Musicians

Bénédicte Lauzière, Concertmaster
Chair Sponsor: Bob & Judy Astley

Described as “beautiful to watch and breathtaking to hear” by the Guelph Mercury, Ms Lauzière began learning the violin at the age of five and then attended Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal from 2001 to 2009 with Helmut Lipsky. Ms Lauzière completed her Bachelor of Music degree with Jonathan Crow at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University in 2012, with the aid of the Lloyd Carr-Harris scholarship. Ms Lauzière holds a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School where she studied with Masao Kawasaki, with the support of the Karl H. Kraeuter and the H. & E. Kivekas Scholarships. Miss Lauziere has also been a recipient of the Grants to Professional Musicians – Individuals from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Ms Lauzière is the winner of the 2014 Prix d’Europe, a prestigious prize which supports her continuing development as a violinist. Newly arrived in the US, Ms Lauzière was delighted to play in New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall for the first time as a member of the Juilliard Orchestra under the baton of Alan Gilbert in October 2013. Bénédicte is equally committed to her performances as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and orchestra player. She performed Mendelssohn’s Concerto No. 1 in D minor in October 2012 as guest soloist of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony series Baroque and Beyond. During her studies at McGill, Ms Lauzière had the opportunity of performing Tchaikovsky Concerto op. 35 in D major in February 2012 and Mendelssohn Concerto No. 2 op. 64 in E minor in February 2011 with the McGill Sinfonietta. In the summer of 2011, Ms Lauzière was announced the first winner of the Michael Measures Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts. In February 2010, Ms. Lauzière won the silver medal of the Stulberg International String Competition, which gave her the chance to perform as a soloist in the Korngold Concerto op. 35 in D major with the Western Michigan University Orchestra. Also in 2010, she won the Peter Mendell award, which is given every year to the most promising musician attending a Montreal university. Bénédicte was awarded first prize in her age category at the Canadian Music Competition in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2008, she was played as soloist in Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 1 in A minor with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra and maestro Yoav Talmi. In addition to the solo repertoire, Ms Lauzière also cherishes the chamber music repertoire, collaborating with Jonathan Crow, Mark Fewer, and Andrés Dìas, to only name a few. Smitten with the orchestral repertoire, she is delighted to have been appointed concertmaster of the KW Symphony in January 2015.

Lance Ouellette, Associate Concertmaster
Chair Sponsor: Anonymous Member of the Conductor’s Circle

Lance Ouellette is a chamber musician, featured soloist and performs as an orchestral musician throughout Canada. Opportunities to perform abroad have included concert tours of Europe, Asia, and the United States alongside working for film, radio, and television studios in a variety of productions for organizations such as the CBC, NPR, and Showtime.

Currently, Lance is the Associate Concertmaster of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, the Associate Concertmaster for the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and performs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

As an educator, Lance teaches violin for the University of Waterloo and has collaborated with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada for several years as a mentor and masterclass clinician.

Having won top awards in both the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals and the Canadian Music Competition, Lance now serves as an adjudicator for both organizations travelling across the nation passing on the yearly tradition.

Aside from classical music, Lance enjoys utilizing current technology to find new ways to express the joy of creating music. By using the electric violin, effect pedals, and a variety of modular synthesizers, the exploration of musical ideas is always evolving.

Seasonal hobbies include fishing, table tennis, cross country skiing, and the game of Golf.

Jung Tsai, 2nd Associate Concertmaster
Chair Sponsored in Memory of Fabienne D. Duval

A native of Taipei, Taiwan, violinist Jung Tsai gave her first solo performance in National Concert Hall in Taipei in 1994. She has won 3^rd prize in Taiwan Chamber Orchestra Competition and was chosen by the school to give performances in the “Young Concert Artists Concert Series” while she attended High School division affiliated Tainan National University of Arts. She made her debut playing Brahms Violin Concerto with Mannes Community Orchestra and New York Doctor Orchestra in 2011 for the winner of Mannes Community Orchestra Solo Competition. In addition to solo performances, Ms. Tsai is also an intensive orchestral and chamber musician. Ms. Tsai had joined Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in 2013-2015 and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago in 2012-2014 and served as assistant concertmaster during the year of 2012-2013. She was invited to Schleswig-Holstein and Britten-Pears Music Festival. In the year of 2015, her string quartet (Pavo) was invited to Festival de Música de Santa Catarina in Brazil for the string quartet program under the guidance of Arianna String Quartet and has won the honorable mention in Plowman Chamber Music competition. She has recently won the Lumiarts Fellowship of string category for year 2015. In the past years, she has attended several festivals and had masterclasses with Mikhail Kopelman, James Buswell, Helmut Zehetmair, Josef Silverstein, Ivry Gitlis, Martin Beavor, Vadim Gluzman, Chee-Yun, and Gerardo Ribeiro.

Ms. Tsai received Bachelor of Music Performance at Mannes College where she studied with Prof. Nina Beilina and Master Degree in Music Performance in DePaul School of music with Prof. Ilya Kaler.  She recently graduated with an Artist Diploma at McGill Schulich School of Music with Prof. Axel Strauss.

Peter Carter
Chair Sponsor: Andrea Mills and Rahim Moosa

Peter has been with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony since 1987. A native of Sarnia, Ontario he began his studies at the age of seven under Richard Lawrence. Peter obtained his degree in Violin Performance from The University of Western Ontario in 1986 studying with Lorand Fenyves. He attended the Royal Conservatory of Toronto’s Orchestral Training Program in 1987 under the tutelage of Steven Staryk and in the same year won the audition for the KWS.

Peter maintains a full time private studio in Kitchener and has coached the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Orchestra for nine years. This summer will be his sixth year teaching at The Kincardine Festival of Music. Peter and his wife are members of the Amarone String Quartet.

Photo by: Ben Lariviere Photography

Allene Chomyn
Chair Sponsor: Cliff & Mary Bauman

A native of Western Canada, violinist Allene Chomyn holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Toronto (2007), and a Bachelor of Music with Distinction from the University of Victoria (2005). In addition to the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, of which she has been a member since 2007, Allene maintains a busy freelance career with various ensembles in Southern Ontario, and is the conductor of the KWS Youth Sinfonia, the Youth Orchestra Program’s senior string ensemble. Allene is also passionate about historical performance practice. She has studied privately with Jeanne Lamon, attended Tafelmusik Summer and Winter Institutes (2011, 2013 and 2013, 2014 respectively), has performed and recorded with Tafelmusik and Aradia Ensemble in Toronto, and has performed locally with Nota Bene Baroque Players and Musica Viva Orchestra.

