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Members of the KSO

Strings

Concertmaster

Alexander Gangurean

Principal Violinist

Ivan Samozvantsev

Violin

Anna Tsapenko
Olena Ponpon
Olga Petrashkevich  

Carlos Vasquez 

Frank Song
Erin Leung
Min-Hi Choi
Regina Kim
Grace Tao
Faustyna Ho
Michael Li
Vacant


Jonás Joya
Selena Zhang

Tiffany Feng
Michelle Wang
Elton Fung
Theodora Chung
Sanaz Lordfard
Ivanna Chen
Sumyee Wong
Livia Zhang
Diana Han

Principal Viola

Jenny Song

Viola

Irina Perevedentsieva
Fanny Tang
Samir Ahmadi
Abigail Soho Lee
Caden Lam
Parisa Abbaszadeh
Vacant

Principal Cello

Lusine Navoyan

Cello

David Kwan
Faina Sosedova

Enya Shi
Sohrab Malekzadeh

Yi-Nung Su

Principal Contrabass
David Gustilov
Contrabass

Myroslav Bileychuk
Vacant

Piano, Harp, and Percussion

Principal Harp

Jacqueline Goring

Harp

Bernice Li

Principal Timpanist

Bruce Reid

Principal Piano

Antonia De Wolfe

Principal Percussion

Paul Mouradian

Percussion

Thomas Li
James Price
Jeffrey Zhu
Scott McBride
Gordon Fry
Monse Saborio

Woodwinds

Principal Flute

Rodney Gray

Associate Principal Flute

Joanna Glavin

Flute/Piccolo

Kenneth Sin

Principal Oboe

Jae Won Lee

Associate Principal Oboe

Chelyn Yoo

English Horn

Eric Chow

Principal Clarinet

Carmen Gassi

Associate Principal Clarinet

Leonard Corsini

E-flat Clarinet

Michelle Jin

Bass Clarinet

Ken Fudurich

Principal Bassoon

Rostislav Tikhov

Associate Principal Bassoon

Daniel Leibovitch

Contrabassoon

Graham Martin

Saxophone

Benjamin Liu

Brass

Principal Horn

Gilles Thibodeau

Associate Principal Horn

Rebecca Whiteside

Horn

Darryl Dinniwell
Joel Eric Szabo

Principal Trumpet

Jonas Feldman

Associate Principal Trumpet

Mylz Powell

Trumpet

Cassandra Paiva

Principal Trombone

Paul Tarussov

Associate Principal Trombone

Vacant

Bass Trombone

Aaron Chan

Principal Tuba

Christina Caccavella

Alexander Gangurean

Concertmaster

Alexander Gangurean

Emerging from a musical family, Alexander Gangurean graduated from the State University of Music in Moldova, where he was taught by the leading professors from acclaimed Odessa’s Stolyarski School and world-wide known Moscow State Conservatoire. Alexander joined the National Opera Theatre of Moldova where he worked for 7 years touring in Italy, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, United Kingdom and Ireland. During this period Alexander was also a guest musician of the National Symphony orchestra and the founder of quartet “Ad Libitum”, which performed nationally as well as in Italy and Cyprus. From early 2000 he joined one of the leading Touring Opera Companies in the UK where he worked until he moved to Toronto. Alexander is known as a member of many orchestras across GTA and is also an active violin teacher. In Toronto, he was a Concertmaster for productions of Puccini’s La Boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly; Verdi’s Il Trovattore, Aida, La Traviata, Nabucco; Bizet’s Carmen, Tchaikovski’s Eugene Onegin, Iolanta as well as in numerous symphonic programs.

Ivan Samozvantsev

Principal Violin

Ivan Samozvantsev has earned degrees in violin and viola performances from the Altai State Music College and Philharmonic Orchestra and from the Novosibirsk State Music Academy. He worked for over 25 years with the Danube Symphony Orchestra and the Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra in Hungary while touring the globe from US to Indonesia, Europe, China, and Japan. He gained international acclaim as a member of an acoustic duet with singer-songwriter Igor Hellman, featured in popular TV and radio shows and performing in hundreds of concerts in the USSR, Japn, and Hungary. He also played in orchestral and musical theatre productions, chamber ensembles and string quartets while traveling internationally with the London City Opera, the Symphonia Vienna Orchestra, the Szolnok Symphonic, and the Âge tendre, la tournée des idoles. Ivan played in orchestras for recordings of several theatre productions, music videos, and films, including Sunshine with Ralph Fiennes, and The Man with the Iron Heart with Jason Clarke and Rosamund Pike. Currently, Ivan is a Principal Violinist with the Summerhill Orchestra and tutti violinist with the Ontario Philharmonic. Dedicated pedagogue, Ivan also maintains a busy private music studio where he teaches violin, viola and guitar.

