Anne Bourne is a Toronto-based cellist and composer whose main efforts are geared toward the improvisational/20th century classical world. Although her early musical education was focused on the piano, the cello became her primary performance instrument. In addition to cello and 20th century piano studies, she also studied both South Indian and Ghanaian drumming, as well as free music, in the '80s. In 1994, she began ongoing studies with Pauline Oliveros, eventually leading to certification in the three-year Deep Listening Program. This program uses various methods to focus on attentively listening to and interacting with, not only music and musicians, but all sounds of the environment as a whole.

Active in the Toronto arts community, Bourne has conducted workshops and composed for various film and dance projects, and has also performed and collaborated with leading improvisers like Joe McPhee, Tom Cora, Hans Reichel, and Susie Ibarra. Performing with Pauline Oliveros, Tony Conrad, and David Grubbs, the premiere performance of Oliveros' Primordial Lift was recorded for release on the Table of the Elements label. Another concert, an improvised show with Fred Frith and John Oswald, was also recorded for eventual release.

Bourne's versatility as a cellist, keyboardist, and vocalist has also led to work with many of Canada's popular artists. She has performed and toured numerous times with both Jane Siberry and Loreena McKennitt. In addition to recording with both Siberry and McKennitt, she has appeared on albums by Sloan, Hayden, 13 Engines, the Devlins, Holly Cole, and Meryn Cadell. ~ Sean Westergaard, Rovi