Past Concerts

Valentyn Zadoianov is a distinguished concert performer, guitar teacher, and composer. (Originally from Ukraine) Holding a higher education degree, he has toured globally, engaging in concerts and creative expeditions. He has published 12 collections of original music for guitar and recorded 12 albums across various styles, including classical, ethnic, medieval and modern styles.
For many years, Valentyn worked as a teacher at a music college in Ukraine. He trained many fine musicians who went on to become true professionals. He also performed as a soloist with symphony and chamber orchestras.
Since relocating to Canada, Valentyn performed as a solo artist and also assembled and led several projects: the "Two Families Band" and the "Family Duo."
Valentyn and his bands participated in prestigious events such as the Niagara Jazz Festival, Dundas Cactus Festival, Toronto Ukrainian Festival, Niagara Music Festival, Hamilton “Music and Motion,” “It’s Your Festival,” and the CMCTV Talent Show and etc.
Valentyn continues to work with students in Ontario music schools and as a private instructor. He participates in Hamilton Philharmonic music programs. He is a regular performer with the Momentum Choir, and a member of the Toronto Shevchenko Mandolin Orchestra.
His new, unique solo project was the official album "The Minstrel Plays the Beatles".

Introduction to "The Minstrel Plays The Beatles":

”Many people may be sure that you already know everything about The Beatles’ music. But I invite you to listen to their music in a completely different way—through another lens, from a new angle, in a very unexpected form. How would The Beatles’ music sound in the Middle Ages, in ancient castles and on market squares? How would it sound in the tradition of Celtic folk art? How would it sound in the eras of the Renaissance and Classicism? And how would it sound if all these styles were combined with modern and jazz inflections? You will find the answers to these questions in my new original solo guitar project. Being a passionate Beatles fan since childhood, I have finally brought my long-held dream to life: I have written unique original arrangements of several Beatles songs. These arrangements unite all of the styles mentioned above. And believe me—traveling through the centuries to distant ancient times, The Beatles’ music has never sounded so new!

Satyaki Dutta is a distinguished Sarod artist representing the Shahjahanpur Gharana of Indian classical music. The Sarod, a North Indian classical instrument from the lute family, traces its lineage to the Rabab of Afghanistan. Characterized by its fretless metal fingerboard, the Sarod features eight main strings and fifteen sympathetic strings, producing a deep, resonant tone that is both lyrical and percussive. Satyaki received rigorous training under the legendary Padmabhushan Pandit Buddhadev DasGupta, the eminent maestro of the Senia-Shahjahanpur Gharana and subsequently continued his artistic journey under Pandit Sugato Nag, a distinguished Sitar virtuoso, and Ustad Irfan Muhammad Khan, the Khalifa (head) of the Lucknow-Shahjahanpur Gharana. In addition to his musical pursuits, Satyaki holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics and resides in Westchester County, New York. He is a member of the Westchester Musicians’ Guild and a rostered artist with Concerts in Motion (NYC), an organization dedicated to bringing live, personalized music to older adults, veterans, Holocaust survivors, individuals with disabilities or mental illness, and those experiencing housing insecurity or hospitalization. Satyaki is a recipient of the ArtsAlive Artists’ Grants (2021 and 2024) awarded by Arts Westchester, and the 2023 New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Support for Artists Grant. With these, he presented his project “The Raga Experience”, aimed at fostering greater awareness and appreciation of Raga music among both Indian and global audiences. 

Parag Dhadphale is a seasoned Tabla player guided by esteemed gurus Dr. Sandhya Kale, Pandit Suresh Samant, Late Pandit Sudhir Mainkar, and Taalmani Praveen Karkare. He has performed in Tabla solo concerts and has accompanied vocalists, instrumentalists, and Kathak dance performances across India, UAE, UK and Canada- demonstrating his versatility and ability to collaborate with musicians across various genres. He has performed in concerts organized by the Government of Maharashtra Culture Department, Indian Consulate Dubai, Raagmala Toronto, Kabir Center Montreal and many more. Parag's passion goes beyond performance; he has conducted workshops, lecture-demonstrations and has directed rhythm for various classical and contemporary programs. Parag has established the organization 'Naad,' dedicated to teaching and promoting the art of Tabla with a commitment to passing the art form to the next generation. Having as well a dual master’s degrees in engineering and construction law and as well as chartered status from UK, Australia, Canada and India, Parag's is a multifaceted individual that dedicates himself to various pursuits.

Teuvo Taimioja is one of the most promising and compelling guitarists of his generation. He has premiered approximately 30 new works for guitar, including solo, chamber, and concerto compositions. In addition to contemporary music, he is actively engaged as a performer of early music on period instruments, as well as an interpreter of the established classical repertoire. He performs regularly in Finland and internationally, including in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Scotland

Taimioja has played concerts in events such as Musica Nova, Luosto Soi, Pauhu, Norpas, WhatEverWorks-festival, Tampering Festival, Joutsentanssi, Oulu’s Guitar Festival, Joensuun kitarakevät, KitaraNova-festival and UNM-festival, the last of which the Finnish National Broadcasting Company recorded. He is the founder and one of the artistic directors of the KitaraNova-festival and serves as the Vice President of Kitara Novary.

In 2022, Taimioja’s exceptional talent was recognized with a third prize at the North East Scotland classical guitar music award competition. In 2019, he was not just a participant, but the audience’s favorite at Tampere’s guitar competition. The Martin Wegelius foundation, in 2023, bestowed upon him a recognition award, a testament to his outstanding contributions to the world of music. SKR, Taike and MES have also supported his artistic work. Beyond his concert performances, Taimioja shares his knowledge and passion for music as a teacher at Luoteis-Helsingin musiikkiopisto.