Olga Petrashkevich

Violinist

Olga Petrashkevich was born in Belarus in a musical family. She started her musical education at the age of 6 learning violin and piano. From the age of 11 Olga worked in the children’s studio of the National Opera Theater of Belarus. After studying in Minsk Glinka’s Musical College and National University Academy of Music Olga continued her education in the Royal Conservatory in Gent, Belgium, where she earned the Master Degree. During her studying Olga had performed in Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Austria with different chamber ensembles and orchestras. After moving to Canada Olga continued her professional career as a teacher and performer. At the present Olga is a member of different orchestras and projects such as Casa Loma Symphony Orchestra, Scarborough Philharmonic and Rubato Quartet.

Erin Leung

Erin graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours Bachelor in Music, where she also performed with the Vera Causa Opera and participated in the university’s annual Concerto Competition. After earning a Level 8 Certificate in violin performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada, she received a scholarship to attend Northern Academy of the Arts in New York where she acted as concertmaster and a principal violinist. She has also competed at the Kiwanis Music Festival, earning numerous gold awards. Aside from the violin, Erin also plays the clarinet and is currently working towards her Charted Insurance Professional designation. 

Sanaz Lordfard

Violinist

Sanaz Lordfard picked up the violin at the age of 5, studying at the Royal Conservatory of Music. At the age of 12, she joined the Phil and Eli Taylor Academy, an intensive music program for gifted young musicians. Alongside orchestra and chamber groups, Sanaz has played at Koerner hall, Mazzoleni hall, and the Four Seasons Centre. She is a recipient of an RCM gold medal, and has won awards at numerous regional and provincial competitions. During her time at university, she played with the London Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Western University Symphony Orchestra. What she enjoys most is playing music for individuals experiencing homelessness and residents in elderly homes. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science and is now a medical student at the University of Toronto.

Elton Fung

Violinist

Born and raised in the USA, Elton Fung began his musical journey with playing the piano at the age of 6 and later playing the violin at the age of 11. He played with the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, with Kennesaw State University’s Symphony Orchestra and with the Orchestra Toronto. Outside of music, he works as an investigator and enjoys spending time with his two cats.

Carlos Vasquez

Violinist

Originally from Venezuela, Carlos Vasquez began his musical studies on violin at the age of 10, and later on clarinet under “El Sistema” the world-renowned program of musical immersive training started in 1975 by José Antonio Abreu. Carlos actively participates in the musical community within Toronto, performing on both clarinet and violin with many orchestras in the GTA including Kindred Spirits Orchestra, Orchestra Toronto, Counterpoint Community Orchestra, Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra, North York Concert Orchestra, Oakville Symphony, among others. Outside of music, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Construction Management Post Graduate Diploma.

Olena Ponpon

Violinist

Olena Ponpon, originally from Ukraine, started playing the violin at 3 and a half. She was the concertmaster of an orchestra in Donetsk while studying at the Musical Academy. Olena gained experience in Italy playing opera and chamber music before leading a string quartet in the USA. She then spent 9 years in Singapore as Vice Principal of a Music and Arts school, where she founded a youth orchestra. Notably, she became the first concertmaster of an all-female symphony orchestra in the Middle East in Dubai under the guidance of Mr. AR Rahman, an Oscar-winning composer. Olena has received several awards for her musical achievements. Currently based in Toronto, Olena continues to dedicate herself to perfecting her musical craft with great enthusiasm and passion.

Anna Tsapenko

Violinist

Anna Tsapenko has earned a Bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the Odessa National Music Academy. As an orchestral artist and soloist, Anna has performed with a distinguished array of soloists, such as Hans Zimmer, Rusanda Panfili, Teodora Miteeva, Tina Guo, Pedro Eustache , Juan GarcíaHerreros, Alban Gerhardt, Tassilo Probst, Max Zorin, Stanislav Pronin, Oleg Krysa, Andrey Murza, Vincent Bals, and Alexander Povolotsky.  Her collaborations with international conductors, including Gavin Greenaway, Wilhelm Keitel, Johannes Wildner, Luiggi Gaggero, I. Shavruk, V. Moldovanov etc, showcased her versatility and exceptional skill. Her orchestral engagements have taken her to renowned concert halls in Germany, including Gewandhaus Leipzig, Philharmonie Essen, Düsseldorf Tonhalle, and Kurhaus Wiesbaden, as well as the iconic Arena di Verona in Italy. Anna has been working as an artist with “BNK Music Production” GmbH, Semmel Concerts Productions , and Odessa orchestra & Friends. Her professional journey includes notable positions in esteemed institutions such as the Orchestra of the Odessa Academic Theater of Musical Comedy, the Odessa Academic Music and Drama Theater,  and the Odessa Municipal Theater of Wind Music. Anna’s involvement in prestigious orchestra projects highlights her versatility and dedication. She has been an integral part of “Hans Zimmer LIVE”, “The World of Hans Zimmer”, “Disney in Concert”, the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra, “FilmTour” of Highlight concerts GmbH, “Disney in Concert 100”, and the Junges Philharmonisches Orchester München.

