Sophie Armstrong is on a mission: to inspire the human spirit, one note and one journey at a time. With over two decades as a professional and award-winning violinist, she embodies a unique blend of artistry, advocacy and authenticity that resonates with audiences far beyond the concert hall. As we delve into her life, it becomes clear that Sophie’s journey is as captivating as the music she creates.
Born in Greenwich, a suburb of North London, England, and later moving to Australia, Sophie’s roots run deep in a family of creatives. Her mother, a gifted pianist, and her father, who transitioned from music to architecture, cultivated an environment brimming with artistic expression.
“Most of my family members are professionals – lawyers, musicians and architects. My husband comes from a medical family, and they think we’re all a bit eccentric. They’re not wrong,” she laughs, embodying the warm spirit that makes her so relatable.
While today, Kelowna-based Sophie still tours and teaches music, it wasn’t always her chosen path.
“Like many kids with ADHD and neurodivergence – something I only discovered I had later in life – I was very defiant,” she recalls.
However, the moment she laid eyes on the violin during one of her mother’s rehearsals, she was hooked.
“I thought it looked pretty cool,” she smiles. And that’s how, at just three years old, her journey began.
Sophie’s early experiences with music were somewhat tumultuous.
“There was a time when I completely hated it,” she confesses. The pressures of performance and coming from a perfectionist family, coupled with sensory overload from stage lights and sounds, made it difficult for her. “Back then, there was no one to guide me on how to handle these challenges. People would just tell you something was wrong with you.”
“Life is a beautiful, chaotic symphony.”
Her struggles intensified during a heartbreaking period in her teenage years when she lost someone close to her, leading her to leave home and explore alternative paths, including rock bands and self-destructive behaviours. However, amid the chaos, the sweet song of the violin called her back.
“I realized I loved playing the violin and went back to university to earn my music degree,” she says.
Sophie openly shares her experiences with neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, shedding light on the misconceptions surrounding these diagnoses. She recalls moments of frustration, like when a violin teacher once tied her to a pole to keep her still during lessons.
“I was born in 1980, during a time when it was more acceptable to discipline kids like that,” she notes, her tone mixing humour with a hint of disbelief. “But now, what I once got in trouble for – constantly moving and playing – has turned into a successful career for me.”
Sophie’s artistic journey took a vibrant turn when she began experimenting with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean sounds, inspired by her collaborations with extraordinary musicians. During a visit to the Istanbul University State Conservatory – a music, theatre and dance university – she was introduced to different cultural perspectives on music.
“The pianist said to me, ‘Do you like Brahms?’ I said, ‘yes,’ and the pianist said, ‘Brahms is like music in black and white. Instead, we see music in a full rainbow because there are tones and semitones with notes in between.’ That resonated with me.”
Sophie reflects on how these insights helped her carve her unique path, merging traditional classical music with her eclectic influences.
“When you truly resonate with what you’re doing, the audience resonates with you too. It’s no longer about perfection; it’s about the story,” she explains.
Sophie’s life has not been without its challenges. After moving to Canada from Australia for love, she faced extreme heartbreak, then a serious car accident and numerous surgeries. Yet, her resilience shines through and her desire to express herself and share her unique narrative takes precedence over flawless execution.
In 2014, she married Canadian Dionysius David, and together they have three children, all of whom share her neurodivergence to some extent.
“Life is a beautiful, chaotic symphony,” she muses, embracing her role as a mother of three.
Despite the obstacles that life has thrown at her, Sophie maintains her passion for teaching and inspiring others. Intertwined in that is a passion for storytelling which can be seen in her children’s book, The Music Thief, which was inspired by her 2009 touring show called Gold Violin. Designed to captivate both young audiences and the young at heart, her book tells the tale of a girl named Faith who refuses to give up her love of music, despite facing massive obstacles. Collaborating with the talented British artist Pearl Bates, whose work has caught the eye of people like actor John Cleese, Sophie aimed to create a vibrant narrative that resonates with children’s imaginations.
However, her number one passion remains in live performance. As she prepares for a new show titled Heartstrings: A Love Story, set to debut on Valentine’s Day in 2025 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna, Sophie embodies a sense of renewed energy.
“It features a beautiful collection of classic repertoires, Hollywood classics, my original music and even some Disney classics,” she reveals. “At this point in my life, I feel ready to take this on.”
Through her music and advocacy (she is the founder of Every Woman Foundation, a non-profit organization that operated from 2008 to 2018 and sought to empower and celebrate women using an inclusive approach that encourages participation), Sophie is not only reclaiming her narrative but also inspiring countless others to embrace their unique stories and walk their own paths, unbound by societal expectations.
As our conversation draws to a close, it becomes clear that Sophie’s journey is a beautiful symphony of resilience, passion and unwavering spirit – a testament to the transformative power of music and the importance of living authentically.