Born and raised in England, violinist Sally Gardner-Wilson has lived and worked in the US since 1995. She started playing the violin at age 6, and went on to also learn the piano and viola, winning music scholarships to both of the schools she attended. Sally won a place in the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London at age 13 and spent the next 5 years studying with Ruth Hahn. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance in 1995 from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Jack Glickman. During this time she participated in various music festivals, such as the St. Endellion Music Festival, the Britten-Pears Orchestra and Aldeburgh Festival, and she toured extensively in Europe with various orchestras and chamber groups.

Participating in the Banff Summer Music Program led her to move to the United States in 1995 to continue her studies, gaining a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, studying with Sherban Lupu. After graduating in 1997, Sally moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she began working as a professional freelance violinist and continues to do so to this day.

Sally is the Associate Concertmaster of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, the Concertmaster of the Pullman Pops Orchestra, and also plays regularly in the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and the John’s Creek Symphony Orchestra. She was the Associate Concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and has also played with the the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Sally is an active freelancer and teacher in the Atlanta area, and keeps very busy playing with various orchestras and chamber groups. She loves the variety of playing opportunities she experiences as a freelancer. She has played alongside many renowned classical musicians such as Yo Yo Ma, Gil Shaham and Mischa Maisky, as well as rock and pop greats like Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, The Who and The Eagles, to name just a few. Sally has held teaching positions at Spelman College, Agnes Scott College, The Lovett School and Holy Innocents Episcopal School. She is currently the violin and viola teacher at Athens Academy and also maintains a vibrant violin and viola studio in her home.