 

Min-Hi Choi

Violinist

Min-Hi Choi began studying the violin privately with Peter Wong at the age of 8, drawn to the instrument’s beauty and versatility. Classically trained, Min-Hi quickly advanced in her studies, performing in recitals as well as in orchestras such as the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and Mississauga Youth Orchestra, various chamber groups, quartets, and many community musicals over the years. In 2002, Min-Hi expanded her musical horizons by crewing on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an environmental educational vessel started by folk singer and activist legend, Pete Seeger. She immersed herself in the rich tradition of folk music that was ever present there, adding fiddle music to her repertoire, and from this inspiring experience, Min-Hi deepened her versatility, which allowed her to continue to develop her proficiency in a wide array of musical genres. In 2013, Min-Hi furthered her musical journey by becoming a full-time, solo professional events violinist.

Jonás Joya

Violinist

Jonás Joya has earned a master degree and a bachelor degree in orchestral conducting. He has taught music for more than 18 years as an orchestra conductor, violin, viola, cello, and double bass teacher, as well as music theory. Mr. Joya has played violin in various orchestras both in his country of origin Venezuela and here in Canada. 

Jenny Song

Principal Viola

Jenny began studying the violin at age five, and the viola in her early teens. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree  in viola performance in South Korea, she played with several major orchestras in Korea, including the Seoul, Daejeon and Jeju Philharmonic Orchestras. Jenny is the winner of prizes and awards at major music festivals and competitions in Korea. In 2021, she moved to Toronto, where she received additional formal training. She worked as a principal violist with the Korean-Canadian Symphony Orchestra and and teaches violin and viola in Toronto.

Iryna Perevedentsieva

Viola

Iryna Perevedentsieva is a distinguished musician and educator with a rich background in orchestral performance and music instruction. She began her professional musical education at Mariupol Music College, where she completed a Junior Specialist in Musical Art Diploma with honors in 2002. This foundation set the stage for further studies at Berdyansk State Pedagogical University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Specialist Diploma in Pedagogy and Methods of Secondary Education, Music between 2004 and 2007. Iryna’s career in music is marked by a blend of orchestral performance and teaching. She have served as an Artist of the Orchestra with the Mariupol Music College. Following this, she contributed her talents as a private violin tutor in Mariupol, while also holding the position of Violin Teacher and Head of the Orchestral Instruments Department at Mariupol Specialized Music School from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, she became a Private Tutor for violin and piano lessons in Mariupol and continued this role upon relocating to Toronto in 2022. Her contributions extend to the orchestral community in Toronto as well, where she performed as an Artist of the Orchestra with The Philadelphia Sinfonietta and Kindred Spirits Orchestra in 2023. Concurrently, she shared her expertise as a Music Teacher at Domik, Pochemuchka and Yes School.

Parisa Abbaszadeh

Viola

Parisa Abbaszadeh has earned a degree in music and performing arts from the University of Tehran and has been playing viola and violin for nearly 20 years. She has performed with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Tehran Inter-Orchestra under the direction of Nader Mashayekhi. Parisa has performed at the Tehran International Contemporary Music Festival and the Independent Annual Celebration for Animation Cinema of Iran. In addition to performing, she is also teaching viola and violin in her private music studio.

Lusine Navoyan

Principal Cello

Lusine Navoyan studied cello with Armen Mesropyan at the Tchaikovsky Music School in Yerevan.  From 2001 to2006 she studied cello with Aram Talalyan at the Komitas State Conservatory, where she graduated with honours.  From 2006 to 2008 she completed postgraduate studies in cello performance. In 2009 and 2010, Ms Navoyan studied with Maria Egelholf and with Vagram Sarajyan. She has performed with the “Baroque” chamber orchestra, the “Naregatsi” chamber orchestra, “Alan Hovhaness” chamber orchestra, “Tagaran” state ensemble for ancient music. Ms. Navoyan has been a visiting musician at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre orchestra in Yerevan.

David Kwan

Associate Principal Cello

David Kwan has a life long love for music and cello from an early age.  With help,  encouragement, and inspiration of teachers like Douglas Couke, Anthony Elliot, William Findlay, and Sybil Shanahan,  a new world has  opened the doors to appreciation for great artists and composers and provided opportunities for making music with talented individuals from all walks of life.

Yi-Nung Su

Cello

Yi-Nung Su has earned a Master degree in cello performance from the University of Toronto. She studies cello with Dr. Paul Widner and was an Assistant Principal Cellist of the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Prior to her studies at the University of Toronto, Yi-Nung studied with Ya-Wen Hsueh, Sarah Ghandour and Joseph Johnson and played in the Stony Brook University Orchestra and toured around Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan with the Asian Youth Orchestra. Yi-Nung was the winner of First Place in the 2022 Undergraduate Concerto Competition at Stony Brook University.