Bilal Nasser is a Palestinian-Canadian guitarist, composer, activist, and harm reduction worker from Windsor On. Raised in a family of primarily Palestinian refugees, he has been a participant in the Palestinian solidarity movement since childhood. His political and musical upbringings developed in tandem through his discovery of punk rock around the time of the 2008 Gaza wars and the later Arab spring uprisings. To Nasser, there is no separation between art and politics, while at the same time he maintains that art itself is not resistance itself devoid of collective political action.

Bilal was trained as a classical guitarist from a young age, and went on to win awards in composition and performance. While his technique is informed by his classical guitar background, Nasser’s music occurs as a frenetic juxtaposition of musical influences mainly rooted in a DIY ethos, namely in post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore, and drone. Nasser is deliberate through his immersion in underground musical cultures existing outside the boundaries established by the classical music world. Through his work, Nasser actively rejects the sterility and rigidity of institutional convention, bridging seemingly antithetical genres to cultivate new capacities for candid innovation- consequently realizing a distinct musical voice, coloured by his liminal exploration of both canonical and underground realms. 

His use of electronics, effects pedals, home-made skateboard drone machines, tape loops and singing and screaming into his amplified guitar firmly situate his practice outside of the tradition of solo-guitar performance. He is the first known classical guitarist to have a mosh-pit at a concert. His performances often take place in unconventional settings like skateparks, dive bars, book stores, and warehouses. This is as much a class-conscious as an aesthetic choice, situating his practice in community while prioritizing access over formality.

In 2021 Nasser set a new precedent for classical composition with the release of his first full-length solo album Where the Orange Groves Grow, consisting of works for solo classical guitar, voice, and electronics. Orange Groves traverses a broad aesthetic range from sprawling, long-form solo guitar pieces depicting tales from the Palestinian diaspora of loss and memory, to frenzies of looped noise and violence. 

In 2023 Bilal recorded his sophomore record, How Can We Say Nothing. Written and recorded before the ongoing genocide of Gaza and south Lebanon by the zionsist entity in 2023, it was not meant to be an overtly political project. The title, How Can We Say Nothing, was a personal rather than a political statement, which was accompanied by a photo of his late grandparents in Mecca as the cover. Upon it’s release in 2024, the album took a new meaning as an urgent outcry for mobilization- asking audiences to interrogate their own inaction in a time of forever wars and genocide. 

Nasser toured extensively across Canada in support of How Can We Say Nothing, playing alongside acts including OBMIGIIZI, Atsuko Chiba, Horse Jumper of Love, Efrim Menuck, and One Leg One Eye, and at festivals including River and Sky, and Intersection. His work has been featured in Musicworks, Dominionated, CBC, NPR, and on Bell Fibe.

Nasser’s practice interrogates the inherent contradictions within the diaspora experience. He grapples with what he views as the inescapable hypocrisy of making political art from the imperial core, while those on the front lines of what Mohammed Abdou describes as the “end-times wars” engage in direct resistance. Whether “resistance art” is futile in a time of genocide is still a tension that remains ever-present in Nasser’s work. At the same time, he recognizes the utility of art as a communal, spiritual, and organizational tool towards ends of liberation as embodied by Ghassan Kanafani, Marcel Khalife, and Mohammed El Kurd.

Teuvo Taimioja is one of the most promising and compelling guitarists of his generation. He has premiered approximately 30 new works for guitar, including solo, chamber, and concerto compositions. In addition to contemporary music, he is actively engaged as a performer of early music on period instruments, as well as an interpreter of the established classical repertoire. He performs regularly in Finland and internationally, including in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Scotland

Taimioja has played concerts in events such as Musica Nova, Luosto Soi, Pauhu, Norpas, WhatEverWorks-festival, Tampering Festival, Joutsentanssi, Oulu’s Guitar Festival, Joensuun kitarakevät, KitaraNova-festival and UNM-festival, the last of which the Finnish National Broadcasting Company recorded. He is the founder and one of the artistic directors of the KitaraNova-festival and serves as the Vice President of Kitara Novary.

In 2022, Taimioja’s exceptional talent was recognized with a third prize at the North East Scotland classical guitar music award competition. In 2019, he was not just a participant, but the audience’s favorite at Tampere’s guitar competition. The Martin Wegelius foundation, in 2023, bestowed upon him a recognition award, a testament to his outstanding contributions to the world of music. SKR, Taike and MES have also supported his artistic work. Beyond his concert performances, Taimioja shares his knowledge and passion for music as a teacher at Luoteis-Helsingin musiikkiopisto.

A fundraiser to benefit the concert series.

Neha Mahajan is a sitarist from the Beenkar Gharana, a renowned family tradition in Raga Music emerging from the stroking style of the B. She performs Raga, the melodic system at the heart of Indian music, in the Kharaj-Pancham Baaj style, which highlights deep, resonant tones. Trained by her father, Shri Vidur Mahajan, and currently under Ustad Zunain Khan, Neha blends classical tradition with creative innovation and expression. She has performed with Grammy-winning artist Ricky Martin and was awarded the Sitarvadak Yuva Puraskar (2025). With a Master’s in Philosophy, Neha invites audiences to explore the beauty, emotion, and timeless resonance of Raga Music.

Zaheer Abbas is a Toronto-based tabla player and student of Ustad Allarakha’s senior disciple, Shri Prafulla Athalye. He has performed across Canada in a variety of classical, semi-classical, and contemporary settings, and has accompanied many leading artists in the Canadian performing arts landscape. Zaheer-Abbas brings the tradition of tabla to new contexts through his diverse artistic collaborations and projects.

