Karin Gaertner was principal violist of the former Cape Town Symphony Orchestra and studied viola in Cape Town and Salzburg as well as participating in masterclasses in France and Belgium. She holds a B.Sc. from UCT and a viola performance diploma from the conservatoire “Claudio Monteverdi” (Italy). She is currently a regular member of the the “Palm Strings” quartet, “Amici” string quartet and “Camerata Tinta Barocca”.