Enya Shi

Cello

Enya Shi holds dual Master’s degrees in Cello Performance from prestigious institutions in China and Canada. Recognized as an “Outstanding Artist” by the Ontario Provincial Government, she has also been nominated for the “Mandarin Profile Artist Award.” Formerly a lecturer at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Ms. Shi has an extensive career as a soloist and chamber musician with various Canadian orchestras. She has received mentorship from esteemed cellists, including Yo-Yo Ma and Mischa Maisky.

Faina Sosedova

Cello

Graduated from the State Conservatory of Tashkent (Uzbekistan), where she studied with Professor F. Sultanov and as well as Professor S. Kalianov, the Moscow State Conservatory. Her musical career started at the age of thirteen when she was awarded the top prize at the Inter Republic Cello Competition. During her studies, Faina had numerous performances as a soloist on National Radio and Television. And, still as a student, was appointed to the position of an Assistant Professor of the String Quartet Class.  Since her arrival in Canada, she became an active performer and participated in numerous concerts and music festivals such as the Muskoka Lake Music Festival, the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival and the Stratford Festival.  In addition to solo and ensemble performances, Ms. Sosedova “… is an excellent professional musician, talented and dedicated music instructor, interesting and profound person,” by Mrs. Kim Barwise.  She has been a member of the faculty at the International School for Musical Arts, St.Catharines, the concert coordinator of the Niagara International Music Festival, Canada, and a member of the faculty of the Inter Harmony Festival in Holland and Italy. Mrs. Sosedova is currently a member of the Faculty of the Music Conservatory at Branksome Hall School, and teaches privately. Most of her students are winners at various music competitions and festivals.

Sohrab Malekzadeh

Cello

Sohrab Malekzadeh started music at the age of 11 learning classical Guitar and when he was 19 he continued his studies of the Cello as his main instrument. After earning a degree in cello performance from the University of Tehran, he went to Belgium to continue his education at the Royal conservatory of Gent. In 2023, he earned a master degree in cello performance from the University of Toronto. Sohrab was a member of the cello section in the Symphony orchestra of Tehran and has participated in several international festivals around the world. He has recorded a range of new works from various international composers either as a soloist or as a chamber musician. He is the founder and cellist at the “Cello Octet Tehran”. As an educator, he hold a position of a cello instructor in Sistema Toronto and at the Community music school of Toronto.

David Gustilov​​

Principal Contrabass​

David Gustilov earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Regina in Saskatchewan studying with Steven Mc Lelland. He then attended Indiana University to earn a Masters of Performance with Bruce Bransby, as well as an Artist Diploma from Cincinnati College Conservatory with Albert Laszlo. He attended many summer music camps including Congress of Strings, The Aspen Music Festival, Le Domaine Forget Academy, and Centre díArts Orford. David performed with the Regina Symphony Orchestra for ten years, as well as several seasons with Opera Saskatchewan. Upon moving to Toronto, David has performed as Principal Bass with Korean Canadian Symphony Orchestra, the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, Masterworks of Oakville, and Opera Bel Canto of York. David and his wife enjoy their summers kayaking, swimming, hiking, and working on building projects.

Myroslav Bileychuk

Contrabass

For over 25 years, Myroslav Bileychuk has performed as a double bass player with various orchestras around the Greater Toronto Area. He started his musical education at age 10 learning cello and piano and pick up the double bass at the age of 15, studying at  Ivano-Frankivsk Musical College. Myroslav graduated from the Pedagogical Institute and Lviv State Conservatory while performing with numerous chamber ensembles and orchestras in Ukraine. Currently, Myroslav is a registered teacher with the TCDSB.

Rodney Gray​

Principal Flute

Rodney Gray

Rodney Gray has served as Principal Flute in the KSO since 2013.  He received a Bachelor of Music and a Masters of Music degree in performance flute from the University of Western Ontario.  He supplemented his learning at the Banff School of Fine Arts, and during several months studying in Paris France with Pierre-Yves Artaud.  Rodney attributes his main learning experience to a two year period of study in the international master class of renowned British flutist Geoffrey Gilbert, former teacher of William Bennett, Trevor Wye, James Galway, and Susan Milan.  Rodney has performed with Orchestra London, London Concert Players Orchestra, Vancouver Island Symphony, and Cambridge Symphony, and has appeared as a recitalist across Canada.  Constantly in demand as a flutist, Rodney performs as the Principal Flutist with the Southern Ontario Lyric Opera orchestra, and is a regular member in the orchestras for the Brampton Musical Theatre, East West Orchestra, and other Toronto based performing groups.  He is an avid supporter of physical fitness and enjoys running and cycling.  Rodney is a frequent performer in the KSO pre-concert recitals and lectures.  He plays an Altus model 1607 flute with a Yamaha head joint.

