Mary Thomson has been a VAM faculty member since 1987. She began her studies in Victoria with James Hunter, then continued Suzuki training with Tanya Carey. Mary has coached chamber music workshops both in Canada and in France, has been an adjudicator for string festivals and has taught at several summer music camps including the Japan/Seattle Suzuki Institute and the Quiring Summer Festival. Mary is co-founder and co-director of ‘campocello’. Campocello is a week long summer camp which provides young cellists the experience of multi-level ensemble playing. Mary’s students are successfully prepared for exams and festivals at regional, provincial and national levels. She has published a cello scale book which fulfills the requirements for RCM cello exams from grade 1 – 10.