Young Artists Mentorship Programme
Young Artists Mentorship Programme
KSO Young Artists mentoring programme has as a main goal to further develop the technical and artistic skills of young musicians, and give them the opportunity to play side-by-side with professional musicians during weekly rehearsals, as well as during concerts, thus preserving and enhancing traditions, heritage, and culture. The Kindred Spirits Orchestra accepts unlimited number of young string musicians who are 18 years old or younger on an ongoing basis and without restrictions. The hours that high school students spend for playing in the orchestra count as community service volunteer hours. For more information, e-mail info@KSOrchestra.ca.
The members of the 2022 | 2023 KSO Young Artists Mentoring Programme are: Angela Wang (Markham), Jarmin Weng (Vaughan), Sophia Wang (Richmond Hill), Leonard Taranov-Isaacs (Toronto), Faranak Honarvar (Toronto), Konstantin Chu (Markham), Selena Zhang (Richmond Hill), Katelyn Xie (Richmond Hill), Yi Leng (Markham), Frank Qian (Richmond Hill), Brian Lo (Markham), Sophia Chang (Toronto), Karen Leung (Markham), Evanka Liu (Markham), Zhoutong Ju (Markham), Veronika Kolarska (Toronto), Samir Ahmadi (Markham), Stella Chang (Toronto).
Veronika Kolarska
Violin
Veronika Kolarska started learning violin at the age of 9. She studied primarily with Nancy Lokan and is currently playing under the tutelage of Bronson Kwan. She performed as associate concertmaster in the 2018 TDSB All City Orchestra, and as a tutti violinist at the 2020 Thanks to Dr. Suzuki concert. At the 2022 International Music Festival and Competition, Veronika was awarded two gold medals.
Sophia Wang
Violin
Sophia Wang started learning piano at the age of 5, voice at the age of 6, and violin at the age of 7. In 2021, at the age of 14, she completed the Associate Diploma (ARCT) in violin performance of the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) with First Class Honours with Distinction. She is currently pursuing ARCT performance in piano performance. In 2016, Sophia was awarded by the RCM a gold medal for achieving the highest examinations mark in the province of Ontario. She is also the recipient of a scholarship from Kiwanis musical festival, as well as of many trophies and awards from several music festivals and competitions. Sophia is an avid chess player, has attained the Dan in Taekwondo Black Belt, and enjoys composing, learning Latin, math and history.
Karen Leung
Violin
Karen Leung has been playing violin solo, in a group, and also in an orchestra for years. From flash mob performances in shopping malls to performances in seniors’ long-term care centres, to orchestral performances in concert halls, Karen has experience performing in an assortment of venues. She performed with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra in Hong Kong and is currently a member of the orchestra in her high school. Karen has been awarded the highest Level 8 in violin performance of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) in Hong Kong at the age of 11. She has also achieved Level 9 in Certificate in violin performance of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada, Apart from playing violin, her hobbies are reading, writing and playing volleyball.
Evanka Liu
Violin
Evanka Liu started learning violin at the age of 5 and viola at the age of 14. In 2021, she earned Grade 8 Certificate in violin performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is a member of the Chinese Artists Society of Toronto Youth Orchestra and the Viola performance program at the Unionville high school. In addition to music, Evanka also enjoys playing tennis, badminton, and guitar as well as singing.
Konstantin Chu
Violin
Konstantin Chu began studying the violin at the age of 5 with Wilson Chu, concertmaster of the Philharmonie Salzburg. Konstantin has performed as a soloist with the Po Leung Kuk Camões Tan Siu Lin Primary School since he was 7 y.o. At the age of 10, he has completed the Royal Schools of Music in London, England (ABRSM) Grade 8 Violin performance examination with distinction. He has earned the Vienna Music Examination Board TMPZ and the Trinity ATCL Performance diplomas when he was 11 y.o. Konstantin was also awarded the music scholarship of St. Paul’s College and is a prize-winner of many prestigious competitions, such as New York Golden Classical Music Awards 2018 International Competition – Champion, VMEB Competition 2020 Summer Semester, Advanced Level – Silver Medal, Hong Kong Youth Barclampory Music Festival – 1st Runner-up and a handful of Hong Kong Schools Music Festival Awards. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music, jogging, and skateboarding.