Allene has been a featured soloist with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (2011, 2015) and the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Orchestra (2012) and performs chamber music recitals frequently on both Baroque and modern violin. In addition to her music career, Allene is also a bridal/special event hair stylist with a mobile styling business. She lives in Kitchener with her husband, principal bassist Ian Whitman, their daughter, and their dog, Spike.

Julia Dixon
Chair Sponsored in Memory of David Buehlow

Julia Dixon joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 1988 after graduating from the University of Western Ontario. Her principal teachers were Steven Staryk and Lorand Fenyves. Julia also teaches violin privately and performs chamber music regularly in the Kitchener area.

Anna Luhowy
Chair Sponsor: John & Elisabeth Honek

A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Anna’s violin studies began at the age of 8 in the elementary school system. Having won a major local competition at the age of 14, she began seriously to consider a future in music. Being chosen to participate in the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 1972 proved to be a turning point in her profession.

A position in the Winnipeg Symphony was offered to her in her final year of university as part of a scholarship development programme. Upon graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1973, she moved east and soon discovered Raffi Armenian and the KWS the following year.

One of her proudest accomplishments has been the creation and production of the infamous KWS calendars for the years ’95 and ’96. Highlights of her career would have to be performing the inaugural performance of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony at the opening of the Centre in the Square, and the exciting tour with the CCE to South America.

In her spare time Anna enjoys fitness training, and has a passion for movies.

Kenneth Kwan
Chair Sponsor: Willy & Laura Heffner

A native of Hong Kong, Kenneth started playing violin at the age of 7. By the age of 12 he was accepted into the Interlochen Arts Academy. He went on to finish his studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and McGill University. His Teachers include Dennis Kim, Violaine Mealancon, Felicia Moye and Denise Lupien. While attending McGill University, Kenneth was generously sponsored by the Sir Kenneth Fun Ping Fan Foundation Trust I.
Prior to Joining the Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony in 2019, Kenneth spent one season with the Thunder Bay Symphony. He has also played with other orchestras in Canada, such as the Toronto Symphony, Toronto Concert Orchestra. Besides maintaining a busy performance schedule, Kenneth also enjoys teaching and is currently faculty at the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts.

Anita Walsh, Principal (on leave)
Open Chair Sponsorship Opportunity

A concert violinist, music educator, adjudicator, and community volunteer, Anita Walsh has performed as Principal Second Violinist with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony since 2008. Other engagements have included concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Canadian Chamber Ensemble, and Madawaska Ensemble among others. As a chamber musician, Anita passionately pursues collaborative music projects that bring new listeners into the artistic experience with programs that support better health and community wellbeing. Currently, she enjoys volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Society in their Minds in Motion program, and has previously worked with the Canadian Mental Health Association and National Services Dogs, who train service dogs for people with autism and PTSD.

Roxolana Toews, Interim Principal
Chair Sponsor: Dr. David & Barbara Barr

Roxolana has been with the KWS since 1989. She has also played with the Thunder Bay and Windsor Symphony as Principal Second Violin. Roxolana has performed solo recitals in Montreal and New York. In her spare time, you may find her playing bridge.

Xueao Yang, Interim Associate Principal
Open Chair Sponsorship Opportunity

A native of China, Xueao began studying the violin at the age of four. At the age of twelve, she was accepted into the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She obtained her Bachelor of music with outstanding achievement and Master’s degree From McGill University. She also received her Performance Certificate in violin at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has also been the recipient of many scholarships due to her incredible musicianship, including but not limited to: the Lloyd Carr-Harris String Scholarship, the HP Robert Fung Scholarship, the Bill&Judy Watson Scholarship, and the Williamson Music Foundation Scholarship.

Her teachers include Kevin Lawrence, Violaine Melançon, Denise Lupien and Felica Moye.

Xueao was a member of Les Jeunes Virtuoses de Montréal at the Montréal Chamber Music Festival in 2021 and a participant of the National arts Centre Orchestra Mentorship Program in 2022. Xueao has participated in music festivals such as Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival, Zodiac Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Pacific Music Festival and the Brott Music Festival. She has been featured in solo masterclasses for James Ehnes, Daniel Philips and Donald Weilerstein.

Xueao has frequently subbed with many orchestras in Canada, including Toronto Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony and guest principal second violin with the Regina Symphony. She is very excited to join the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony as associate principal second violin for the 2022-2023 season.

Elspeth Durward, Assistant Principal
Chair Sponsor: Robin & Maureen Ollerhead

Violinist Elspeth Durward is Assistant Principal Second of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony and a dedicated Suzuki Pedagogue. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Music (Performance with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy) from the Hartt School of Music. Prior to joining the KW Symphony, Elspeth spent three years performing with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Highlights of her time with the NWS include residencies with MTT at Rome’s National Academy of Saint Cecilia and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

As an orchestral performer, Elspeth has appeared with the Pacific Music Festival in Japan, Spoleto Festival USA, the Britt Festival Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Toronto Symphony. She has been featured in concert with the Emerson String Quartet, participated in masterclasses and chamber music at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France, and attended the Pinchas Zukerman Young Artists Program in Ottawa.

Elspeth is a Faculty member of the Suzuki String School of Guelph where she teaches private lessons and group classes to students of all ages and abilities. Prior to pursuing a musical career, Elspeth earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Queen’s University. She lives in Guelph with her husband and two children.

Sophie Drouin
Chair Sponsor: Jim & Mary Guy

After graduating from the Quebec Conservatoire with a coveted Premier Prix in 1989, Sophie Drouin completed her studies in Toronto and Banff with, among others Liliane Garnier-LeSage and Lorand Fenyves. She has been a member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (1991-97), the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and the Musick Barok Ensemble (Winnipeg). She is currently a violinist in the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

Vicky Dvorak
Chair Sponsor: Lewis & Urve Abbott

Vicky, a native of Toronto, completed her Bachelor of Music degree in Performance at the University of Toronto under Lorand Fenyves. She continued her violin studies at McGill University with Mauricio Fuks and joined the KWS as a member of the 2nd violin section in 1992. Vicky also enjoys playing chamber music and teaching violin.

