Massimo Guida, composer

Toronto-based Italian-Canadian composer, theorist, educator, and copyist Massimo Guida was born in Modena, Italy, in 1990, and has lived in Canada since 2008. He completed his doctoral studies in composition at the University of Toronto in 2019, under the supervision of Professor Christos Hatzis. Described by La Scena Musicale in 2012 as a composer who writes with “a particularly strong melodic inspiration,” Massimo seeks to combine his fondness for Italian melodic lyricism and storytelling with a contemporary musical language in his works. A multi-award-winning composer, in 2015 he won the Violet Archer Prize, for his song cycle Confessions (2014), as well as the Mississauga Festival Choir Competition for his choral work Infant Joy (2013), which was written for the birth of his nephew. Massimo’s compositions and arrangements have been performed and read in Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and the United States, by artists including the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brantford Symphony Orchestra, the North York Concert Orchestra, The Music4Life Ensemble, Fawn Chamber Creative, Slow Rise Music, The Odin Quartet, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, the Interro Quartet, the Bedford Trio, the Mississauga Festival Choir, the Fujita–Ko Duo, the GamUT Contemporary Ensemble, the University of Toronto Brass Ensemble, organist James Devor, Juno nominee Lindsay Schoolcraft, and pianist Alexander Panizza. He served as the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra New Generation Affiliate Composer during the 2020–21 season, and also took part at the Orford Music Academy in 2020. One of his piano compositions, Fantasia Sopra Sei Temi di Puccini (2021), is featured on Panizza’s album Everything Waits for the Lilacs, in collaboration with the SPO, which was  released in March 2024. A keen supporter of contemporary music in Canada, Massimo also served on the board of the Canadian League of Composers as an Ontario councillor between 2020 and 2022, and is an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre, as well as a Professional Member of the Canadian League of Composers.

(2024)
 

Zhiqi (Jimmy) Jin, composer

Jimmy Jin, born in 1996, is a composer, violinist, and music educator with a strong presence in both Canada and China. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Composition and working as a Theory Teaching Assistant at Western University, his work spans genres such as pop, contemporary, classical, folk, and jazz. Jimmy is passionate about composing for concert music, game soundtracks, and short film scores. Recently, he has focused on electroacoustic music, along with mixing and mastering. His diverse background reflects a deep passion for both traditional and modern musical forms, making him a versatile and innovative artist.
 (2024)

Daniel Lalonde, bass

Classical and Tango Double bassist, Daniel Lalonde, has recently won the position of Principal Bass of the Ontario Philharmonic. He is a sub with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Concert Orchestra, Amici Ensemble, Toronto Operetta Theatre, and other ensebles in the GTA . In 2015-16 Daniel was a member of the world touring crossover ensemble, Barrage 8, performing concerts, musical outreach and recording an album. He is also a part of a modern Argentinian Tango quintet called, Amarras, which performs regularly around Toronto.

Maria Molinari Composer

Trained as a classical guitarist, Maria Molinari began her composing career writing concert music for soloists, chamber groups, ballet and orchestras until her love of film, storytelling & collaboration drew her to film scoring. A melodically driven composer, Maria’s love of film scores began with the tuneful, soaring themes of John Williams and the haunting harmonies of Thomas Newman. She cites among her strongest influences the music of Prokofiev, Debussy, Stravinsky, Arvo Pärt, Jerry Goldsmith and Dario Marianelli.

Maria recently composed the score for the bold critically acclaimed anthology film TO THE NEW GIRL. Based on playwright Samantha Macher’s celebrated female-driven stage production of the same name the award-winning film features an all-female creative team & cast. Her music can been heard in the score for the feature film END OF DAYS, INC. starring Mark O’Brien (CITY ON A HILL) and the theme for the forensic series MOTIVES & MURDERS: CRACKING THE CASE. She has provided additional music for the MARVEL COMICS based sci-fi syndicated series MUTANT X and the retro musical comedy series GETTING ALONG FAMOUSLY. Maria’s screen projects have enjoyed international broadcast as well as winning awards and playing at celebrated festivals including TRIBECA, VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, MONTREAL WORLD FILM FESTIVAL, BLOOD IN THE SNOW FESTIVAL and the CANADIAN FILM CENTRE WORLDWIDE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL. 