Neha Mahajan is a sitarist from the Beenkar Gharana, a renowned family tradition in Raga Music emerging from the stroking style of the B. She performs Raga, the melodic system at the heart of Indian music, in the Kharaj-Pancham Baaj style, which highlights deep, resonant tones. Trained by her father, Shri Vidur Mahajan, and currently under Ustad Zunain Khan, Neha blends classical tradition with creative innovation and expression. She has performed with Grammy-winning artist Ricky Martin and was awarded the Sitarvadak Yuva Puraskar (2025). With a Master’s in Philosophy, Neha invites audiences to explore the beauty, emotion, and timeless resonance of Raga Music.

Zaheer Abbas is a Toronto-based tabla player and student of Ustad Allarakha’s senior disciple, Shri Prafulla Athalye. He has performed across Canada in a variety of classical, semi-classical, and contemporary settings, and has accompanied many leading artists in the Canadian performing arts landscape. Zaheer-Abbas brings the tradition of tabla to new contexts through his diverse artistic collaborations and projects.

Eiyn Sof is a Waterloo-based musical artist who performs original folk-akin songs about the mythic and imaginal realms. She is a long-time home recordist who has released multiple albums independently, as well as on Blue Fog Recordings, Ur Audio Visuals and Arachnidiscs. 

Her highly anticipated LP release Acid Ribbon Wreath is already turning heads and capturing national attention.

Through Acid Ribbon Wreath, Eiyn Sof crafts an ethereal journey which transports the listener to a wonderful and fantastical world.

Alex Ring is a local musician and composer, born in St. Catharines. He continues to live here with his young family, working as an elementary school teacher with the DSBN. His principal instrument is the violin, playing solo and with local collective The Northern Arm and bass with Frontwards. As a solo artist, he primarily plays the violin with other sound sources, including sine-wave oscillators, guitar, etc. His recorded music involves manipulation of found sources, along with “traditional” instrumentation. Layering is a key component to his sound, resulting in everything from minimalist drone to dense soundscapes and “noise”.

Eiyn Sof is a Waterloo-based musical artist who performs original folk-akin songs about the mythic and imaginal realms. She is a long-time home recordist who has released multiple albums independently, as well as on Blue Fog Recordings, Ur Audio Visuals and Arachnidiscs. 

Her highly anticipated LP release Acid Ribbon Wreath is already turning heads and capturing national attention.

Through Acid Ribbon Wreath, Eiyn Sof crafts an ethereal journey which transports the listener to a wonderful and fantastical world.

Alex Ring is a local musician and composer, born in St. Catharines. He continues to live here with his young family, working as an elementary school teacher with the DSBN. His principal instrument is the violin, playing solo and with local collective The Northern Arm and bass with Frontwards. As a solo artist, he primarily plays the violin with other sound sources, including sine-wave oscillators, guitar, etc. His recorded music involves manipulation of found sources, along with “traditional” instrumentation. Layering is a key component to his sound, resulting in everything from minimalist drone to dense soundscapes and “noise”.

Beauvais has written and arranged music for Mezzo-soprano Maria Soulis and violinist Joyce Lai, which is collected on a CD titled Golden Branches – Silver Leaves. He has toured with Jeunesse Musicale Canada, and performed in hundreds of schools through the Toronto Symphony Education program. Beauvais taught at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Queen’s University, the University of Windsor and at York University. His music has been heard all over the world, and he is an associate of the Canadian Music Centre. 

Described as “one of today’s most exciting young artists to see perform live” (Twisted Spruce Music Foundation) and “with impeccable technique and a sensitivity overflowing with subtlety,” (Cartagena Guitar Festival), internationally-acclaimed Italian-American guitarist Marisa Sardo has emerged as an extraordinary activist, teacher, and concert artist “with her remarkable control of the guitar and exquisite dynamics” (Texas Guitar Society).

Marisa is an active musician in music scenes all over the world, having performed in 5 continents and over 25 countries as a featured solo performer. She has performed in numerous world-renowned venues as a guest soloist, including the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Casa Museu Ema Klabin in Sao Paulo, Concerti del Tempietto in Rome, Casa Gentil in Bogota, El Sawy Culturewheel in Cairo, and Higashi Ward Cultural Center in Hiroshima, among others. Her unique programs include a variety of diverse music, including music from Europe, African music, music from South America, music written by women, world premieres, and music written for her. She began playing at the age of 4, and at a young age, she began a professional career as a musician and concert artist. Her first concert given for an international audience was at 6 years old, and now at 28 years old, her outreach has achieved global recognition.

Described as “one of today’s most exciting young artists to see perform live” (Twisted Spruce Music Foundation) and “with impeccable technique and a sensitivity overflowing with subtlety,” (Cartagena Guitar Festival), internationally-acclaimed Italian-American guitarist Marisa Sardo has emerged as an extraordinary activist, teacher, and concert artist “with her remarkable control of the guitar and exquisite dynamics” (Texas Guitar Society).

Marisa is an active musician in music scenes all over the world, having performed in 5 continents and over 25 countries as a featured solo performer. She has performed in numerous world-renowned venues as a guest soloist, including the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Casa Museu Ema Klabin in Sao Paulo, Concerti del Tempietto in Rome, Casa Gentil in Bogota, El Sawy Culturewheel in Cairo, and Higashi Ward Cultural Center in Hiroshima, among others. Her unique programs include a variety of diverse music, including music from Europe, African music, music from South America, music written by women, world premieres, and music written for her. She began playing at the age of 4, and at a young age, she began a professional career as a musician and concert artist. Her first concert given for an international audience was at 6 years old, and now at 28 years old, her outreach has achieved global recognition.

