Sidewalk Cellist (Clara Shandler)

Artist Website

Vancouver’s Sidewalk Cellist, Clara Shandler, captivates audiences with her soulful playing and honest lyrics. Her original compositions span many genres, bringing people of all ages, shapes, and sizes together on memorable musical journeys that touch the heart and sooth the soul. She grew up in the multi-cultural atmosphere of Vancouver, taking cello lessons and studying chamber music throughout her childhood. As a teenager, Clara branched out into rock bands, started busking, and from there made connections leading to a variety of collaborations (dancers, poets, film-makers, theatre productions and more).

She completed a Bachelor of Music Degree from UBC while continuing to work as a musician: teaching, performing, composing, self-producing several albums, presenting seven years of “Free Outdoor Cello Concerts”, and booked herself a handful of solo international tours. She volunteered teaching music in Cambodia, Burma, and Nepal for several years and has served as the President of the East Vancouver Community Music School since 2021 and Concert Manager for West Coast Chamber Music since 2022. Her compositions have been featured in films, commissioned for dance performances and orchestra, and presented by a variety of small ensembles.