​Critically acclaimed violinist MOSHE HAMMER, the VICTORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA dancer/choreographer Stephanie Hutchison have premiered Maria’s concert works. Her prizewinning setting of ‘Willow Song’ from Shakespeare’s OTELLO in the STRATFORD FESTIVAL OF CANADA’S Composition Competition for Young Composers; an arrangement of the song for symphony orchestra and soprano soloist was subsequently commissioned and premiered by the GUELPH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Maria’s virtuosic three movement violin and piano work TRE PEZZI PER VIOLINO E PIANOFORTE has been performed internationally; its exciting movement DANZA has been released by the piano and violin MATHIEU-CHUA DUO on the Centrediscs/Centredisques label.  Occasionally the film and concert music worlds collide as they did in a commission to compose original scores for the classic silent films THE PAWN SHOP (Charlie Chaplin) and MIGHTY LIKE A MOOSE (Charley Chase).  Performed live by the CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF MISSISSAUGA the scores were received enthusiastically at a live performance to screenings of the films at the MISSISSAUGA LIVING ARTS CENTRE.

Maria studied composition at the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO with Alexander Rapoport, and film scoring at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES with iconic film composers ELMER BERNSTEIN, LEONARD ROSENMAN, DAVID RAKSIN & CHRISTOPER YOUNG.  

Maria is both a Canadian citizen and a citizen of the European Union.

Thomas Torok, piano

Thomas Torok

Celebrated for his imaginative playing and virtuosic stage presence, young Canadian pianistThomas Torok has already established himself as one of Canada’s brightest upcoming talents.The award winning artist has earned international recognition for his musicianship as a finalist in the MostArts Piano Competition 2014, and the New York International Piano Competition 2016, as well as being a silver medalist in the Vienna International Music Competition 2019. Most recently, Thomas was a finalist in the first ever series of Classicalia, a new televised competition aimed at promoting the best young classical artists across the globe. 


Already performing in such esteemed venues around the world such as Carnegie Hall and the Wiener Konzerthaus, recent performance engagements have taken him to renowned Canadian venues such as Toronto’s Koerner Hall and the Canadian Opera Company’s Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre. Thomas made his orchestral debut as a soloist at age fifteen, and has since then performed together with several orchestras including the Academy Chamber Orchestra, the Toronto Concert Orchestra, the Huronia Symphony, as well as the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, to name a few.

With his recent orchestral engagements, Thomas has collaborated and studied with some of Canada’s most preeminent conductors including Claudio Vena, Earl Lee, Oliver Balaburski, Ivars Taurins, Kerry Stratton and Jennifer Tung. Thomas’s performances have been broadcast on numerous radio and television stations across Canada and the United States, including WRTI Philadelphia, PBS SoCal, The New Classical 102.9 FM, and Yamaha Canada’s “Going Solo” podcast.

Born in Hungary in 1998 and raised in a culture where the love for music and the performing arts was predominant, Thomas began piano lessons at the age of six. After he and his family immigrated to Canada, Thomas began his formal musical education at the The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Young Artists Academy (Phil and Eli Taylor Academy for Young Artists) with renowned pianist Li Wang. He completed his Bachelors degree in 2022 at the Glenn Gould School studying with James Anagnoson, one of Canada’s most sought after pedagogues.

As an avid soloist in the international masterclass scene, Thomas has played for and studied with several world-renowned artists such as Stephen Hough, Emanuel Ax, Ronan O’Hora, John O’Connor, Andre Laplante, Marc Durand, Stephen Prutsman, Anton Nel, and John Perry. Additional summer studies have taken place at the Miami International Piano Festival, and the Philadelphia Young Pianists Academy at the Curtis Institute of Music. As a current full scholarship student, Thomas is pursuing his Artist Diploma at the Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School.

Maghan McPhee

Maghan McPhee is a revered lyric coloratura soprano thanks to her sensitive artistry, precise musicianship, and luscious instrument. She is adept with standard rep and highly sought after for premiering new works by established contemporary composers such as Monica Pearce, Andrew Ager and Daniel Mehdizadeh. Her soaring soprano suits the difficulty and high tessitura of many Mozart roles including his concert arias and main characters from his most notable operas. Other signature roles include Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen, and Berta in Rossini’s Barbiere di Siviglia where she made her mark and “immediately had the public holding their
breath during her brief but remarkable solo”(LeDroit).


