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Ofra Harnoy
- Born
- Jan 31, 1965age 61
- nationality
- Israeli), (Canadian
Biography
About Ofra Harnoy
Caesarian birth, now 61 years old, Ofra Harnoy is an Israeli-Canadian cellist with a slim build and shoulder-length black hair. A Member of the Order of Canada, she made history when she signed with RCA Victor Red Seal, becoming the first Canadian classical instrumental soloist since Glenn Gould to secure an exclusive worldwide contract with a major label. She has won five Juno Awards.
Born in Hadera, Israel, she moved to Toronto with her family in 1971. Her father Jacob gave her first cello lessons at age six. Later teachers included Vladimir Orloff, William Pleeth, Pierre Fournier, Jacqueline du Pré, and Mstislav Rostropovich. In the 1990s, she was part of a minor classical music controversy over using more alluring album covers. Her Instagram following stands at 74 thousand.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Birthplace
- Hadera, Israel
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Sexuality
- Straight
Extra
- Instagram Followers
- 74k (as of March 2026)
Frequently asked
Her early cello training was with her father; who were her later teachers?
She studied with Vladimir Orloff, William Pleeth, Pierre Fournier, Jacqueline du Pré, and Mstislav Rostropovich.
What historical milestone did she achieve with her record deal?
She was the first Canadian classical instrumental soloist since Glenn Gould to get an exclusive worldwide contract with a major label (RCA Victor Red Seal).
Aside from her musical career, what was she known for in the 1990s?
She was part of a minor controversy along with violinist Lara St. John for using more sexualized images on classical album covers to boost sales.
Did you know
- Ofra Harnoy was born in Hadera, Israel, and moved to Toronto in 1971.
- She was six when her father Jacob Harnoy began teaching her the cello.
- She was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, a high national honor.
- Her album cover choices in the 1990s sparked a debate about sexism in classical music marketing.
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