A native Torontonian, Esther Gartner studied piano and started the cello in high school. She continued her studies at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Performance with honours. After university, she continued her studies in Lausanne Switzerland under the auspices of a Canada Council grant. While in Lausanne, she was continuo soloist with L'Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de Lausanne under the direction of Michel Corboz, was the cellist in the Quatuor Gerecz, and was also a member of L'Ochestre de Chambre de Lausanne for one season. She returned to Toronto to join the Toronto Symphony Orchestra where she does some teaching and chamber music performances.