Jeanine Thorpe Townsend is a violinist who is happiest when making music with other people. As first violinist of the Idun Quartet, she enjoys the shared creativity and friendship of chamber music alongside an active career as an orchestral leader, chamber musician, and soloist.

She has appeared as leader and co-leader with many orchestras across Europe, including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Munich Radio Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Ireland, and the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, amongst others. As leader, she recently recorded a CD of works by Finzi and Copland  with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, due for release by Pentatone in 2027. 

Jeanine is currently recording a series of works written especially for her by her husband, composer and arranger Dan Townsend. Inspired by some of her favourite musicals, including Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, these pieces reimagine beloved theatre scores as concert works for violin and piano, reflecting her belief that great music can be both purposeful and joyful.

Whether performing with her quartet, leading an orchestra, or bringing new music to life, Jeanine is drawn to projects that spark joy, encourage connection, and remind audiences why they fell in love with music in the first place.