Jarmin Wang
Violin
Jarmin Weng started learning piano at the age of 6, violin at the age of 8, and cello at the age of 12. He has earned a Grade 10 Certificate with first class with distinction in violin performance, a Grade 10 Certificate with a first class with distinction in cello performance, and a Diploma (ARCT) with distinction in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 2022, he was awarded the First place in piano performance at the Canadian Music Competition (CMC), after being awarded a Second place in 2017 and 2019. In 2022 and in 2017, he won the First place in piano performance at the Ontario Provincial Music Competition (OMFA). He holds numerous Prizes and Awards from the International Music Festival and Competition, Markham Music Festival, North York Music Festival, Kiwanis Music Festival. Jarmin also loves math, physics, and history, and enjoys playing table tennis and basketball.
Sophia Chang
Violin
Sophia Chang began her musical journey playing violin at the age of 6 and is currently under the tutelage of Marie Berard. In 2020, she received a Grade 10 Certificate in violin performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music certificate and is currently pursuing her ARCT. Sophia has won several gold medal awards at the 2021 and 2022 International Music Festival and Competition, as well as at the 2020 and 2021 Kiwanis Music Festival. An incoming student of Earl Haig’s Claude Watson music program, Sophia also excels in her academics, being the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award. In her spare time she enjoys playing competitive tennis, and golf.
Katelyn Xie
Violin
Katelyn has been playing violin since the age of eight. In 2021, she has been working on her Grade 10 violin examination at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has been a member of OCMS Youth String Orchestra, her school string quartet and symphony orchestra, since she was in grade six. She performed with the orchestra in a dozen concerts and charity events. In her spare time Katelyn enjoys reading, hiking and swimming.
Angela Wang
Violin
Angela started her music journey at age 5 with piano, and fell in love with violin after two years at her own choice. She started to learn violin with Jia Xiao Cheng professor at Shenyang Conservatory of Music. Then she continued learning with great passion under the instruction of two professional professors. She passed RCM violin level 5 examination with first class honour, within a few years, and passed both piano and violin RCM level 8 examinations in 2018. Soon after, she passed RCM violin level 10 examination at the age of 12 in 2020. Her two tutors, Qian Zhao and Jing Ye, two prestigious violinists in the violin field, not only taught her skills but also awareness, love, and the mission of music. She was awarded many prizes in China National Youth piano and violin competitions, the Kiwanis Music Festival. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music and playing sports.
Zhoutong Ju
Violin
Zhoutong Ju developed a keen interest in both the piano at the age of 6 and the violin, a year later. He has played in a variety of competitions and concerts, including the Canadian Musical Competition in 2018. He has eared a Level 8 Certificate in violin performance and a Level 10 Certificate in piano performance of the Royal Conservatory of Music. He attends the International Baccalaureate program at St. Roberts CHS and the Canadian Sinfonietta Youth Orchestra.
Selena Zhang
Violin
Selena Zhang started learning the piano at the age of 7 and violin at the age of 10. In 2018, she won second place at the Chopin Pianoforte Competition and in 2019 – first-place at the violin devision of the YIP’s Music Festival. She has successfully passed the Royal Conservatory of Music examinations for Grade 9 violin and grade 10 piano, music history, harmony and counterpoint. She is enrolled at French immersion school and in her spare time she enjoys reading, listening to music and playing Sudoku.