Sheilanne Lindsay
Chair Sponsor: Ian McIlraith

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Sheilanne began her violin studies under the guidance of Dr. Metro Kozak.  She continued her studies at the University of Toronto in the studio of David Zafer, receiving both a Bachelor of Music in Performance as well as a Bachelor of Education.  She continued in her studies at U of T to earn a Masters in Music Performance.

Sheilanne became a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 2004.  She is also a member of London Symphonia and was a member of Orchestra London and the Windsor Symphony.  Sheilanne enjoys spending time outdoors, chasing after her two sons, and cuddling with her two cats.

Nora Pellerin

Nora Pellerin completed her Masters in Violin Performance at the University of Ottawa, under the tutelage of David Stewart, then received the Bessie Ewen Scholarship in Orchestral Studies.  She got  her undergraduate degree at McGill University, studying with Ellen Jewett and Andrew Dawes.  Her love of music was cultivated by her very musical family, and she began playing the violin at age 6.  Clara Schranz, Amalia Canzoneri and David Zafer were all beloved teachers in her formative years.

As a classical musician, Nora has considerable experience playing with orchestras, including acting as concertmaster for the McGill Symphony Orchestra, University of Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and University of Ottawa Opera Orchestra.  She was an apprentice with the Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra for many summers. Today, Nora performs with orchestras throughout Ontario, including those of London, Windsor and Kingston.  She was principal second in the Georgian Bay Symphony for many years, and more recently holds that position with the Peterborough Symphony.  In addition, she has participated in several summer music programs, including Domaine Forget in Quebec and the Toronto Summer Music Festival Academy.  Nora has taught violin everywhere she has lived, as well as at several music camps, including the Interprovincial Music Camp, the Thornhill Chamber Music Institute and at “Summer Music in Galway” in Galway, Ireland. She enjoys playing chamber music whenever possible, and has performed at the Guelph Connections Concerts and the Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Music Society Music Room.

In addition to classical music, Nora has learned some Irish, Acadian and Métis fiddling, to get better in touch with her heritage. She participated in a National Elder/Youth legacy project bringing young Aboriginal artists together with accomplished Elder fiddlers from across Canada.

Nora lives in Guelph, along with her husband Elliott Braganza (an accomplished pianist), their son Leo  and cat Pikachu.

Michael Steinberg
Chair Sponsored in Memory of Barbara Van De Kamer

Michael has been playing with the KWS since 1983. Michael grew up in Montreal, QC and studied at McGill University.

Natasha Sharko, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Mary Reynolds & David Paleczny

A long-time member of the Gould String Quartet, the quartet-in-residence at the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival, Natasha has delighted audiences with her talent, charm and dedication to her music. Born in Sudbury, Natasha began her violin lessons at the age of four. First-place winner of numerous Kiwanis Competitions, she was concertmistress of the Sudbury Youth Orchestra, played in the Sudbury Symphony from the age of 12, and soon after joined the National Youth Orchestra. Initially studying science at McGill University, Natasha missed having music as a part of her life and ended up graduating with a triple major – Violin Performance, Viola Performance, and Music History. It was at McGill where she was first invited to try the viola and she felt an immediate personal connection to its deeper voice. Natasha went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the University of Toronto. Her career has included performances with Opera Hamilton, the Festival dei due mondi in Spoleto, Italy, three seasons with the Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra, freelancing with orchestras across Southern Ontario, and teacher and chamber music coach on faculty at the Toronto School for Strings. 2011/12 marks Natasha’s first season as Principal Viola for the KWS.

Judith Davenport, Associate Principal
Chair Sponsor: Joseph & Xiaopu Fung

Judith is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied with members of the Penderecki String Quartet. She has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra, continuing her summer studies in Banff, at the Orford Arts Centre and has participated in a number of QuartetFests at Wilfrid Laurier University. An avid chamber musician, Judith has performed on series such as the Stratford Summer Music Festival, KWS’s Baroque and Beyond, Leith Summer Festival, Perimeter Institute’s Bistro Series, Festival of the Sound, and the KWMS to name just a few. She is currently a member of the INNERchamber String Quartet.

As an educator, Judith is very active in the Kitchener-Waterloo community teaching at Wilfrid Laurier, University of Waterloo (Conrad Grebel), as well as maintaining a small private studio. Judith is part of the resident faculty for IMC (Interprovincial Music Camp) and City of Lakes Strings Retreat at the Canadian Ecology Centre.  She is a long-time coach for the KW Symphony’s Youth Orchestra program and is in high demand as a clinician across Southern Ontario.

Judith has held the position of Associate Principal Viola with the KWS since October 2002 and maintains an active freelance career across Southern Ontario. Most recently, she was a member of the band for the North American debut of the hit new musical &Juliet in Toronto (Mirvish Productions).  She lives in Kitchener with her husband Jeff and their small but mighty Scottish Terrier Gus.

Evalynn Tyros, Assistant Principal
Chair Sponsor: Betsey Ryan

David Wadley
Chair Sponsor: John & Joanne Bender

David Wadley joined the viola section of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 1984. His chair is generously sponsored by Joanne and John Bender. In addition to teaching and coaching violin and viola students, he arranges and composes.

Rebecca Diderrich
Chair Sponsor: Vacant

Born in London ON, Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from the University of Toronto, where she studied the violin with Lorand Fenyves.  She also completed a Professional Performance Certificate at Lynn University in Boca Raton Florida, where she studied the viola with Ralph Fielding.  While living in Florida, Rebecca was the principal violist of the Southwest Florida Symphony where she also appeared as a soloist.  She was a member of both the Palm Beach Opera orchestra and the Florida Grand Opera orchestra for many years, and played frequently with the Naples Philharmonic and the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival.  Rebecca also worked as a studio musician in Miami, recording on albums produced for many artists including Gloria Estefan, Christian Castro and Natalie Cole.  Since returning to Canada after the birth of her first child, Rebecca has played with a number of local ensembles and she is absolutely thrilled to be joining the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony.  Rebecca is active locally as a violin/viola teacher and loves spending her free time with her husband, their two wonderful sons, and their dog Lucy the pug.

Brenna Hardy-Kavanagh, On Leave
Chair Sponsor: Betsey Ryan

Appointed to the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 2017, violinist-violist Brenna Hardy-Kavanagh’s passion for chamber and orchestral music has taken her all over the world, with performances in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Ireland, England, Wales, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Romania.

