Canadian Juno Award winner Amanda Forsyth was born in South Africa and came to Canada as a child. Beginning her musical education at the age of three, she later became a protege of William Pleeth in London. Further studies were with Harvey Shapiro at the Juilliard School and with Lynn Harrell in Los Angeles. By the age of 24, she had performed two seasons with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and was appointed principal cellist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra by conductor Mario Bernadi. In 1999, she was appointed principal cello with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.

Ms. Forsyth is a strong advocate of new music and is active as a recitalist, soloist and chamber musician. She performs frequently for CBC radio national broadcast and has appeared with many leading orchestras in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Ms. Forsyth is currently on the Faculty of Music at the University of Ottawa and frequently teaches master classes throughout Canada.