Ofra Harnoy

Ofra Harnoy was born in 1965 in Hadera

Ofra Harnoy was born in Hadera in 1965. In 1971 she moved with her family to Toronto. She began cello lessons with her father, Jacob Harnoy.

Her teachers included Vladimir Orloff, William Pleeth, Pierre Fournier, Jacqueline du Pré and Mstislav Rostropovich.

She made her professional debut as a soloist with an orchestra at age 10. In 1982 she gave her solo-orchestral and recital debuts at Carnegie Hall. She performed and recorded the world premiere of the Offenbach cello concerto and the North American premiere of the Bliss cello concerto.

In 1987 she signed with RCA Victor Red Seal, becoming the first Canadian classical instrumental soloist since Glenn Gould with an exclusive worldwide contract at a major label. She has played with Plácido Domingo, Sting and Loreena McKennitt. She released Back to Bach in 2019 and an album of Elgar and Lalo cello concertos in 2023.

She is married to the trumpeter, producer and composer Mike Herriott.