Violist of the Toronto-based performance project Bach from the Heart, she also appears frequently with Against the Grain Theatre, Pocket Concerts, Tapestry Opera, and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Brenna made her Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival debut in July 2016, when her piano trio Amarok Ensemble was invited to complete the festival’s inaugural Career Development Residency. She has also participated in the prestigious Britten-Pears Orchestra, the St. Lawrence String Quartet Chamber Music Seminar, the Domaine Forget Summer Chamber Music Institute, and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra Academy.

Interim principal second violin of the Regina Symphony Orchestra for part of the 2017-2018 season, Brenna served as principal second violin of l’Orchestre de la Francophonie for four seasons between 2007 and 2013. She is a former concertmaster of the University of Montreal Orchestra and Bard College’s The Orchestra Now, and a former assistant concertmaster of the Royal Conservatory Orchestra.

Two-time prizewinner in the Glenn Gould School Chamber Music Competition, Brenna completed the Artist Diploma Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2015, under the direction of Erika Raum. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree and an artist diploma from the University of Montreal, where she studied with Vladimir Landsman.

Brenna plays on a 2005 viola by Toronto luthier John Newton.

John Helmers, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Mike & Bev Marshman

John Helmers joined the KWS in 1986. He studied at Queen’s and Indiana University. John has played with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, and the Calgary Philharmonic. He appears regularly as a chamber musician at various summer festivals, including the Elora Festival, and the Sharon Festival.

Cathy Anderson, Associate Principal
Chair Sponsor: Dan & Joanne Clements

A native of Guelph, Ontario, Cathy Anderson holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she studied cello with Paul Pulford and members of the Penderecki String Quartet. She earned a Master of Music degree at Yale University under the tutelage of Aldo Parisot, where she received regular coachings from members of the Tokyo String Quartet. Cathy has had the opportunity to perform in concert with the St. Lawrence, Penderecki and Borealis String Quartets, and has been heard as a soloist and chamber musician on CBC Radio. Cathy, along with three other members of the KWS, now plays in the Bremen String Quartet which performs frequently in the area and runs the KWS Youth Chamber Program. Before joining the KWS in 2007, Cathy played in the Thunder Bay Symphony and taught the cello studio at Lakehead University. She recently taught a semester at Wilfrid Laurier University, and played for the Drayton Entertainment productions of Evita and Annie.

Rebecca Morton, Assistant Principal
Chair Sponsored in Memory of Cathay Weston

Cellist Rebecca Morton inspires audiences with her honesty, ease, and love of music making. She began her studies at the age of six in her hometown of Hamilton, Ontario and went on to study as a scholarship student at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto with Vladimir Orloff and David Hetherington where she was awarded the Gold Medal for achieving the highest string mark in Canada. Continuing at the Eastman School of Music, she was the recipient of a six year scholarship and graduated with highest distinction receiving Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees under Paul Katz and Steven Doane. Since graduating, she has won numerous scholarships and awards including semi-finalist in the 2003 Eckhardt-Gramatte String Competition.

Currently living and freelancing in Toronto, Rebecca has played with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Ontario Philharmonic, group of 27, Toronto Masque Theatre, Contact Contemporary Music Ensemble, the Stratford Festival Orchestra and the Niagara Symphony. Sought after as a principal player, she has been guest principal of Symphony on the Bay, Talisker Players and the Kingston Symphony. A gifted soloist and ensemble member, she was a member of the Kamareli String Quartet for many years and has been heard in many solo and chamber music recitals, including performances with ChamberWorks!, Nota Bene, Past Perfect, at the Toronto Music Garden and in recordings with Final Fantasy. Most recently, she has performed with members of the Canadian Opera Company at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Gallery 345, the
McMaster Concert Series, and with the McMaster Trio. In September of 2015, Rebecca joins the cello section of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

Voted “favourite music teacher” through the Hamilton spectator, Rebecca also enjoys teaching privately and at McMaster University.

Nancy Wharton
Chair Sponsor: Gary & Lorna Boratto

A native of Kitchener, Nancy studied in Vancouver, and at the Royal College of Music in London, England. This season marks Nancy’s 41st as a member of the cello section of the KWS. Over the years she has been very active in the Players’ and Negotiating Committees, as well as serving for several years as the KWS representative to the Organization of Canadian Symphonic Musicians. Nancy was also the President of Local 226 of the American Federation of Musicians from 1997 to 2000. In September of 2001, Nancy joined the KWS staff as the Education and Outreach Coordinator and in 2009 she took on the position of Orchestra Personnel Manager. Nancy lives with her husband Dennis in their home on the outskirts of Kitchener.  Nancy’s various activities include making hand thrown pottery, pie baking, quilting, sampling sunshine in various parts of the globe and hosting weekly dinners for the whole family.

Nancy’s chair in the orchestra is generously sponsored by Gary & Lorna Boratto.

Miriam Stewart-Kroeker
Chair Sponsor: Caroline & Arthur Read

Miriam Stewart-Kroeker is a native of Hamilton, Ontario, where she began her studies at the age of 5.  She studied with Paul Pulford and the Penderecki String Quartet at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she received an Honours Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance as well as a Diploma in Chamber Music Performance.  She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Cello Performance at McGill University under the direction of Matt Haimovitz. She is looking forward to joining the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony cello section in January 2020.

On top of performing with various orchestras throughout Ontario, Miriam is an active chamber musician.  She is a founding member of the Andromeda Piano Trio, who perform frequently for a number of chamber music series in the region, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society, Guelph Connections Chamber Music Series, Conrad Grebel Noon Hour series, Toronto Chamber Players series and more.  In 2013 Miriam completed a winter residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts in solo and chamber music, and her chamber ensembles have been the recipients of a number of awards. She has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, Da Capo Chamber Choir and the Georgian Bay Symphony.

Kendra Grittani
Chair Sponsor: John & Marcia Shortreed

Described as playing with “authority, grace and artistry…” following her most recent performance of the Haydn Cello Concerto in D with the Oakville Symphony Orchestra, Kendra Grittani is a up and coming young cellist performing in venues across Canada. Kendra has completed her Masters in cello performance at McGill University with accomplished symphonic and chamber musician, and cello professor, Elizabeth Dolin.

Kendra has performed with various orchestras including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the McGill Symphony Orchestra, the McGill Opera Orchestra, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.

