About Us
Prairie Sky String Quartet
Prairie Sky String Quartet is one of
the most sought-after Winnipeg, Canada, MB based
ensembles for weddings, corporate
events, and parties. The group
performs both classical music,
as well as original arrangements
of popular contemporary songs,
bringing a level of artistry and
professionalism your guests
are sure to notice!
6
Elation Pauls
Violin
Elation Pauls, known for her lush sound and expressive solo and chamber music performances, has served as Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra since 2009. As Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy and Festival, she enjoys bringing international mentoring and artistry to Winnipeg every August. In spring of 2025, Elation celebrated her debut recording with SUSTENANCE, featuring contemporary works for solo violin and piano, including world premieres by Canadian composers.
Chris Anstey
Violin
Chris Anstey is a native of St. John’s, Newfoundland. He joined the first violin section of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 2005, and after a short stint as Assistant Concertmaster, moved to Principal Second Violin in 2022. Chris is often a featured soloist with the WSO, and has also appeared as soloist with several other ensembles including the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Having a keen interest in traditional music, he is a four-time finalist at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships. He can be heard on albums with Newfoundland folk artists The Ennis Sisters, and with several Winnipeg recording artists including Royal Canoe, Begonia, Cara Luft, Slow Leaves, Glenn Buhr, and the LSQ.
Elise Lavallée
Viola
Elise Lavallée is currently Acting Principal Viola with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and regularly appears throughout the province with a number of chamber music presenters. She has been a radio columnist at Radio-Canada Manitoba, hosted the WSO’s podcast series, The Silence Between, gave music appreciations lectures at L’Université St-Boniface and hosted the WSO’s Pre-concert Talks for many years. Elise founded Les Grands Concerts de la Cathédrale de St-Boniface, Les Café-Concerts d’ Elise and the summer concert series Live at The Drive.
Alyssa Ramsay
Cello
Alyssa Ramsay has performed across Canada as both a chamber musician and orchestral player. Prior to her appointment with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 2019, she performed with several of the country’s leading orchestras, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. A passionate and active chamber musician, Alyssa regularly performs and tours with the Prairie Sky Quartet, Crimson String Quartet, and Indigo Trio.