Caitlin Edwards is a multi-genre violinist, arranger, recording artist, and teacher based in Chicago. She began her musical journey at age eight within a non-profit organization in her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. She later attended the University of Louisville (BM) and DePaul University (MM). Caitlin is a classically trained violinist, but is inspired by gospel, jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul. She released her debut album, “Exhale,” in 2021 and her sophomore album “Mere Mortals” released in October 2023. She composes original music and intentionally performs the works of Black composers to help ensure that these composers and their compositions are remembered and spotlighted for aspiring young BIPOC musicians and the world as a whole.
Recognition for Caitlin’s versatile career continues to propel her work. In 2024, Caitlin made her European solo debut as part of the Always, already there Incubator for Afrodiasporic New Music, hosted by the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin, Germany. She is a 2023 Advocate for the Arts awardee (Grant Park Music Festival), 2023 Sphinx MPower Artist Grant recipient, a 2022 Esteemed Artist Award recipient from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and a 2021 3Arts/Walder Foundation Awardee. Caitlin was also a recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Gateways Music Festival and is a co-curator with the Fulcrum Point New Music Project and a former fellow with the Chicago Sinfonietta. In addition, she has received Grammy certificates for recordings on Disney’s “The Lion King” with the Re-Collective Orchestra and for albums by John Legend and PJ Morton.
Caitlin is a proud member of D-Composed, Ensemble Dal Niente, and Sphinx Virtuosi. Serving her second term on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208, Caitlin is proud to amplify the voices of and serve the vibrant community of musicians within Chicago.
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