As a chamber musician, with the piano trio ‘Trio Meira’, Kendra Grittani was awarded 1st prize at the 2018 McGill University Chamber Competition. Along with a debut performance in Montreal, ‘Trio Meira’ was awarded a week long residency at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

In the summer of 2021, Kendra was invited to perform alongside other young Canadian musicians in Les Jeunes Virtuous Ensemble as part of the 2021 Montreal Chamber Music Festival, performing in over 20 concerts for the public of Montreal.

Kendra has also had the privilege to perform in concert halls across North America and Europe including British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Salzburg, and Nice, alongside accomplished professionals such as Andrew Wan, Axel Strauss, Stephane Lemelin, Elizabeth Dolin, Ariel Barnes, Riko Higuma, Steve Dann, Erika Raum and many more.

Ian Whitman, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Ron Craigen & Margaret McCreery

A native of Edmonton, Ian Whitman was introduced to the bass at age 17 and spent 2 years studying jazz at Grant MacEwan College. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s of Music degree at McGill University and completed his Master’s of Music from the Yale University School of Music. After a year at the New England Conservatory in Boston, he joined the KWS in 2008.

Ian’s chair in the orchestra is generously sponsored by Margaret McCreery and Ron Craigen. He lives in Kitchener with his wife, violinist Allene Chomyn, and their two children.

Image credit: Sarah Willoughby Photography

Talia Hatcher
Chair Sponsored  by Kurt & Sandy Christie

Talia Hatcher completed her undergraduate degree at the Conservatory of Music of Montreal with René Gosselin. She was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2014 as well as the Orchestra of The Americas in 2016 and 2017, touring in Europe and South America. Talia also won the Vic Pomer award at the finals of the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) Bursary Competition in 2018. She completed her master’s degree in 2019 at the University of Ottawa under the mentorship of Joel Quarrington.

Since 2015, she has played with numerous orchestras including the Orchestre symphonique du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal as principal and assistant principal, the Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivières, the Ottawa Symphony, the Orchestre Métropolitain of Montreal, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Her favourite memory as a musician is the European Tour with NACO in 2019 where the bass section didn’t go unnoticed: “… et un pupitre de contrebasses dont beaucoup d’orchestres peuvent rêver…” (Le Devoir).

Talia is a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony as of September 2020. She lives with her partner and their crazy highlander cat Persephone, and enjoys painting and writing poetry.

Milos Petrak, Assistant Principal
Chair Sponsor: Chris & Chryssa Geddes

Born in Prague, Czech Republic, Milos Petrak began his musical training at age six, taking violin lessons from his father, a member of Czech Philharmonic. At age fifteen he switched to the double bass and continued his training at the Prague Conservatory of Music, where he studied under Frantisek Posta, principal double bass player of Czech Philharmonic, where, for seven years, he played under the direction of Vaclav Neumann. In 1981, he emigrated via Japan to Canada, settling in Toronto. In 1988 he joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. For the last eleven summers, he has participated in the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder.

In his spare time, Milos enjoys cooking and is an avid photographer.

Bruce McGillivray
Chair Sponsored in Memory of Mary Roe

Bruce has been playing with the KWS since 1976. He has played with the St. Catherine’s Symphony, and Symphony Canada. Bruce developed a children’s solo show for Double Bass, which he has performed in schools across Canada. When not busy performing, Bruce enjoys photography, gardening, and listening to music.

© Kate L Photography | www.kateLphotography.com

Christian Paquette, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Rachel Smith-Spencer

French-Canadian flutist Christian Paquette is the principal flute of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra. He previously held the positions of Principal flute with the York Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. He is a doctoral candidate at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University under the tutelage of International soloist Marina Piccinini.  He has also worked in flute repairs with Adam Workman, founder of Flutistry Boston.  He has frequently performed back in his hometown of Ottawa, Canada with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Thirteen Strings Ensemble.  He was also the President of the Ottawa Flute Association from 2015 to 2017.

Christian has performed in the Shriver Hall Concert Series in Baltimore MD, Music and Beyond Festival, recitals at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage, Concerto performances with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra (Nielsen) under the baton of Miguel Harth-Bedoya, the University of Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (Ibert and Nielsen), and with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra (Rodrigo). He is the recipient of numerous competition awards, such as the MPIMC (Marina Piccinini International Master Classes) Concerto Competition, first prize at the Yale Gordon Competition, Canadian Music Competition, the National Music Festival, the NACO Bursary Competition and many others. For the past two summers, Christian was a Fellow in the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble. Past teachers include Paula Robison, Denis Bluteau, and Camille Churchfield.

Christian is extremely grateful to the Fondation Baxter et Alma Ricard as well as the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation for their generous support in his doctoral studies at the Peabody Institute.

Kevin O’Donnell
Chair Sponsor: Dorothee Retterath & Ric Hewson

A native of Scarborough, Kevin O’Donnell studied at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Orchestral Training Program, and the Banff Centre for the Arts.  He has studied privately with Toronto Symphony flutists Nora Shulman and Virginia Markson, Douglas Stewart of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, and in masterclasses in Canada and abroad with such international artists as Peter Lloyd, Geoffrey Gilbert, William Bennett, Walfrid Kujala, Julius Baker, and Carol Wincenc.

Kevin is pleased to be returning to a full-time position with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony for the 2018/2019 season.  He has worked steadily with the KWS since 1994, and has previously held the position of Second Flute/Piccolo from 1996-2000, and 2003-2004.  He has been featured as a soloist with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, as well as appearing on numerous recordings with both ensembles.

In addition to his work with the KWS, Kevin has also held the position of Principal Flute with Symphony Nova Scotia, and served as Acting Second Flute/Piccolo with the National Ballet of Canada (where he still performs regularly).

As a freelance artist, Kevin has been engaged by the National Ballet of Canada, the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, the Stratford Festival Orchestra, Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, Orchestra London, and has been a member of the Elora Festival Orchestra, Westben Festival Orchestra, and the Banff Festival Opera.

Lief Mosbaugh, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Carolyn Arnason & Boyd McDonald

Lief is thrilled to be joining the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony as Principal Oboe. He has previously held principal oboe positions with the Saskatoon and Regina Symphony Orchestras.
Lief studied at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory Of Music with Richard Dorsey and Sarah Jeffrey prior to his positions in Saskatchewan.
From 2013–2019, Lief has been an active freelancer in his native city of Toronto playing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, The National Ballet of Canada, Mirvish Productions, The National Arts Centre Orchestra and numerous other groups across the country and in the U.S.
He enjoys working with smaller chamber ensembles and has recorded and performed with the Smithsonian Chamber Players (Washington DC), his orchestral pop ensemble the Queer Songbook Orchestra and numerous indie rock bands as an oboist, violist and vocalist.
Lief is grateful for the opportunity to join the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony family.