An accomplished concert performer, she has sung at Carnegie Hall, and with notable orchestras including Thirteen Strings, Symphony Nova Scotia, The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the American Symphony Orchestra. A regular with the National Art Centre Orchestra, she worked with Alexander Shelley in Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream along with acclaimed actor Colm Fiore, was the soprano soloist in their Messiah and was recently featured in their recent Christmas Playlist concert with Jean-Marie Zeitouni. Ms. McPhee launched her debut recording “Portrait” with pianist Parvaneh Eshghi, to great reviews: “[Maghan has] full command of her instrument, precise in her attacks, and stylish in her approach to the songs…” -Barcza Blog.


Maghan is a curious artist and forever dedicated to her passion for exploring the human voice’s power and possibility. She imparts the training she received in New York and holds a virtual studio with students all over the country and abroad. She is the founding executive director of Breno Italy International Music Academy. BIIMA is celebrating its 10th season enabling participants to awaken their artistry in an idyllic and nurturing setting in voice, piano, choral and composition. biimaperformance.com

Gilles Thibodeau, French Horn

Gilles Thibodeau grew up in the small 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. Mr. Thibodeau would like to encourage everyone to speak up for the support of music in our public schools, without which he, and many of his colleagues, would have never discovered the magical world of classical music.

Matt Antal

Matthew Antal is a violist born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where he began playing viola at age 12 because he was told “you look like a violist”. He holds a bachelor’s degree in viola performance from the University of Toronto under Katharine Rapoport and a master’s degree in viola performance from the University of Victoria under Joanna Hood. Matthew is a regular performer with several music ensembles including Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra/Opera Atelier, Theatre of Early Music, Elixir Ensemble, and Odin Quartet. He also holds an advanced certificate in early music performance from the University of Toronto where he studied with Patrick Jordan and Stefano Marcocchi.

Vanessa Yu, pianist

Named one of CBC Music’s top 30 emerging musicians under 30, Toronto-based pianist Vanessa Yu is establishing herself as a sensitive and vibrant musician. As the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Pacific Rim International Music Festival, she was invited to perform at Carnegie’s Weill Hall in New York City.

Vanessa has presented solo and chamber programs for the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra’s NewGen series, Confluence Concerts, Chautauqua Institution, and the University of Toronto’s Thursdays at Noon series. Most recently, Vanessa gave solo recitals for the International Holland Music Sessions in the Netherlands and the Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation in Canada. Other performances have taken her to Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, the United States, and across Canada. Vanessa has had recordings nationally broadcasted on CBC Music, in addition to being featured on OMNI Television and 680 News. As a finalist at the Classicalia competition, her performance at the Vienna Konzerthaus was televised by PBS SoCal and Stingray Classica.

A seasoned concerto soloist, Vanessa has performed Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Rimsky-Korsakov concerti with the Central Texas Philharmonic, Vienna Opera Ball, Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber, Mississauga Symphony, Oakville Chamber, York Symphony, Burlington Symphony, North York Concert, and Etobicoke Philharmonic orchestras. Upcoming engagements include performances of Saint-Saëns’s Fifth Concerto with the Toronto Concert, Scarborough Philharmonic, and Kindred Spirits orchestras.
Garnering awards in Canada and beyond, Vanessa has received top prizes at the Chicago and Città di San Donà di Piave international competitions, among others. Recently, she was the youngest contestant and prizewinner at both the 2023 Eisemann International Young Artists Competition and the 2022 Thousand Islands International Piano Competition, as well as the Grand Prize winner of the 2023 International Music Festival and Competition held in Ontario.

Vanessa recently graduated from the BMusPerf program at the University of Toronto where she was a full merit scholarship student under the tutelage of Steven Philcox and formerly Enrico Elisi. She will be starting graduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University this fall as a student of Boris Slutsky.

Inspired by her mentors, Vanessa enjoys teaching; her students have won awards at competitions including the OMFA provincials. She has recently taught masterclasses at the Orrett Music Academy and Berkovsky-Solomon Academy of Music, and adjudicated for the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA)’s Central Toronto auditions.

As an avid designer, Vanessa is also a calligrapher and bullet journalist, and has taught workshops for partners including Google.

amuna baraka-clarke

Amuna Baraka-Clarke
Amuna Baraka-Clarke

Poet, Storyteller, Community Organizer

amuna baraka-clarke is striving to leave the world more beautiful than she inherited it.  She is a published poet and award winner who has been featured in various anthologies, textbooks, documentaries and magazines.  She is a strong supporter of cultural arts production and inclusive communities where different perspectives can take flight.  amuna dances every single day and is never not thinking about travel.