Joanna Glavin

Associate Principal Flute

Joanna has been playing flute for over 17 years, starting with private flute lessons at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. Throughout her school years, she enjoyed music classes, lessons, and performances through her high school concert band and orchestra, and she completed the RCM Level 8 Flute exam. Joanna graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honors Degree in Bio-Medical Science, and she has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. She played flute with the University of Guelph Concert Winds Ensemble, and she enjoyed her time as a musician, playing music for residents at a retirement community in Guelph. Joanna is a high school science and biology teacher in Newmarket, and in her free time, she enjoys painting, nature photography, hiking, and cycling.

Kenneth Sin

Piccolo

Kenneth Sin is an experienced orchestral player, chamber musician and teacher from Hong Kong. He has appeared in various orchestra, including Amadeus Summer Orchestra, Welsh Chamber Chorus and Orchestra, New Hong Kong Philharmonia, Viva Chamber Orchestra, the Inheritage Philharmonic, the Ontario Cross-Cultural Music Society Orchestra and Kindred Spirits Orchestra. He has formed the Odyssey Trio with Kenny Lim and Meiyi Yip from Malaysia in 2019 to give chamber recitals. In 2020, Kenneth founded Fuloo Fuloo Flute Quartet with other three flautists in Hong Kong. After graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong under the tutelage of Ms. Ivy Chuang, Kenneth furthered his study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he studies with Ms. Sarah Newbold, Mr. Matthew Featherstone, Ms. Elizabeth May and Mr. Andrew Lane. He attained his MMus in Flute Performance with merits in 2019. Treasuring every opportunity to learn from famous flautists worldwide, Kenneth has been admitted to international flute summer schools and festivals. He has complemented his studies with masterclasses from world-class flautists including Denis Bouriakov, Seiya Ueno, Loic Schneider, Philippa Davies, Paul Edmund-Davies, Aldo Baerten and Sebastian Jacot. Kenneth furthered his flute study with Mr. Brian Chan. As a devoted educator, Kenneth always utilizes his knowledge in Music and Psychology in teaching. He has been invited to conduct Masterclass at the Music Faculty of the Educational University of Hong Kong. Kenneth was also a former flute instructor at Hong Kong Harmonious Wind Ensemble. He now is a full-time flute and music theory instructor.

Jaewon Lee

Principal Oboe

Jaewon Lee started learning oboe in Seoul and continued to study in New York and Vancouver with Sherry Sylar and Roger Cole, respectively. He has performed with numerous orchestras and ensembles across the Greater Toronto Area.

Chelyn Yoo

Associate Principal Oboe

Toronto born Chelyn Yoo began her music career studying piano at the age of five. Inspired by a family friend, she picked up the oboe at 10 years old, eventually studying with Wendy Bornstein. Chelyn currently attends the University of Toronto under the studio of Hugo Lee. She previously studied at The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy from the studios of Keith Atkinson and Hugo Lee. She has played in many ensembles throughout the years such as the TSYO, TYWO, and UTSO.

Carmen Gassi

Principal Clarinet

Carmen Gassi

Carmen Gassi has earned a Master of Music in Clarinet performance degree, a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. He has studied with Jerome Summers, Robert Riseling, and Imre Roszanyi. Mr. Gassi has performed with the Brampton Symphony Orchestra, Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, Oakville Symphony Orchestra, Brampton Lyric Opera, Opera Kitchener, Meadowvale Theatre, and others. An accomplished composer, Mr. Gassi wrote Diversions for Woodwind Quintet and The Last Tournament for a Brass Quintet (both published by Eighth Note). He has also been conductor of the Halton Senior Winds Honour Band, assistant conductor of Brampton Symphony Orchestra and Brampton Youth Orchestra, and Head of Arts & Moderns at the Halton District School Board.

Leonard Corsini

Associate Principal Clarinet

Leonard Corsini

Leonard Corsini graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours degree in Physics and Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education. Mr. Corsini has performed with the North York Concert Orchestra and the Oakville Symphony. For 20 years he was a member of the Taffanel Wind Ensemble which performed chamber music in a variety of venues including Roy Thomson Hall and the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg. Musical theatre orchestras have included productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical and the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire. Mr. Corsini has also performed with the Northdale and the North York Concert Bands and is currently principle clarinetist with the Markham Concert Band.

Rostislav Tikhov

Principal Bassoon

Rostislav Tikhov has earned a Bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance from the Kaliningrad Music College and a Master’s Degree in bassoon performance from the Saint-Petersburg Conservatory. While studying at the Conservatory, he was offered a position of bassoonist in the Sergei Stadler’s Saint-Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, where he had worked for 3 years and perform in various concert halls throughout Europe and China under the direction of illustrious conductors Fabio Mastrangelo and Aleksander Titov.