Open Position
Chair Sponsor: Jean & Jan Narveson

Ross Edwards, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Edward & Susan Moskal

Ross Edwards is the Principal Clarinetist with the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony. He is a veteran of the Canadian orchestral scene, having held several Principal Clarinet positions since winning his first professional audition at age 19. When he was a youngster, he considered pursuing a career as a comedian or comedy writer! He discovered music as a teenager and was so fortunate to have had the very best teachers at every step of his training. Ross began his studies in his native Montreal and later continued in Chicago, Paris and Berlin. He has been a featured performer at several Chamber Music festivals throughout Canada and has also taught clarinet at Wilfrid Laurier University for the past 18 years. Ross is celebrating his 25^th season with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and has been a soloist with the orchestra on previous occasions in works by Mozart, Copland and Weber.

Barbara Hankins
Open Chair Sponsorship Opportunity

Barbara Hankins has been a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony since 1980 and performs regularly with the Licorice Allsorts Clarinet Quartet, the K-W Woodwind Quintet, and as a freelance performer.

Since 1972 she has taught clarinet, theory, and chamber music privately, in the public school system, and at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ms. Hankins holds a Bachelor of Music degree (performance, with Distinction) and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary, a Master of Music degree (performance) from the University of Toronto, and an Associateship Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), Toronto. She is a member of the Board of Examiners of the RCM.

Barbara is married to retired WLU Press computer technician Steve Izma and they have two daughters, Amelia and Gabrielle. She is a volunteer YMCA fitness instructor, sings with various local choirs, and enjoys gardening, cycling, pilates, hiking, and reading. She is active in the KWS Players’ Association, and is interested in Health and Safety issues and environmental sustainability.

Photo by: Ben Lariviere Photography

Ian Hopkin, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Frank & Helen Tompa

Ian Hopkin joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra as principal bassoonist in September 2012 after completing his Masters of Music at the University of Ottawa, where he was a student of Christopher Millard. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in 2009 before making the decision to change career paths. Since that decision, Mr. Hopkin has performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, has performed and toured with summer festival orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the National Academy Orchestra, L’Orchestre de la Francophonie, and has recorded with CBC on numerous occasions. He has participated in summer festivals including the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Youth Artist Program, Domaine Forget, Scotiafestival, and has received five awards from the Nova Scotia Talent Trust to support his studies.

Nicolas Richard
Chair Sponsor: Linda Ratcliffe & Basil McDonald

Nicolas Richard was appointed Second Bassoon of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony at the start of the 2022/23 season. He previously served as Principal Bassoon of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra and has enjoyed performing with Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, the National Ballet of Canada, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Kingston Symphony Orchestra, and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra.

Beyond his orchestral pursuits, Nicolas has appeared as a soloist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Ottawa Orchestra, performing works by W. A. Mozart and Julius Fučík. He won the second prize in the OSM Competition and is the first prize winner of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Bursary Competition, the Ottawa Symphony’s Sénécal-Mozart Prize, and the University of Ottawa’s Concerto Competition. Nicolas is a recipient of awards from the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation and the O’Brien Foundation.

Nicolas has spent summers in the United States at the Music Academy of the West and the National Repertory Orchestra. In Canada, he has spent summers with the National Academy Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.

Originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Nicolas completed a Master of Music Degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying with Benjamin Kamins. He received his Bachelor of Music at the University of Ottawa, where he studied with Christopher Millard and Richard Hoenich. Away from the bassoon, he enjoys running, reading the given week’s New Yorker, and is a big opera fan.

Martin Limoges, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Connie Deckert

A native of Montréal, Martin attended the Montréal Conservatory and was awarded First Prize in French Horn Performance and in Chamber Music. In 1988, Martin was a finalist in the Reims International Horn Competition, (Reims,France) as well as the American International Horn Competition (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) in 1991, the latter in the Natural Horn Division.

Solo performances have included engagements with Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse, I Musici de Montréal, Orchestre des Jeunes du Québec, Orchestre Baroque de Montréal, Amati Chamber Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra.

Martin has performed all of the Mozart Horn Concerti, the Mozart Symphony Concertante, the first Concerto of Haydn, the Quantz Horn Concerto, the Michael Haydn Concerto for Horn and Alto Trombone and the Joseph Haydn Concerto for two Horns, with renown solists Alain Trudel and Lowell Greer respectively, as well as the Telemann Horn Concerto and Schumann’s Konzertstuck. Martin was also invited to performed on baroque and natural horn at the Festival de Musique Baroque de Lamèque in New-Brunswick, the Smithsonian Chamber Players (Washington, D.C.), the Lyra Chamber Ensemble (St. Paul Minn.), the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, the Boston Bach Festival and l’Ensemble Arion in Québec.

In Febuary 2001, Martin played the Carl Maria von Weber Concerto in E Major with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, marking his eighth solo performance recorded live by the CBC for national broadcast. In October 1998, the composer Gilles Tremblay chose Martin to perform « Le Signe du Lion » (written for horn and tam-tam) at the prestigious « Governor General`s Arts Awards » broadcast from the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Martin has been Principal Horn of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra since 1990, and has recently joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, as Principal Horn in September of 2002.

Martin can be heard on CD on the Eclectra label performing the Brahms Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano with violinist Darren Lowe, (Concertmaster of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra) and Suzanne Beaubien on Piano. “Limoges is a splendid horn player, at once solid and lyrical of tone, with consummate breath control, sweet and true intonation…… this is worthy to be ranked among the best modern versions of the work.” Bernard Jacobs, FANFARE Magazine, March 2002.

Katherine Robertson
Chair Sponsor: Bob & Nola Williams

Katherine Robertson has been a member of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony since 2005. Previously, she was with the Orchestre Smphonique de Quebec, the Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg (Germany), the Winnipeg Symphony, and has worked extensively for the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Katherine received her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto, studying with Eugene Rittich and a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance from the Hochshule fur Music in Freiburg, studying with Ifor James. Katherine is currently a faculty member at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Marie-Sonja Cotineau
Open Chair Sponsorship Opportunity

Marie-Sonja Cotineau joins the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony after performing and teaching for several years in Fort Worth, Texas.  Formerly 4th horn of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, she has performed regularly with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Opera among many other orchestras across Canada and the United States, including on natural horn with Ensemble Caprice.

