble. To keep variety in life, Joel also does luthier work repairing string instruments and bows. Outside of his musical commitments you can often find him with his 100 year old Stanley hand plane honing his woodworking skills.

Principal Viola – Caroline Reiss

Caroline is an avid violist who is passionate about classical music and bringing music to everyone, especially youth. 

Caroline is currently the principal violist with Orchestra Kingston and plays with the Queens Symphony Orchestra. She has also played with Quinte Symphony, Orchestra Toronto, and the PSO. Most recently she played the Alpine Symphony with NYCO which had 100 players, including 4 Wagner horns and a wind machine! She also plays in a Baroque quartet featuring spinet and viola de gamba. 

In her day job, Caroline runs a wedding venue in Prince Edward County and has twin boys. 

Principal Cello – Jennifer Tindale

Jennifer graduated from Queens University with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education. She plays with Kingston Symphony Orchestra , Orchestra Kingston, Queens Cello Orchestra and the Accord Trio. Previously she played with Quinte Symphony Orchestra and Kingston Community Strings. She taught music with Limestone School Board, Sistema and privately. She enjoys sharing her cello knowledge with others.

Principal Double Bass – Roger Finlay

Roger Finlay graduated from the B.Mus. program at Queen’s University. He is a retired a high school Music and Drama teacher who taught in Sudbury for 32 years. While living in northern Ontario, he was principal double bassist for the Sudbury, the Sault Ste. Marie, and the North Bay Symphony Orchestras. Upon his return to Kingston, he joined Orchestra Kingston, the Queen’s Orchestra, and finds himself also performing with various other groups in the Kingston community.