Samir Ahmadi
Viola
Samir Ahmadi started learning violin and viola at the age of 15. He has won awards at festivals and competitions in the GTA. He is currently studying biotechnology at the York University in Toronto,
Frank Qian
Cello
Frank has been playing cello since the age of seven. He was a cellist in Shanghai City Youth Orchestra before coming to Canada in 2020. Frank performed with the orchestra in a dozen concerts and charity events, including several concerts dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children with autism. He passed ABRSM Grade 7 cello exam with distinction. In addition to cello, he also learned piano and once played a leading role in the musical The Sound of Music. Currently a student at St Theresa Lisieux High School in Richmond Hill, Frank enjoys reading history books, bicycling and swimming.
Stella Lang
Cello
Yi (Stella) Leng began learning cello at the age of seven under the tutelage of Guo Cheng and James Xia. In 2021, she won the first prize in the 1st Milan International Cello Competition and in 2022, she was awarded first place at the Canada Rocky Mountain Concerto Competition. In June 2022, she took part in the Vienna Virtuoso Music Competition, and was awarded first place in the junior category. In 2022 as well, she was awarded first place with a gold medal at the 2022 International Music Festival and Competition concerto competition. Stella was awarded First place and a Platinum Award at the 2022 Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival and First place at the Ontario Provincial Music Competition (OMFA). In her free time, Stella enjoys art, mathematics, drawing and skateboarding.
Stella Chang
Cello
Stella Chang started learning cello at the age of 6. She is currently studying with Paul Widner, with whom she was awarded first place at the 2022 International Music Festival and Competition. Stella also participated in the 2021 Toronto Kiwanis Festival and received 1st place with Platinum award. She continues to share her passion for music by performing at a variety of community and cultural events with her father and her sisters. In addition to cello, Stella also enjoys drawing, tennis, and gymnastics.
The members of the 2021 | 2022 KSO Young Artists Mentoring Programme were: Jing Lin (Markham), Angela Wang (Markham), Christine Wang (Markham), Jarmin Weng (Vaughan), George Sun (Toronto), Sophia Wang (Richmond Hill), Tiara Lai (Richmond Hill), Leonard Taranov-Isaacs (Toronto), Faranak Honarvar (Toronto), Konstantin Chu (Markham), Selena Zhang (Richmond Hill), Katelyn Xie (Richmond Hill), Lyndon Kirkley (Toronto), Austin Yuhan Dong (Markham), Ethan Yoon (Maple), Michelle Zhao (Richmond Hill), Yi Leng (Markham), Frank Qian (Richmond Hill), Jonas Shapiro (Vaughan), Brian Lo (Markham).
The members of the 2020 | 2021 KSO Young Artists Mentoring Programme were: Austin Dong (Richmond Hill), Faranak Honarvar (Toronto), Chelsea Kwong (Markham), Christine Wang (Markham), Selina Mei (King City), Leonard Taranov-Isaac (Toronto), Jarmin Weng (Vaughan), Selena Zhang (Richmond Hill), Jonah Shapiro (Vaughan), Brian Lo (Markham), Richard Lu (Richmond Hill).
The members of the 2019 | 2020 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Yolanda Tang (Newmarket), Tom Pan (Markham), Sophia Wang (Richmond Hill), Austin Dong (Richmond Hill), Lucas Choi (Markham), Daniel Yang (Toronto), Faranak Honarvar (Toronto), Chelsea Kwong (Markham), Katelyn Xie (Markham).
The members of the 2018 | 2019 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Charlize Yao (Richmond Hill), Braden Yao (Richmond Hill), Brandon Chen (Markham), Ellie Sievers (Markham), Star Xie (Markham), Jasmine Zhao (Toronto), Earnest Ma (Toronto), Yolanda Tang (Newmarket), Garrett Kawabata (Markham), Alina Dong (Markham), Jarmin Wang (Vaughan), Richard Xiong (Toronto), Rachel Wan (Richmond Hill), Alison Wan (Richmond Hill), Tom Pan (Markham), Angelina Sievers (Markham), Sophia Wang (Richmond Hill), Jing Lin (Markham), Belinda Du (Toronto), Kevin Song (Newmarket), Eric Zhao (Markham), Jennifer Zhu (Markham).