Described as “one of today’s most exciting young artists to see perform live” (Twisted Spruce Music Foundation) and “with impeccable technique and a sensitivity overflowing with subtlety,” (Cartagena Guitar Festival), internationally-acclaimed Italian-American guitarist Marisa Sardo has emerged as an extraordinary activist, teacher, and concert artist “with her remarkable control of the guitar and exquisite dynamics” (Texas Guitar Society).

Marisa is an active musician in music scenes all over the world, having performed in 5 continents and over 25 countries as a featured solo performer. She has performed in numerous world-renowned venues as a guest soloist, including the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Casa Museu Ema Klabin in Sao Paulo, Concerti del Tempietto in Rome, Casa Gentil in Bogota, El Sawy Culturewheel in Cairo, and Higashi Ward Cultural Center in Hiroshima, among others. Her unique programs include a variety of diverse music, including music from Europe, African music, music from South America, music written by women, world premieres, and music written for her. She began playing at the age of 4, and at a young age, she began a professional career as a musician and concert artist. Her first concert given for an international audience was at 6 years old, and now at 28 years old, her outreach has achieved global recognition.

Described as “one of today’s most exciting young artists to see perform live” (Twisted Spruce Music Foundation) and “with impeccable technique and a sensitivity overflowing with subtlety,” (Cartagena Guitar Festival), internationally-acclaimed Italian-American guitarist Marisa Sardo has emerged as an extraordinary activist, teacher, and concert artist “with her remarkable control of the guitar and exquisite dynamics” (Texas Guitar Society).

Marisa is an active musician in music scenes all over the world, having performed in 5 continents and over 25 countries as a featured solo performer. She has performed in numerous world-renowned venues as a guest soloist, including the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Casa Museu Ema Klabin in Sao Paulo, Concerti del Tempietto in Rome, Casa Gentil in Bogota, El Sawy Culturewheel in Cairo, and Higashi Ward Cultural Center in Hiroshima, among others. Her unique programs include a variety of diverse music, including music from Europe, African music, music from South America, music written by women, world premieres, and music written for her. She began playing at the age of 4, and at a young age, she began a professional career as a musician and concert artist. Her first concert given for an international audience was at 6 years old, and now at 28 years old, her outreach has achieved global recognition.

Described as “one of today’s most exciting young artists to see perform live” (Twisted Spruce Music Foundation) and “with impeccable technique and a sensitivity overflowing with subtlety,” (Cartagena Guitar Festival), internationally-acclaimed Italian-American guitarist Marisa Sardo has emerged as an extraordinary activist, teacher, and concert artist “with her remarkable control of the guitar and exquisite dynamics” (Texas Guitar Society).

Marisa is an active musician in music scenes all over the world, having performed in 5 continents and over 25 countries as a featured solo performer. She has performed in numerous world-renowned venues as a guest soloist, including the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Casa Museu Ema Klabin in Sao Paulo, Concerti del Tempietto in Rome, Casa Gentil in Bogota, El Sawy Culturewheel in Cairo, and Higashi Ward Cultural Center in Hiroshima, among others. Her unique programs include a variety of diverse music, including music from Europe, African music, music from South America, music written by women, world premieres, and music written for her. She began playing at the age of 4, and at a young age, she began a professional career as a musician and concert artist. Her first concert given for an international audience was at 6 years old, and now at 28 years old, her outreach has achieved global recognition.

A young musician from Pune, India, Gandhaar started intensive training in Indian classical music with his father, at the age of 4. With this strong base of a codified form of music, Gandhaar decided to apply the melodic depth of Indian classical music to a modern, urban setting.

He started creating music that was difficult to define at the time. A strong Indian melodic identity, combined with the finesse of electronic music production. This soon became his signature sound, and he started getting invited to create music for applications that needed this modern and global take on Indian music.

From BGM and songs for TV and film, to advertising jingles and corporate presentations, Gandhaar has been creating music for a wide range of applications for a decade and a half. He also composes and produces independently released music under his own name, while producing music for indie song writers from around the world. Notably, he recorded and was a co-composer on Inner World, a music album by The Dalai Lama, in 2020.

​After working in the Indian music industry for over a decade, Gandhaar moved to Toronto, Canada, in search for a wider and more diverse audience for his global sound. He has since been a regular performer at prominent Toronto live music spaces like The Aga Khan Museum, Small World Music, Drom Taberna, and many more.

Sam "Modern Mason" is an award winning guitarist and composer from Toronto, Canada. His music is often peaceful and melancholic with progressive forms and impressionistic soundscapes inspired by psychedelics, rage and revolution. 

One of North America's leading guitar ensembles, ChromaDuo shares uncommonly beautiful music with audiences throughout the world. Since 2008, Tracy Anne Smith and Rob MacDonald have concertized across their native Canada and throughout the United States, as well as in Mexico, England, and Germany. Passionate advocates for their art form, their deep creative connection allows audiences to immerse themselves more fully into the music. From the critic who stated, "their exchanges seem almost symbiotic, and profoundly moving as if the instruments were corporeal rather than of wood, nylon and brass,” (James Filkins) to the elementary-school student who revealed, "the music made me see Paris in a way,” (Dawson), the duo aims to provide a sincere, timeless experience for each listener. The Iserlohner Zeitung observed, "As ChromaDuo sounded the first harmonies, you could hear a pin drop in the house of worship. Smith and MacDonald immediately captivated the audience.”  