Daniel Leibovitch

Associate Principal Bassoon

Daniel Leibovitch began playing the bassoon in 2014.  He received beginning guidance from Benson Bell, and studied further with Kristin Day.  Daniel has performed with the original Kawartha Youth Orchestra, along side the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, as well as a freelance bassoonist with various community orchestras across the GTA.  Daniel also plays piano, cello, and the organ. Outside of music, Daniel operates a landscaping business north of the GTA, restores decorative badging for classic cars, and is involved with multiple historical and archeological societies.

Gilles Thibodeau

Principal French Horn

Gilles Thibodeau grew up in the Northern town of Kapuskasing, Ontario.  Having discovered the horn at the age of 14, he instantly fell in love with the instrument, and never looked back.  From the University of Western Ontario to the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory, he honed his craft and learned the ropes. An active orchestral freelancer, teacher and chamber musician, Gilles is also a senior administrator in the post-secondary education sector. 

Rebecca Whiteside​

Associate Principal French Horn​

Rebecca Whiteside has been playing the French Horn for over 35 years in various ensembles in Canada and the United Kingdom. She studied with Dan Gress while growing up in Ottawa and was a member of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra from 1989 to 1993. While pursuing a degree in Engineering at Queen’s University, Rebecca started playing horn semi-professionally with the Kingston Symphony Orchestra and was a full member of the orchestra from 1994 to 2003. She left Kingston in 2003 when her engineering career took her to England but while in the UK, she played in various ensembles in Derby and Nottingham most notably, the Nottingham Symphonic Winds and occasionally, the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra. Since returning to Canada in 2005, in addition to the KSO, Rebecca has been a member of the Brampton Symphony Orchestra, Brampton’s Rose Orchestra and the North York Concert Orchestra.

Darryl Dinniwell​

French Horn

Darryl Dinniwell

Darryl Dinniwell began studying Horn at the age of 14. Under the training of Harcus Hennigar, he has won such awards as the Ontario Grade 9 Brass Silver Medal from the Royal Conservatory of Music and two time winner of the Top Senior Brass Instrumentalist from the Barrie Kiwanis Music Festival. Darryl played with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Huronia Symphony Orchestra, the Barrie Concert Band, and the University of Toronto Wind Orchestra. Aside from Horn, Darryl also plays piano and harpsichord.

Joel Eric Szabo

French Horn

Joel Eric Szabo is a freelance Hornist and muti-instrumentalist based in the GTA. He began studying music at the age of 7, starting with piano and then trumpet and French Horn. Eric studied French Horn performance at York University under the tutelage of James MacDonald. Eric completed his undergraduate degree in French Horn at the University of Toronto under Gabriel Radford. Eric performed with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra (UTSO), opera, and chamber ensembles and is a founding member of brass powered rock band Turbo Street Funk.

Jonas Feldman

Principal Trumpet

For over 20 years, Jonas Feldman has dedicated his musical practice to the pursuit of powerful sound, and lyrical interpretation. Intensive study with Keith Johnson, Dr. Leonard Candelaria, and Glenn Fischthal helped shape Feldman’s distinctive style. He has performed with the Edmonton Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony and several other professional organizations worldwide, including the Rome Festival Orchestra. Feldman is a musician in the Canadian Armed Forces and maintains a large teaching studio. He has a BM from the University of North Texas, an MM from the San Francisco Conservatory of music and further studies at Royal Military College of Canada.

Mylz Powell

Associate Principal Trumpet

Mylz Powell studies trumpet at York University, specializing in jazz performance. Inspired by likes of Wynton Marsalis and Clifford Brown from a young age, he has been under the guidance of Kevin Turcotte, Ron Westray, and Andrew McAnsh. Mylz has performed and lead his own ensemble at renowned venues and festivals, including the Brampton Jazz Festival, Bourbon Street Festival, Kincardine Blues festival, Reids Distillery,  Annette Studios, and many more. Mylz is also a sought-after member for various classical ensembles, including the Metropolitan Winds of Toronto, Oscar Peterson Orchestra,  the University of Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. He’s also dedicated to musical outreach, collaborating with schools and workshops like Woodlands Secondary School,  Cardinal Leger Secondary, and Cawthra  Parks Secondary school bringing the gift of music to the younger generation. Mylz has received the Edward Harvey Award along with multiple academic scholarships.

