The Nationwide Youth Orchestra of Canada is a coaching floor for younger musicians, and that’s not simply hyperbole. It’s estimated that about 30 p.c of the musicians in Canada’s skilled orchestras are NYOC alumni.
This yr would be the last season with Naomi Woo as Music Director, and she or he’ll be taking the orchestra on a tour of Ontario and BC that kicks off in Toronto’s Koerner Corridor on July 18. There, this system consists of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with Michael Measures prize winner Justin Saulnier as soloist, and the world premiere of Throughout the Vaulted Evening by Nicholas Denton Protsack, the just lately introduced Rising Composer in Residence.
Right here’s a quick introduction to the younger Toronto and space musicians who might be performing with NYO Canada this summer season.
Toronto & Space NYOC Musicians 2025
Manuel Galvez, Viola
A bit about your background in music…
I began taking part in the violin at a younger age and studied at Etobicoke Suzuki Music. Though I used to be primarily a violinist, I started taking part in viola on the facet and ultimately made the change throughout college. I fell in love with the heat of the viola’s sound and the soulful character of its repertoire. I’m now finding out at Wilfrid Laurier College, pursuing an expert profession as a violist.
What are you doing to arrange for the summer season tour?
I’m holding myself in form by attending applications like Musicfest and Quartetfest, which assist me keep performance-ready and targeted. Whereas working towards my repertoire, I’m additionally going again to the fundamentals to strengthen my basis as a participant. That approach, I can come into the summer season feeling extra ready, assured, and able to contribute at a constant stage.
What do you hope to get out of the expertise?
I wish to enhance each my orchestral and chamber taking part in. Working alongside different gifted musicians and future colleagues is not going to solely assist me construct significant skilled connections, but in addition push me out of my consolation zone and problem me to develop to new heights as a performer.
Ethan Jeon, Cello
A bit about your background in music…
I started finding out music at an early age as a option to fulfill my curiosity and love of studying. I used to be shortly drawn to the cello for its wealthy tone and big selection of expression, and it’s turn into a central a part of my life ever since. Over time, I’ve been lucky to be deeply concerned within the Taylor Academy at The Royal Conservatory of Music, the place I’ve developed my taking part in expertise beneath distinctive mentors. Moreover, taking part in within the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra has supplied me with invaluable expertise taking part in in massive ensembles and collaborating with different like-minded musicians. Past my musical development, I’ve additionally devoted myself to reaching out to the broader group, utilizing music to attach with and encourage others by means of numerous performances and outreach initiatives.
What are you doing to arrange for the summer season tour?
I’m at the moment perusing this yr’s chamber and orchestral repertoire to get a strong grounding earlier than rehearsals begin in mid-June. I’m additionally excited about what I’ll convey to my dorm and planning enjoyable actions to share with fellow musicians throughout our downtime. Moreover, I’m getting ready for the subsequent chapter of my educational journey, as I’ll be heading to Princeton College to check physics and music. Balancing my summer season tour with preparations for subsequent yr is a problem, however one which I’m genuinely enthusiastic about.
What do you hope to get out of the expertise?
I’m actually wanting ahead to performing in a combined ensemble for the primary time, particularly with Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, a chunk that’s each fascinating and exquisite. It is not going to solely enable me to develop musically, but in addition proceed to discover how musicians work together and join in a chamber setting. I’m excited to see how our totally different musical backgrounds and views come collectively, and I’m desperate to be taught from everybody whereas discovering my very own place within the group’s sound.
Yi-Hsuan Lo, Percussion
A bit about your background in music…
That’s the factor I’m keen to spend my time and power on it and wish to make it higher.
What are you doing to arrange for the summer season tour?
In fact, musicians put together music. Furthermore, I feel that getting ready our mindset to be open-minded, welcoming each problem, and benefit from the music is necessary as effectively.
What do you hope to get out of the expertise?
I might say, each half. I do consider we can have a distinct expertise in every session.
Fay Wang, Cello
A bit about your background in music…
Rising up in a standard family, the humanities by no means appeared like a potential profession choice. I selected to check music as a result of it’s the place I really feel most alive, understood, and capable of make a distinction. I began taking part in cello at ten, however it grew to become one thing deeper once I realized how music may communicate when phrases couldn’t.
What do you hope to get out of the expertise?