They are the dedicatees of works by top composers, including French classical-jazz virtuoso Roland Dyens, British iconoclast Stephen Goss, Canadian virtuosa Dale Kavanagh, and musical polyglot Dušan Bogdanović. In the 2022/23 season they commissioned and premiered works by legendary Cuban maestro Leo Brouwer, uncanny Atlantic composer Amy Brandon, and iconic Brazilian artist Sergio Assad. As Naxos recording artists, they have just released their third album of world-premiere recordings, called What I Saw in the Water. Their debut release Hidden Waters also contains five world premieres, while the duo's original arrangements of French Impressionist works shine in their sophomore recording, Ravel and Debussy, Music for Two Guitars. Sergio Assad predicted that ChromaDuo's commissions would not only "enter and enrich the traditional repertoire of guitar duos across the world in the coming years,” but that they "would have a larger impact: to further this great way of expressing musical art.”  

They have performed, taught, and adjudicated competitions at major festivals of the guitar world including the GFA, Boston’s Festival 21, 30th International Guitar Festival Iserlohn, and Festival Internacional de Guitarra Sinaloa, Culiacán.  ChromaDuo's music is heard on various radio programs and stations, including Canada's CBC, RadioFrance, National Public Radio, Hong Kong's RTHK, Sweden's Sveriges Radio among others. The two have created an ever-growing ChromaDuo Collection with publisher Productions d'Oz, made up of dedications and commissioned works. They are also active international educators; Rob MacDonald teaches at the University of Toronto and Tracy Anne Smith is Assistant Professor of Guitar at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Founded by Paul van Dongen in 1965, the Niagara Youth Orchestra is the premiere training ground for young orchestral musicians under twenty-five years old in the Niagara Region. Led by professional coaches and conductors who are affiliated with orchestras across the province, musicians in the Niagara Youth Orchestra receive extensive music education and performance experiences through regular concert seasons and special events. Our musicians come from all over the region including Grimsby, Beamsville, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines.

As a long time member of the Toronto music scene, teacher, performer and creator William Beauvais is presenting a farewell celebration Saturday May 2 at 7:30 pm at St Thomas' Anglican church at 383 Huron Street. For this event Beauvais will perform with various alumni from his 50 year teaching career. These include: Jeff Hanlon [Kingston], Bilal Nasser [Windsor], Liam Jaeger [Toronto], Sam Mason, Chris Russo, Soloman Younan and Maximilian Henein.

Beauvais has written and arranged music for Mezzo-soprano Maria Soulis and violinist Joyce Lai, which is collected on a CD titled Golden Branches – Silver Leaves. He has toured with Jeunesse Musicale Canada, and performed in hundreds of schools through the Toronto Symphony Education program. Beauvais taught at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Queen’s University, the University of Windsor and at York University. His music has been heard all over the world, and he is an associate of the Canadian Music Centre.

Simon Farintosh is an award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator based in Victoria, BC. Named one of CBC’s ‘30 Under 30 Classical Musicians’ in 2023, he is known for his unconventional programming choices, connecting with audiences by integrating the classical guitar with more contemporary musical forms such as electronica and jazz. Simon is currently a music performance instructor at the University of Victoria, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate guitar students.

Simon studied with Dr. Alexander Dunn at the University of Victoria, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in 2018. Simon's musical pursuits later took him to Milwaukee, WI, where he completed a Master's Degree at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020. Here, he was a student and teaching assistant to Rene Izquierdo, a renowned Cuban virtuoso and revered pedagogue. Currently, Simon is in the finishing stages of a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto, where he is a student of Jorge Caballero and Dr. Jeffrey McFadden.

Simon's performances have garnered him top awards in various national and international competitions. He was the 1st Prize winner of the 2018 Northwest Guitar Festival in Spokane, WA, and has been a finalist in the Canadian National Music Festival, GuitarLab International Competition, Wilson Center Guitar Competition, and the Twisted Spruce Guitar Competition. As a composer, he was recently awarded First Prize in the 2022 Ottawa Guitar Society Composition Competition for his original piece 'Distant Light.' He is a six-time recipient of the British Columbia Arts Council Award, and has been a featured performer or visiting clinician for organizations such as The Classical Guitar Society of Tri-Cities (Washington), Madison Classical Guitar Society, Ottawa Guitar Society, the Guitar Society of Toronto, Chemainus Classical Concerts, and more. He has adjudicated festivals such as the London Kiwanis Music Festival and the Canadian National Music Festival.

Simon is currently an instructor at The University of Victoria, where he runs the guitar department. He is also the owner and operator of ReVamp Guitar Academy, which offers virtual lessons to students across Canada and beyond. His students regularly receive top prizes in local and provincial music competitions, as well as excellent scores on RCM examinations. In addition to teaching and performing, Simon is also president of the Victoria Guitar Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the guitar through outreach and an international concert series.

Simon Farintosh is an award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator based in Victoria, BC. Named one of CBC’s ‘30 Under 30 Classical Musicians’ in 2023, he is known for his unconventional programming choices, connecting with audiences by integrating the classical guitar with more contemporary musical forms such as electronica and jazz. Simon is currently a music performance instructor at the University of Victoria, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate guitar students.

Simon studied with Dr. Alexander Dunn at the University of Victoria, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in 2018. Simon's musical pursuits later took him to Milwaukee, WI, where he completed a Master's Degree at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020. Here, he was a student and teaching assistant to Rene Izquierdo, a renowned Cuban virtuoso and revered pedagogue. Currently, Simon is in the finishing stages of a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto, where he is a student of Jorge Caballero and Dr. Jeffrey McFadden.

