International Music Festival and Competition

07/25/2026

YOUNG ARTIST MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Inspiring the next generation of orchestral leaders

For High-School Musicians (Grades 9–12)The Kindred Spirits Orchestra (KSO) in Markhaminvites passionate young musicians to join the Young Artist Mentorship Program (YAMP), a premier tuition-free orchestral training opportunity for advanced high-school instrumentalists across the York Region.

Instruments
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet)
Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone)
Percussion, Piano, Harp

Why Join?
- Rehearse side-by-side with professional musicians
- Weekly orchestral rehearsals on Tuesday 7 pm – 10 pm
- Sectional coaching with leading artists
- One-on-one mentorship and personalized feedback
- Perform monthly concert in major concert halls
- Study full symphonic repertoire
- Leadership and ensemble development
- University and conservatory audition preparation
- Earn community service hours required for the OSSD

Program Benefits
- Develop advanced musicianship and orchestral skills
- Build confidence, discipline, and professionalism
- Gain real-world performance experience
- Become part of a supportive, inspiring artistic community

Who Should Apply?
• Talented high-school musicians (Grades 9–12)
• Instrumentalists seeking rigorous, high-level orchestral training

Auditions are held by appointment.

Learn More & ApplyWebsite: www.KSOrchestra.ca
Email: [email protected]

07/14/2026

07/05/2026

CHRISTINA SIEVERS RECEIVES THE GRAND PRIZE IN PERFORMANCE OF THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION

In a sold-out red-carpet Awards Ceremony and Gala Concert at the Isabel Bader Theatre - Toronto, the International Music Festival and Competition (IMFC) awarded musicians from Canada, the USA, and Mexico for their performances during a 3-week long event that took place earlier in May.

A jury panel of professional musicians and professors from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the University of Toronto, York University, and the Royal Conservatory of Music listened to close to 900 performances of pieces written for piano, violin, cello, guitar, voice, percussion, and woodwind instruments, as well as newly written compositions by Canadian composers.

The jury has awarded 595 Gold, 174 Silver, and 67 Bronze medals, 106 trophies, and 49 scholarships. In addition, 104 Competitors have advanced to the Ontario Provincial Music Competition and 32 Competitors have been recommended to the National Music Competition.

The 2026 IMFC Grand Prize for performance was awarded to violinist CHRISTINA SIEVERS.

First Place in Performance was awarded to: George Gernega (cello), Gregory Vandikas (piano), Karston Ho Yip Lam (viola), Rachel Jin (oboe), Xinru Lai (violin), Xuanchen Zhu (piano).

Second Place in Performance was awarded to: Hadam Bang (piano), Titus Lam (piano), Xinyi Ran (piano), Yuting Feng (piano).

Third Place in Performance was awarded to: Alicia Zhu (violin), Haochuan Guo (clarinet), Ivan Hin Ip Liu (piano), Jaewon Kwon (violin), Qiran Fu (piano), Xiayuan Bai (piano), Yige Chen (piano), Yushin Kim (violin).

The International Music Academy Prize for most promising pianist was awarded to Christian Sievers. The Kindred Spirits Orchestra Award for the performing arts was awarded to George Gernega. The Long and McQuade Award for most promising guitarist was awarded to Daniel Avetisyan. The Pirastro Prize for most promising violist is awarded to Karston Ho Yip Lam. The Steinway Award for most promising pianist is awarded to Xuanchen Zhu. The Merriam Music Award for most promising vocalist is awarded to Rishima Bansal.

Complete list of the winners is published at

2026 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION WINNERS 2026 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION GRAND PRIZE - PERFORMANCE The results will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on June 28, 2026 2026 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION GRAND PRIZE - COMPOSITION The results will be announced at the Awards Ce...

06/26/2026

DIALOGUES ACROSS TIME
Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Cornell Recital Hall
3201 Bur Oak Ave., Markham ON L6B 0T2

Spanning more than two centuries of musical creativity, this recital showcases the artistry and individuality of a new generation of performers through a rich and varied program of masterworks for cello, violin, and piano. From the elegant architecture of Bach and Schubert to the poetic drama of Chopin, the impressionistic colours of Debussy, and the virtuoso brilliance of Wieniawski and Liszt, the program explores a wide spectrum of musical expression. Ligeti’s evocative Sonata for Solo Cello and Kapustin’s exhilarating fusion of classical and jazz idioms provide striking twentieth-century perspectives, while works by Beethoven and Schumann reveal the enduring power of the Romantic tradition. Together, these performances celebrate both the diversity of the classical repertoire and the remarkable talent of emerging artists.