Cassandra Paiva

Trumpet

Cassandra Paiva is a dynamic and accomplished musician based in Mississauga, Ontario. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, she studied under the esteem Guy Few, honing her skills and deepening her love for performance. Cassandra actively performs with a variety of ensembles across the Kitchener-Waterloo region and the Greater Toronto Area. She serves as Principal with the Milton Philharmonic Orchestra and has held – Co-Principal positions with the Wilfrid Laurier Symphony Orchestra and the Wilfrid Laurier Wind Orchestra. In addition to her orchestral work, Cassandra has been a key player in the Milton Concert Band and the Mississauga Big Band, bringing her vibrant energy to both classical, contemporary and jazz repertories further highlighting her expertise in brass performance. She has also been instrumental to the community players of new Hamburg as part of their pit orchestra in their production of Anne of Green Gables. Cassandra has a profound passion for chamber music, participating in a variety of ensembles that include brass quintets, quarters and trios with piano. Her commitment to collaboration allows her to explore diverse musical landscapes and connect with fellow musicians on a deeper level. With a commitment to music and collaboration, Cassandra is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for her audiences. Whether performing in large orchestras or intimate chamber settings, her passion and artistry shine through, making her a valued member of Ontario’s vibrant musical community.

Benjamin Liu

Saxophone

Benjamin began musical training on piano, later transferring to saxophone, studying under Allen Harrington through the University of Manitoba, Desautels Faculty of Music, Prep Studies Division. He sought out further technical instruction through the Université Européenne de Saxophone in Gap, France, coached by the top pedagogues in the field, and continues independent chamber music studies with Dr. Hye Won Cecilia Lee and Dr. Allan Kuan. He has impressed at several competitions, securing the Grand Prize and 1st Place for Woodwinds at the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals (FCMF), National Music Festival 2024; 1st place for the IMFC Concerto Competition 2023, 2024; 3rd place Winds Category for the Canadian Music Competition National Final 2022; 1st Place Woodwinds at the Manitoba Provincial Music and Arts Festival 2014; and others. Benjamin is also very active in the music community in the GTA, regularly performing as a soloist and chamber musician with the Appassionata Music Group, the Home Music Club of Toronto, North York Concert Orchestra, Kindred Spirits Orchestra, and others. Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences and Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), minors in Business and Bioengineering from the University of Toronto, and pursues work in industry, outside of his musical endeavors.

Paul Tarussov

Principal Trombone

Paul Tarussov is a trombonist, educator, and composer/arranger seeking to bring together an exploration of original music with a sound steeped in tradition. He is highly in demand as a freelancer in the Toronto area playing in a variety of genres – orchestral, brass quintet, jazz, world music, salsa, and funk. He has received accolades for his role in the ensemble in the Vivier opera Kopernikus  (2019, Dora Award winner), theatre productions at the Elgin Theatre as well as the Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake), and his work on 500 Years of Night (Juno Award-winning album with Quique Escamilla, 2015). Paul also appears on the soundtrack of ‘Cuphead 2’ and is an endorsee for XO Professional Brass.

Aaron Chan

Bass Trombone

Aaron Chan is a tenor and bass trombonist from Toronto, Canada and previously based in Miami, FL. He served as the Principal Bass Trombonist of the Punta Gorda Symphony Orchestra. As an active freelance musician in South Florida, he has performed with the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra, Miami Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Frost Symphony Orchestra. While in Canada, Aaron has also performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Griffin Brass Band, and the Sheraton Cadwell Jazz Orchestra. During his summers, Aaron has been a participant of numerous music festivals and programs such as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, National Academy Orchestra of Canada, Festival Napa Valley, Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA), and was an Opera Fellow at the Miami Music Festival. He has been fortunate enough to perform for some of the most prominent trombone players in the world, including Ian Bousfield, Pete Sullivan, Jeff Dee, and Alain Trudel. Aaron completed his doctoral studies at the University of Miami Frost School of Music as a Fellow in the Henry Mancini Institute. He has obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music in Montreal, Canada with a Graduate Excellence Fellowship and has completed his Professional Performer’s Certificate at Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton. His principal teachers include Tim Conner, Dan Satterwhite, James Box, and Trevor Dix. Outside of performance, Aaron enjoys arranging music, photography, playing video games, and enjoying board games with friends.

Christine Caccavella

Principal Tuba

Christine Caccavella

Playing the tuba for over 30 years, Ms. Christine Caccavella started her studies in high school with Jane Maness (Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony) and continued at the University of Western Ontario with Claudio Engli. She has performed with the Guelph Youth Orchestra, the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Orchestra, the Metropolitan Silver Band, and the North York Concert Orchestra. She also recorded for the children’s television series Ruffus the Dog, and has performed Tubby the Tuba with Sharon, Lois, and Bram.