Simon's performances have garnered him top awards in various national and international competitions. He was the 1st Prize winner of the 2018 Northwest Guitar Festival in Spokane, WA, and has been a finalist in the Canadian National Music Festival, GuitarLab International Competition, Wilson Center Guitar Competition, and the Twisted Spruce Guitar Competition. As a composer, he was recently awarded First Prize in the 2022 Ottawa Guitar Society Composition Competition for his original piece 'Distant Light.' He is a six-time recipient of the British Columbia Arts Council Award, and has been a featured performer or visiting clinician for organizations such as The Classical Guitar Society of Tri-Cities (Washington), Madison Classical Guitar Society, Ottawa Guitar Society, the Guitar Society of Toronto, Chemainus Classical Concerts, and more. He has adjudicated festivals such as the London Kiwanis Music Festival and the Canadian National Music Festival.

Simon is currently an instructor at The University of Victoria, where he runs the guitar department. He is also the owner and operator of ReVamp Guitar Academy, which offers virtual lessons to students across Canada and beyond. His students regularly receive top prizes in local and provincial music competitions, as well as excellent scores on RCM examinations. In addition to teaching and performing, Simon is also president of the Victoria Guitar Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the guitar through outreach and an international concert series.

Sam "Modern Mason" is an award winning guitarist and composer from Toronto, Canada. His music is often peaceful and melancholic with progressive forms and impressionistic soundscapes inspired by psychedelics, rage and revolution.

Dr. Daniel Ramjattan has become an ambassador for the classical guitar in Canada, having premiered dozens of chamber and solo works for guitar. He has given recitals in Vienna, Austria, Italy, and various locations across Canada, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan, and has received an array of top prizes in provincial and national solo guitar competitions. He has performed in festivals such as Koerner's 21C Festival, Open Ears, Waterloo, Guitar Alla Grande, INNERChamber, Ottawa Chamberfest, the Livorno Music Festival, Italy, the Alte Schmiede Kunstverein, Vienna’s Contemporary music series, Toronto Guitar Society’s Guitar Weekend, Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival, and many more. He also gave his concerto debut with Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in 2023 with the Stratford Symphony.

Daniel’s past mentors have included Patrick Roux, Dr. Jeffrey McFadden, the late great Bruce Holzman, Lorenzo Micheli, and Jorge Caballero, and he has performed in masterclasses for world- class artists such as Sergio Assad, Judicael Perroy, Pavel Steidl, Fabio Zanon, and many others. He has taken first prize at competitions such as the Ottawa-Gatineau guitar competition and OMFA Provincial Guitar Competition open level in 2014 and 2016. He also placed second in the FCMF National Guitar Competition in 2016, and placed as a finalist in the Montreal and Hamilton International Guitar Competitions.

Experience the power of the piano and pipe organ together in concert with Duo 330. From Mozart’s sparkling Magic Flute overture to Liszt’s fiery Hungarian Rhapsody, this program moves between the playful, the lyrical, and the grand. Works by Mascagni, Peeters, and Canadian composer Denis Bédard round out a concert rich in unique colours.

Jingquan Xie has been characterized by the Toronto Concert Review as a pianist who “… has found her own voice and is making music that goes beyond the technical and musical demands of the music." She has performed as soloist with the Symphonic Orchestra of Keimyung University in Daegu, the Symphonic Orchestra of the Shanghai Conservatory, and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, and played solo recitals at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre of the Canadian Opera Company, The Royal Occasion in Koerner Hall, University of Toronto’s Piano Laureates Concert, recital series in Hamamatsu, and at the Bianco Arts Concert Series as winner of the 11th Texas State International Piano Festival's Betty Dickinson Award. She is a top prize winner at The Asian Pacific International Chopin Piano Competition, the Concerto Competition and Chamber Music Competition of the Shanghai Conservatory, the VI Krystian Tkaczewski Competition, the Pacific Rim International Piano Competition, the Chicago International Music Competition, and The 3rd Paul Badura-Skoda International Piano Competition.

Ryan Baxter is a candidate in the Doctor of Musical Arts program at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music, studying solo piano performance. He also takes courses in Indigenous studies through the university’s Memegwaanh Indigenous Learning Honour program. Ryan has previously graduated from Brock University, Humber Polytechnic, the University of Manitoba, and Athabasca University, with additional diplomas in piano and organ performance, and piano pedagogy. Beyond academic life, Ryan is Music Director and Organist at Rowntree Memorial United Church in London. Previously, he held the same positions at Trillium United Church in St. Catharines. He has worked as a teaching assistant, collaborative pianist, piano and theory instructor, festival adjudicator, in-classroom mathematics tutor, course facilitator, English teacher in Thailand, and in various other education-related positions. When Ryan is not practicing, writing, or working, he can be found walking outside, cooking, baking, reading, and applying to more programs.

Dr. Daniel Ramjattan has become an ambassador for the classical guitar in Canada, having premiered dozens of chamber and solo works for guitar. He has given recitals in Vienna, Austria, Italy, and various locations across Canada, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan, and has received an array of top prizes in provincial and national solo guitar competitions. He has performed in festivals such as Koerner's 21C Festival, Open Ears, Waterloo, Guitar Alla Grande, INNERChamber, Ottawa Chamberfest, the Livorno Music Festival, Italy, the Alte Schmiede Kunstverein, Vienna’s Contemporary music series, Toronto Guitar Society’s Guitar Weekend, Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival, and many more. He also gave his concerto debut with Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in 2023 with the Stratford Symphony.