The members of the 2017 | 2018 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Charlize Yao (Richmond Hill), Braden Yao (Richmond Hill), Brandon Chen (Markham), Ellie Sievers (Markham), Janey Song (Toronto), York Wei (Richmond Hill), Eugene Ye (Richmond Hill), Justin Zhou (Richmond Hill), Jennifer Ye (Markham), Star Xie (Markham), Jasmine Zhao (Toronto), Bjon Li (Markham), Edward Cui (Richmond Hill), Eric Sun (Markham), Tom Pan (Markham), Angelina Sievers (Markham), Sophia Wang (Richmond Hill), Jing Lin (Markham), Belinda Du (Toronto).
The members of the 2016 | 2017 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Charlize Yao (Richmond Hill), Braden Yao (Richmond Hill), Brandon Chen (Markham), Ellie Sievers (Markham), Janey Song (Toronto), York Wei (Richmond Hill), Jennifer Ye (Markham), Star Xie (Markham), Jasmine Zhao (Toronto), Eugene Ye (Richmond Hill), Justin Zhou (Richmond Hill), Bjon Li (Markham), Carole Wei (Markham), Vivian Xu (Toronto), Edward Cui (Richmond Hill), Eric Sun (Markham), Sibo Dong (Markham), Davin Ma (Markham), Christopher Wong (Markham), Hana Zhang (Toronto), Tian Jian (Toronto), Rona Li (Markham).
The members of the 2015 | 2016 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Brandon Chen (Markham), Ellie Sievers (Markham), Janey Song (Toronto), York Wei (Richmond Hill), Jennifer Ye (Markham), Star Xie (Markham), Eugene Ye (Richmond Hill), Justin Zhou (Richmond Hill), Jasmine Zhao (Toronto), Bjon Li (Markham), Carole Wei (Markham), Vivian Xu (Toronto), Edward Cui (Richmond Hill), Eric Sun (Markham), Sibo Dong (Markham), Davin Ma (Markham), Christopher Wong (Markham), Hana Zhang (Toronto), Tian Jian (Toronto), Rona Li (Markham).
The members of the 2014 | 2015 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Star Xie (Markham), Jasmine Zhao (Toronto), Bjon Li (Markham), Eugene Ye (Richmond Hill), Justin Zhou (Richmond Hill), Carole Wei (Markham), Edward Cui (Richmond Hill), Eric Sun (Markham), Sibo Dong (Markham), Davin Ma (Markham), Christopher Wong (Markham), Hana Zhang (Toronto), Tian Jian (Toronto), Rona Li (Markham).
The members of the 2013 | 2014 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Eugene Ye (Richmond Hill), Yiyang Gao (Richmond Hill), Carole Wei (Markham), Edward Cui (Richmond Hill), Sibo Dong (Markham), Eric Sun (Markham) and Christopher Wong (Markham).
The members of the 2012 | 2013 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: David Hou, Yiyang Gao (Richmond Hill), Jimmy Zhang (Toronto), Elson Leung (Markham), Dennis Liu (Richmond Hill), Carole Wei (Markham), Louise Shi (Richmond Hill), Jingzhe Su (Richmond Hill), Edward Cui (Richmond Hill), Eric Sun (Markham) et Christopher Wong (Markham).
The members of the 2011 | 2012 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Dennis Liu (Richmond Hill), Louise Shi (Richmond Hill), Jingzhe Su (Richmond Hill) and Christopher Wong (Markham).
The members of the 2010 | 2011 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Jimmy Zhang (Toronto), Justina Wong (Markham), Dennis Liu (Richmond Hill) and Christopher Wong (Markham).
The members of the 2009 | 2010 KSO Youth Strings Mentoring Programme were: Jimmy Zhang (Toronto), Dennis Liu (Richmond Hill) and Lucy Yi (Markham).
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