Ms. Cotineau has received several awards for horn performance, including the National Youth Orchestra of Canada Leadership award (twice), the Eugene Rittich Prize at the Domaine Forget International Music and Dance Academy, and the three-year Horizon Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival.

Marie-Sonja has performed throughout Canada, South America, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and Asia on tours of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, the McGill brass ensemble, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra respectively.

A native of Montreal, Marie-Sonja holds a Master’s degree in horn performance from McGill University where she was a student of John Zirbel.  Prior to that, she studied at Conservatoire de Musique de Québec with Julie-Anne Drolet, and Guy Carmichael.  She has been a fellow of the Aspen Music Festival, the Spoleto USA Music Festival, the Domaine Forget International Music and Dance Academy, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. She has also studied with David Cooper of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Deborah Stroh
Chair Sponsor: Jeff Ford & Susan Janke

Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, Debbie comes from a very musical family. Music lessons started early and by age 11 she was playing the piano, violin, accordion and guitar. However, none of these instruments were available in her high school music program so almost by default she ended up learning to play the French Horn at age 15.

After high school she went on to earn her Honours Bachelor of Music in Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University with a double major in Violin and French horn. Summers during her undergrad years were spent focusing on the French Horn at both the Banff Centre of Fine Arts and as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada where she received training from several well renowned teachers from both North America and Europe. Debbie went on to do a year of post grad work at McGill University and ended up staying in Montreal for the next 3 years after winning the position of Principal Horn with L’Orchestre des Jeunes du Quebec. She returned in the summer of 1989 to work at the Stratford Festival then in the fall of that year, moved to Toronto to play in the orchestra for The Phantom of the Opera where she met her husband Ernest Pattison, a Bass Trombone player.

During the (ten year!) run of Phantom, Debbie continued a very active freelance career playing with many different groups including The Toronto Symphony, The National Arts Centre Orchestra, The Canadian Opera Company, The National Ballet of Canada, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Toronto’s Esprit Orchestra, Orchestra London, The Hamilton Philharmonic and The K-W Symphony. Also during this time Debbie was busy in the studio scene playing on soundtracks for numerous movies, TV shows and jingles as well as playing for the shows of popular artists as they toured through the Toronto area. She was also a regular member of Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass from 1999 onwards.

After The Phantom closed in 1999 Debbie won a position in the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and stayed there for 3 more years until she came to join the K-W Symphony. Glad to be home, Debbie now lives here in Kitchener with her husband Ernest Pattison and their two wonderful children Russell and Joelle. Debbie likes to keep up on her violin by playing occasionally in church where she also shares the job of Organist. Summers are spent up in the Bancroft Area where she and Ernest own a 150-acre farm and run The Old Schoolhouse Tea Room in their restored early 1900’s one-room-schoolhouse, complete with a bell tower, antique woodstove, vintage oil lamps and a delicious menu!

Matheus Moraes, Principal

Chair Sponsor: Mrs. Marilyn Henderson

Originally from Brazil, Matheus Moraes received his Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet from Rio de Janeiro Federal University, where he studied with David Alves, and moved to Canada in 2017 to further his music education. He has since received a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Instrument from the University of British Columbia, where he is currently enrolled as a Doctoral Fellow in the Doctor of Musical Arts program under the tutelage of Larry Knopp.

Prior to joining the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Matheus held the position of section trumpet with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra and the Surrey City Orchestra, as well as the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater. An active performer in chamber music groups, Matheus is Vice-Chair of the Vancouver Brass Collective, founding member of the Vancouver Brass Orchestra, and has performed with several brass chamber groups in the Greater Vancouver area. He has spent summers with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Institute, the National Arts Center Orchestra Mentorship Program, and the National Academy Orchestra, where he received the Most Valuable Player award in 2022.

Matheus is honored and very excited about this opportunity to be joining the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

Daniel Warren
Chair Sponsor: Dr. Desta Leavine

Mr. Warren started his musical career as a trumpet player, joining the trumpet section of The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 1983. During his tenure with the KWS, he has been featured soloist on tour, performing the Phil Nimmons Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, a work written especially for him. This was subsequently recorded on a CBC SM5000 compact disc. Daniel was also the soloist for a national television broadcast performance of Johnny Cowell’s Concerto for Trumpet with the KWS.

Daniel Warren has toured extensively with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra throughout North, Central and South America, Spain, Holland, Switzerland, Germany and Great Britain. He has competed in solo trumpet competitions in Paris, Geneva and Munich, and was a finalist at the International Trumpet Guild’s “Ellsworth-Smith Trumpet Competition”. He resides in his owner-built home in a rural setting with his wife and two children.

Nathan Fanning, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Glen & Joan Dyrda

Nate Fanning joins the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony as Principal Trombone after several years as a freelance trombone player and teacher. Nate has played with some of Canada’s leading orchestras including but not limited to the Canadian Opera Company, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, Opera de Québec, Orchestre Classique de Montreal, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphonia.

His formal education started at Wilfrid Laurier University studying with Jay Castello and continued at the University of Toronto under Gordon Sweeney. While at U of T, Nate was a winner of the concerto competition in 2009. Upon completion of his Masters degree, Nate was accepted into and completed the Artist Diploma program at the prestigious Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music where he studied with Gordon Wolfe. A member of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada under the direction of Boris Brott for the 2009 and 2010 summer seasons, Nate has often been used as an extra or mentor with the orchestra since.

In 2015 Nate had the privilege of playing with Album and Group of the year winners The Arkells at the Juno awards in front of a nationally televised audience. Other artists Nate has shared the stage with include Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Grammy winners Evanescence and Sarah McLachlan, Billboard and Teen Choice Award winner Lindsey Stirling, Juno winner Johnny Reid, and Il Divo. A big highlight of Nate’s career was playing in the pit while his father John Fanning sang the lead role in the world premiere of Brian Finley’s Opera The Pencil Salesman under the direction of Dan Warren at the Westben Arts Festival in 2016. Nate is also the music director and Organist for Knox United Church in the town of Ayr.