Daniel’s past mentors have included Patrick Roux, Dr. Jeffrey McFadden, the late great Bruce Holzman, Lorenzo Micheli, and Jorge Caballero, and he has performed in masterclasses for world- class artists such as Sergio Assad, Judicael Perroy, Pavel Steidl, Fabio Zanon, and many others. He has taken first prize at competitions such as the Ottawa-Gatineau guitar competition and OMFA Provincial Guitar Competition open level in 2014 and 2016. He also placed second in the FCMF National Guitar Competition in 2016, and placed as a finalist in the Montreal and Hamilton International Guitar Competitions.

Jung Tsai

Based in Kitchener, Ontario, violinist Jung Tsai has performed extensively in the region where she serves as 2nd Associate Concertmaster in Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra. Her other main appearances include performing as guest concertmaster and guest soloist with several local symphony orchestras in Ontario.

Jung received her Bachelor degree in Mannes The New School for Music (New York), Master Degree in DePaul School of Music (Chicago) and Artist Diploma in McGill School of Music (Montreal). During her stay in the United States she has won several prizes including winner of Mannes Community Concerto Competition, finalists of Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and Luminaries Fellowship winner of string category. Her past teachers include Nina Beilina, Ilya Kaler, Axel Strauss, Jonathan Crow and Denise Lupien.

Recognised by The Guardian as “a young 21st-century virtuoso”, Alexandra Whittingham is rapidly redefining the role of the classical guitarist in today’s musical landscape. She is signed exclusively to Decca Classics, with her first album on the label ‘Letters from Paris’ released in October 2025. Recent highlights include a performance at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic for Classic FM Live, a UK tour with duo partner Stephanie Jones, and a 43-date North American tour as part of International Guitar Night. Having first gained international attention at the age of 16 by sharing videos of her performances online, Alexandra has since cultivated a global audience with over 100 million views on YouTube alone. Her debut album, My European Journey (2021), was described as “a superb debut” by BBC Music Magazine and celebrated her love for romantic guitar music and lesser-known composers. The recording earned her a place on Classic FM’s ‘30 under 30’ list in 2022 and a feature on Sky Arts’ Rising Stars, hosted by Julian Lloyd Webber. In 2023, Alexandra released A European Journey, a guitar anthology published by Camden Music. Aimed at beginner to intermediate-level players, the book features a curated selection of 19th-century European works. Her most recent publication Forgotten Songs continues this theme by highlighting selected pieces by the English composer Ernest Shand. Education and outreach are central to Alexandra’s work. Alongside regular masterclasses at conservatoires across Europe and North America, she leads workshops in schools to inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to engage with classical music. Alexandra began her studies at Chetham’s School of Music at the age of 11, where she now teaches alongside her former professor. She later studied with Michael Lewin at the Royal Academy of Music and this year was elected an Associate of the Academy, an honour awarded to alumni who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution to their field. Alexandra is an Augustine Strings artist and plays guitars made by Martin Blackwell and Christopher Dean. 

Recognised by The Guardian as “a young 21st-century virtuoso”, Alexandra Whittingham is rapidly redefining the role of the classical guitarist in today’s musical landscape. She is signed exclusively to Decca Classics, with her first album on the label ‘Letters from Paris’ released in October 2025. Recent highlights include a performance at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic for Classic FM Live, a UK tour with duo partner Stephanie Jones, and a 43-date North American tour as part of International Guitar Night. Having first gained international attention at the age of 16 by sharing videos of her performances online, Alexandra has since cultivated a global audience with over 100 million views on YouTube alone. Her debut album, My European Journey (2021), was described as “a superb debut” by BBC Music Magazine and celebrated her love for romantic guitar music and lesser-known composers. The recording earned her a place on Classic FM’s ‘30 under 30’ list in 2022 and a feature on Sky Arts’ Rising Stars, hosted by Julian Lloyd Webber. In 2023, Alexandra released A European Journey, a guitar anthology published by Camden Music. Aimed at beginner to intermediate-level players, the book features a curated selection of 19th-century European works. Her most recent publication Forgotten Songs continues this theme by highlighting selected pieces by the English composer Ernest Shand. Education and outreach are central to Alexandra’s work. Alongside regular masterclasses at conservatoires across Europe and North America, she leads workshops in schools to inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to engage with classical music. Alexandra began her studies at Chetham’s School of Music at the age of 11, where she now teaches alongside her former professor. She later studied with Michael Lewin at the Royal Academy of Music and this year was elected an Associate of the Academy, an honour awarded to alumni who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution to their field. Alexandra is an Augustine Strings artist and plays guitars made by Martin Blackwell and Christopher Dean. 

Recognised by The Guardian as “a young 21st-century virtuoso”, Alexandra Whittingham is rapidly redefining the role of the classical guitarist in today’s musical landscape. She is signed exclusively to Decca Classics, with her first album on the label ‘Letters from Paris’ released in October 2025. Recent highlights include a performance at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic for Classic FM Live, a UK tour with duo partner Stephanie Jones, and a 43-date North American tour as part of International Guitar Night. Having first gained international attention at the age of 16 by sharing videos of her performances online, Alexandra has since cultivated a global audience with over 100 million views on YouTube alone. Her debut album, My European Journey (2021), was described as “a superb debut” by BBC Music Magazine and celebrated her love for romantic guitar music and lesser-known composers. The recording earned her a place on Classic FM’s ‘30 under 30’ list in 2022 and a feature on Sky Arts’ Rising Stars, hosted by Julian Lloyd Webber. In 2023, Alexandra released A European Journey, a guitar anthology published by Camden Music. Aimed at beginner to intermediate-level players, the book features a curated selection of 19th-century European works. Her most recent publication Forgotten Songs continues this theme by highlighting selected pieces by the English composer Ernest Shand. Education and outreach are central to Alexandra’s work. Alongside regular masterclasses at conservatoires across Europe and North America, she leads workshops in schools to inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to engage with classical music. Alexandra began her studies at Chetham’s School of Music at the age of 11, where she now teaches alongside her former professor. She later studied with Michael Lewin at the Royal Academy of Music and this year was elected an Associate of the Academy, an honour awarded to alumni who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution to their field. Alexandra is an Augustine Strings artist and plays guitars made by Martin Blackwell and Christopher Dean. 