Antonia De Wolfe

Principal Pianist

Antonia de Wolfe

Antonia de Wolfe has graduated with a degree in piano performance from the George Enescu Institute of Music in Bucharest, Romania and, later, with another degree from the Central School of Music affiliated with the P. I. Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow. She has also graduated from the Academia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, where she studied with Sergio Perticaroli, and has earned a Master in Music (piano performance) degree from the University of Toronto. In addition, Ms. de Wolfe has studied with Maestro S. Petricaroli at Mozarteum Hochschule für Musik in Salzburg (Austria). Ms. de Wolfe has given several recitals and concerts in some of the finest concert halls in Bucharest, Moscow, Rome, Paris, Salzburg, and Toronto. She has also taught piano at the Columbus Centre, Cosmo school of Music, and Koffler Music School. As a collaborative pianist and accompanist, she has been in great demand for several productions of the Centuries Opera Association, Toronto Opera Repertoire, Palestrina Choir, Etobicoke Centennial Choir, and others.

Bruce Reid

Principal Timpani

Bruce Reid

Bruce Reid has performed for over 25 years with various community orchestras as timpanist and percussionist, such as East York Symphony Orchestra, Etobicoke Symphony Orchestra, Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, Brampton Symphony Orchestra, Brampton Lyric Opera, NYCO Symphony Orchestra, Brampton Festival Singers, and Counterpoint Community Orchestra.

Paul Mouradian

Principal Percussion

Paul Mouradian

Paul M. Mouradian was born in St. Catharines Ontario and started playing drums since he was 7 years old. He holds a music performing degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Manhattan School of Music, and Artists Diploma from Freiburg Musikhochschule Freiburg Germany. He enjoyed playing music both as a free lance percussionist and timpanist in the U.S., Germany, France, and England. Mr. Mouradian’s musical interests are broad and include performing operatic and symphonic repertoire, Broadway musicals, contemporary music, chamber music, steel band, African Drumming, popular and jazz music. In his leisure time, he enjoys studying law and politics and spending time with his wife Suzanne, son Peter and daughter Joanne.

James Price

Associate Principal Percussion

James Price is known for his versatility as a solo, symphonic, chamber, and Latin percussionis. As a symphonic and chamber percussionist he performed with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Da Camera, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Jazz Orchestra in The United States. In Latin America, he has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Paraguay, Camerata Latinoamericana in Costa Rica, and El Salvador Symphony Orchestra. More recently, in Canada, he has performed with 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery Band, Huronia Symphony Orchestra, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and Kindred Spirits Orchestra. In the United States, he has performed as a percussion and marimba soloist at festivals such as the Olivet Nazarene University Day of Percussion Festival, the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference, as a showcase performer at the 2009 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) and the 2006 Contemporary Composers Festival dedicated to Elliot Carter. In Latin America, he has been a soloist at the Winter Festival of the National University of Asunción Paraguay, First Festival of Contemporary Music Festival at the University of Costa Rica, the VII, XIV and XV International Festival of Contemporary Music of El Salvador, the 42nd Anniversary Festival of the National Center of Arts of El Salvador. He performed Andre Jolivet’s Concerto Pour percussion et orchestre, Darius Milhaud’s Concerto pour batterie et petit orchestra and William Kraft’s Concerto for Four Percussion Soloists & Jazz Orchestra with El Salvador Symphony Orchestra. His recorded work can be heard on the CDs Venus Notorious on Inn-Nova Records and Impressions Sinfonia Da Camera on Albany Records. He has made radio and television broadcasts for the European Broadcasting Union (E.B.U), the National Public Radio (N.P.R), 98.7 WFMT Chicago, Channel 15 of the University of Costa Rica and Channel 10 of El Salvador. His interest in contemporary music has led him to collaborate with some of the most prominent composers in the United States such as Elliott Carter, Elliott Schwartz, Susan Botti and Zack Browning, and in Latin America with composers such as Marlos Nobre, Jorge Sarmientos and Germán Cáceres, and with the English composer Kieth Emerson and the Balinese composer I Ketut Gede Asnawa. His article “A Performer’s Guide to Sarmientos’s ‘Concierto Para Marimba y Orquesta’” was published by ‘Percussive Notes’, and his articles “El Salvador: History, Culture, and Geography of Music” and “El Salvador: Modern and Contemporary Performance Practice” were published by The SAGE Encyclopedia of Music and Culture. James Price holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in percussion with a minor in composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where he studied under the tutelage of legendary percussionist William Moersch. During his time at the University of Illinois he was awarded the Edgard Varèse Percussion Award.

Thomas Li

Percussion

Thomas Li is active as a chamber musician and performer of new music. A recent Master’s graduate from University of Toronto, he studied under the tutelage of Aiyun Huang, Beverley Johnston, Ryan Scott and Charles Settle. He has attended multiple summer festivals including Banff Centre’s Evolution: Classical and the Nief-Norf Summer Festival where he worked with members of Kronos Quartet and Mark Applebaum respectively. As an avid contemporary performer, Thomas was a member of University of Toronto’s Contemporary Music Ensemble as well as Toronto-based percussion quartet Kairos Quartet. He also took part in the recording of Elizabeth Ogonek’s chamber concerto, where are we now, released in an album on the Oberlin Music Label.

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