When not practicing, performing or teaching, Nate loves watching sports (especially his beloved Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Browns, Tiger- Cats and Norwich FC) and spending time with his wife Amy and children Maggie and Matthew.

Rachel Thomas
Open Chair Sponsorship Opportunity

Raised in a musical family, Toronto-born Rachel Thomas has been playing trombone since the early age of nine. At thirteen, she studied and attended master classes with the renowned Canadian Brass. During high school, Rachel earned a position with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. She then began her studies at the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, studying with Gordon Sweeney, Principal Trombone of the Toronto Symphony. Her summers were spent either with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada or at the Banff Centre for the Arts where she was exposed to top international brass teachers and coaches.

Upon graduation from UofT in 1988, Rachel was immediately immersed into a busy freelance career. She joined the Great lakes Brass Quintet, a highly acclaimed, full time touring ensemble and performed as principal trombone with Orchestra London, Hamilton Philharmonic, Symphony Nova Scotia and toured with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

In 1992, she was awarded a Canada Council grant to study with Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic. Shortly after her return, Rachel won her position with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony as second trombone.

During her tenure with the KW Symphony, Rachel continues to be a highly sought after freelancer. She was a regular extra with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for over twenty years, joining them on two European Tours, one of which she had the privilege of performing as Acting Principal. In addition, Rachel joined the TS on two trips to Carnegie Hall and can be heard on two Finlandia recordings. More recently, Rachel performed with the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra as Acting Principal and participated in the International Women’s Brass Conference performing with the Monarch Brass Ensemble.

Also a member of the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Music since 2002, Rachel brings energy, enthusiasm and many years of experience to her teaching studio. She lives in Toronto with her partner and 2 daughters.

Doug Lavell
Open Chair Sponsorship Opportunity

Doug joined the KWS in 1979 while completing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto having arrived from the West Coast two years earlier.

Raised in Caulfeild he began at 10 to play euphonium with the West Vancouver Band, adding trombone in his teens then devoting himself to the bass trombone, inspired by backgrounds in a Neil Diamond song. Formative dues paying years followed with two ARCT diplomas and a year of college with Roy Cornick (a Salvation Army euphonium/trombone virtuoso) and Doug’s first professional job, a strip club band.

Serious orchestral study followed with Douglas Sparkes of the VSO, American soloist Donald Knaub and later in the east with Donald Miller, Frank Harmantas and Murray Crewe. A resident of Toronto, Doug has an active freelance career working with the opera and ballet orchestras, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, and various musicals.

While recently on leave from the KWS he studied with trombone jazz great Ian McDougall attaining a Master of Music from the University of Victoria.

Jen Stephen, Principal
Chair Sponsor: Linda Fabi

Jennifer Stephen grew up in Yellowknife, NT, where she began playing the tuba in grade 11 at Sir John Franklin Territorial High School. With an immediate passion for the instrument, she pursued her studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland, under the direction of bass trombonist Kenneth Knowles, before attending Bowling Green State University, where she studied with renowned tubist and trailblazer Velvet Brown. Upon returning to Canada, Jennifer furthered her education at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where she studied with Sasha Johnson.

Prior to joining the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony as Principal Tubist, Jennifer was and remains an active freelance tubist in Ontario and across the country, performing with ensembles such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, National Ballet Orchestra of Canada, the Calgary Philharmonic, the Esprit Orchestra, and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. She is a member of the Hannaford Street Silver Band, the Canadian Women’s Brass Collective, and a founding member of the Toronto Brass Quintet. She is an accomplished brass arranger with many of her works performed by brass ensembles in and around the GTA. Jennifer is a highly sought after chamber and session musician in Ontario, prolific in a wide variety of styles and genres. She has recorded for film and television, and appeared on Cris Derksen’s Juno-nominated Orchestral PowWow project. She has also recorded for such artists as Danny Michel, Owen Pallet, and others. With a passion for teaching, Jennifer has a busy private studio, is an in-demand clinician and has coached at the University of Toronto, University of Calgary and the Glenn Gould School. She has been on faculty at the National Music Camp of Canada since 2009.

A lover of the outdoors, Jennifer enjoys camping, canoeing and hiking with her husband Dan and two children, Jerome and Sylvia. She is also an avid vegetable gardener and adventurous cook.

Lori Gemmell
Chair Sponsored in Memory of Elton and Phyllis Papple

Lori Gemmell has been a musician all her life. Growing up in Montreal, as the child of a Presbyterian minister and a musically passionate mother, singing, and playing music were her natural state of being. She taught herself the flute in high school, played trumpet in the band, and spent her weekend mornings at harp lessons at L’ecole Vincent D’Indy.

University studies in Toronto with the renowned teacher and harpist Judy Loman were the obvious next step. Between an undergraduate and Masters’ degree from the University of Toronto, Lori played summers with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, studying with the octogenarian Alice Chalifoux, and a year in Paris, studying with Catherine Michel.
When she returned to Canada, Lori played on the only stage that was immediately available: the street corner. Busking in Toronto and Montreal, Lori gradually began building a career that took her to harp positions with Orchestra London, The Calgary Philharmonic, a chamber music residency at the Banff International Festival, on the frontlines of new music at the Darmstadt Festival in Germany and touring Europe and Japan with Montreal’s Nouvelle Ensemble Moderne.

In 1999, Lori won the position of Principal Harpist with the KWS, where she still plays today. One year later she was a prize-winner at the Canadian Concerto Competition. She also has been a teacher for many years, both with a private studio and a faculty position at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Lori has earned a strong reputation among Canadian Composers for her passion and dedication to their music. Over the years she has worked closely with R. Murray Schafer, Srul Irving Glick, John Weinzweig, Alexina Louie, Glenn Buhr, Marjan Mozetich, Jeff Ryan and many others.

In addition to all of that, Lori also makes time for playing and creating with others in small groups. In recent years she has made chamber music with Yo-Yo Ma, Joseph Silverstein, Sara Sant’Ambrogio, Jamie Parker, Joe Macerollo, Oliver Schroer, Mark Fewer, Robert Cram, Etsuko Kimura, Camille Watts, with singers Patricia O’Callaghan, Monica Wicher and Julie Nesrallah and Feist. She also plays in the Four Seasons Harp Quartet, and in her duo with Jennifer Swartz.

Lori has one solo recording, Prelude, and a harp duo recording, The Garden of Peacocks. She is married and lives in Toronto.