I’m wanting ahead to the moments in between: late-night apply room chats, sharing tales from throughout the nation, and creating friendships that final lengthy after the ultimate live performance. There’s one thing actually highly effective about coming collectively for the sake of music, and I can’t wait to be a part of that power once more.
The next statements got as a part of the NYOC onboarding course of.
Joshua Lin, Violin
Why Music?
As a result of I adore it!
What are you wanting ahead to at NYO?
Touring in BC.
Tina Sievers, Violin
Why Music?
After I was born, my two older sisters had already began studying the violin and I naturally needed to affix in. Taking part in music collectively grew to become a enjoyable exercise for us and impressed us to proceed to develop in our expertise. At present, my two older sisters are finding out music efficiency at college and I plan to do the identical after I graduate from highschool.
What are you wanting ahead to at NYO?
I’m wanting ahead to creating new buddies with gifted musicians who share my ardour for music and the expertise of rehearsing and performing collectively (when a bunch as gifted as this comes collectively and performs collectively, it’s loads of enjoyable!). I’m additionally wanting ahead to taking part in the wonderful repertoire that might be showcased in our concert events and receiving steering from the school that may assist me enhance my technical taking part in and efficiency collaboration expertise.
Marlon Tong, Viola
Why Music?
It was my strongest topic in highschool and I’ve had a few years taking part in a number of devices earlier than that.
Why NYO?
It offers me an opportunity to tour Canada whereas performing music.
Emma Tian, Cello
Why Music?
My sister who’s ten years older than me used to play piano and saxophone in highschool, so rising up, I used to be all the time uncovered to music. I began with taking part in the piano as effectively however later discovered about string devices, and ended up selecting the cello.
What are you wanting ahead to at NYO?
I’m wanting ahead to taking part in Mahler and assembly new folks!
Hannah Wang, Flute
Why Music?
Each my dad and mom work workplace jobs, and since I used to be little I instructed them that I by no means needed to work an workplace job. After I picked up the flute in seventh grade, I all the time thought taking part in was enjoyable. I needed to turn into a music instructor and unfold my love for music. But it surely wasn’t till throughout COVID in highschool the place I wasn’t capable of play with ensembles that I noticed how a lot I liked taking part in. It had turn into an integral a part of myself that I couldn’t lose. I examine it as a result of the concept that my profession may actually simply be waking up and taking part in music is just too good to not strive for.
What are you wanting ahead to at NYO?
Tour! And studying heaps from college and making new buddies.
Andrew Mendis, Trumpet
Why music?
I felt that I might all the time be lacking out on one thing if I didn’t examine music previous highschool and try to forge a profession. I additionally was surrounded by different UofT college students once I was in highschool as a member of the Hannaford Youth band and Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. This gave me nice perception and encouragement to proceed additional research in music and pursue a profession as a musician.
What are you wanting ahead to at NYO?
I’m most wanting ahead to working in chamber teams and attending to know my colleagues and work with them extra intimately. On prime of this, the tour is thrilling as I’ve a ardour for performing in addition to travelling, so it’s one of the best of each worlds.
Elias Doyle, Trumpet
Why Music?
As a result of it’s what I wish to do most and I don’t see myself doing the rest aside from music.
What are you wanting ahead to at NYO?
I’m positively very excited for the chamber music portion of the summer season this yr! But in addition touring out West!
Umberto Quattrociocchi, Tuba
Why Music?
I selected to check music as a result of it’s the medium by means of which I get pleasure from expressing myself probably the most. I get pleasure from performing and taking part in music greater than I might every other occupation, and I may solely see myself doing this as a profession.
What are you wanting ahead to at NYO?
I’m most wanting ahead to the orchestra rehearsals this summer season at NYO. I’m particularly excited to work with Naomi Woo and an amazing low brass part on some inspiring and enjoyable repertoire.
- Discover out extra in regards to the sixty fifth anniversary season tour [HERE].
Are you seeking to promote an occasion? Have a information tip? Must know one of the best occasions occurring this weekend? Ship us a notice.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the each day arts information straight to your inbox.
Join the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — native classical music and opera information straight to your inbox HERE.
Anya Wassenberg is the Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. Beforehand, she was a contract author with a specialty in tradition and journey for 3 many years, and a artistic writing teacher for Ontariolearn.