J.S. Bach, Partita no. 1 in B-flat Major, BWV 825 (Praeludium)
F. Chopin, Ballade no.1 in G Minor, op. 23
N. Kapustin, Eight Concert Etudes, op. 40, no. 8 (Finale)
Micah Lam, piano

F. Schubert, Sonata for Violin and Piano in A major, D. 574 (1st and 2nd movements)
H. Wieniawski, Polonaise Brillante No. 2 in A major, op. 21
Christina Sievers, violin | Aidan Cheng, piano

György Ligeti: Sonata for Cello Solo (I. Dialogo, II. Capriccio)
R. Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 (I. Nicht zu schnell)
Vivian Hu, cello | Aidan Cheng, piano

Cl. Debussy, Préludes (book 1: nos. 10, 11, and 12)
Fr. Chopin, Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major
Isabella Lu, piano

L. van Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 27, op. 90 (1st movement)
Cl. Debussy, Reflets dans l'eau (from "Images", book 1)
F. Liszt, Paraphrase de concert sur 'Rigoletto', S.434
Tiffany Feng, piano

06/06/2026

LAVAZZA INCLUCITY FESTIVAL
presented by Rogers

Toronto’s fav outdoor film fest is back!

🎬 From June 25 to July 19, The Lavazza IncluCity Festival, presented by Rogers, transforms the Distillery Historic District into a dreamy cinema village. Tickets include films, food, drinks, concerts, AI art exhibit access & more! All from your favourite outdoor couches 🎟️



Visit www.icff.ca for more info 💫

04/05/2026

TICKETS: KSOrchestra.ca

04/05/2026

ARCHITECTURE AND CONVERSATIONS
Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Cornell Recital Hall
3201 Bur Oak Ave, Markham

Karl Jenkin’s Palladio takes inspiration from the eponymous sixteenth-century architect Andrea Palladio. Jenkins himself notes that “Two of Palladio’s hallmarks are mathematical harmony and architectural elements borrowed from classical antiquity,” and Jenkins himself structures the music based on similar mathematic proportions.

Inspired by the famous Brandenburg Concertos, the Concerto in E-flat (Dumbarton Oaks) was the last piece that Stravinsky wrote before emigrating to America in 1939. The piece inspires the idea of a musical conversation, with each of the instruments appearing as its own character.

The concert concludes with Britten’s Variations of a theme by Frank Bridge, a set of ten variations written as a tribute to Britten’s teacher; each theme is intended to represent one aspect of Bridge’s personality.

Jenkins, Palladio concerto grosso for strings
Stravinsky, Concerto in Es “Dumbarton Oaks”
Britten, Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge

Kristian Alexander | conductor
Andrew James Clark | host

TIckets: KSOrchestra.ca | 905.604.8339

03/12/2026

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra will present a program they’re calling Virtuosity and Revolution, featuring 20th century music by three composers with music that helped to define the era.

03/08/2026

Manuel de Falla’s El Sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat), Suite No. 2 draws on Andalusian folk traditions, flamenco idioms, and the expressive depth of cante jondo, originally conceived for ballet with sets by Pablo Picasso.

Acclaimed Italian pianist Antonio Di Cristofano then performs Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major — a vibrant fusion of jazz, folk colour, and classical elegance.

The program concludes with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 12, a strikingly programmatic work that stands apart from much of his symphonic output.

Kristian Alexander | conductor
Antonio Di Cristofano | pianist
Daniel Vnukowski | host

7:10 p.m. Prélude: pre-concert recital
7:20 p.m. Pre-concert talk
Intermission discussion & Q&A with Antonio Di Cristofano and Daniel Vnukowski

Tickets: KSOrchestra.ca

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, we are pleased to offer an 18% discount on tickets for the Virtuosity and Revolution concert on March 21. When you click “Buy Tickets,” you will be taken to the Ticketmaster seating chart. Select the “Unlock” button and enter promo code CNY18 to access this special offer. The number 18 is considered highly auspicious in Chinese culture, symbolizing a sure path to good fortune—and we are delighted to share that good fortune with you.