Three words: Adventurous, nature-inspired compositions.

Program Description

Join us for a captivating concert with Folias Duo, the celebrated pairing of Michigan-based flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron. With over two decades of collaboration, they are renowned for their seamless fusion of classical, jazz, world music, and improvisation.

Their original compositions, inspired by life on the road and the beauty of the natural world, transport audiences with vivid storytelling through music. This performance will feature highlights from their newest works, including pieces inspired by the Great Lakes.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the artistry of two trailblazing musicians defining the flute and guitar ensemble!

Three words: Adventurous, nature-inspired compositions.

Program Description

Join us for a captivating concert with Folias Duo, the celebrated pairing of Michigan-based flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron. With over two decades of collaboration, they are renowned for their seamless fusion of classical, jazz, world music, and improvisation.

Their original compositions, inspired by life on the road and the beauty of the natural world, transport audiences with vivid storytelling through music. This performance will feature highlights from their newest works, including pieces inspired by the Great Lakes.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the artistry of two trailblazing musicians defining the flute and guitar ensemble!

Alex Ring is a local musician and composer, born in St. Catharines. He continues to live here with his young family, working as an elementary school teacher with the DSBN. His principal instrument is the violin, playing solo and with local collective The Northern Arm. As a solo artist, he primarily plays the violin with other sound sources, including sine-wave oscillators, guitar, etc. His recorded music involves manipulation of found sources, along with “traditional” instrumentation. Layering is a key component to his sound, resulting in everything from minimalist drone to dense soundscapes and “noise”.

Neha Mahajan is a sitarist from the Beenkar Gharana, a renowned family tradition in Raga Music emerging from the stroking style of the B. She performs Raga, the melodic system at the heart of Indian music, in the Kharaj-Pancham Baaj style, which highlights deep, resonant tones. Trained by her father, Shri Vidur Mahajan, and currently under Ustad Zunain Khan, Neha blends classical tradition with creative innovation and expression. She has performed with Grammy-winning artist Ricky Martin and was awarded the Sitarvadak Yuva Puraskar (2025). With a Master’s in Philosophy, Neha invites audiences to explore the beauty, emotion, and timeless resonance of Raga Music.

Zaheer Abbas is a Toronto-based tabla player and student of Ustad Allarakha’s senior disciple, Shri Prafulla Athalye. He has performed across Canada in a variety of classical, semi-classical, and contemporary settings, and has accompanied many leading artists in the Canadian performing arts landscape. Zaheer-Abbas brings the tradition of tabla to new contexts through his diverse artistic collaborations and projects. 

Emma Rush is “widely regarded as one of Canada’s premier classical guitarists” (Vivascene Magazine) and her career has commanded world recognition. Touring highlights include the Altamira Shanghai International Guitar Festival (China), Festival de Guitarras Lagos de Moreno (Mexico), and Future Echoes Festival (Sweden), and performing on a cross-country train trip aboard The Canadian. In 2026 Rush will perform throughout Canada with appearances in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, and international performances will include the Iserlohn International Guitar Symposium in Germany and a U.K. tour. “Emma Rush has crafted a sound that transcends generations and speaks directly to the heart and soul.” (Too Much Love Magazine)

In 2025 Emma Rush released The Life and Times of Catharina Pratten, dedicated to the Victorian guitar icon and her circle. It contains many first recordings and was featured as the CBC In Concert Record of the Week. A Dream of Colour (2023) featured “exquisite additions to the contemporary Canadian guitar repertoire” (The WholeNote) that Rush commissioned. In 2020 Rush released Wake the Sigh, a collection of rare music written for guitar by women in the 19th century, almost none of which had ever been recorded before. Her earlier recordings are Canadiana and Folklórica.

Rush’s work has been heard on CBC’s In Concert and About Time, NPR’s Classical Guitar Alive!, and Radio France and she has been featured in Classical Guitar Magazine, Fretboard Journal, Record World, and Sweden’s Gitarr och Luta.

Rush is a guest lecturer at colleges and universities throughout North America. She was an Artist-in-Residence at the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University in the fall of 2016, has completed two artistic residencies at the Sointula Art Shed in remote British Columbia, and a research residency at GEDOK Schleswig-Holstein in Lübeck, Germany. She is active in presenting guitar events around the world and is Co-Director of GuitarFest West in Calgary (AB), Director of the Pigeon Lake Guitar Retreat (ON), Hamilton Guitar Day (ON), Nelson Guitar Festival (BC), and a collaborator with Wakefield Guitar Festival (QC).

Emma Rush has received three City of Hamilton Arts Awards, and has had her work supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Arts Nova Scotia, Hamilton City Enrichment Fund, and FACTOR. She completed her graduate studies at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold in Germany, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

Emma Rush is “widely regarded as one of Canada’s premier classical guitarists” (Vivascene Magazine) and her career has commanded world recognition. Touring highlights include the Altamira Shanghai International Guitar Festival (China), Festival de Guitarras Lagos de Moreno (Mexico), and Future Echoes Festival (Sweden), and performing on a cross-country train trip aboard The Canadian. In 2026 Rush will perform throughout Canada with appearances in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, and international performances will include the Iserlohn International Guitar Symposium in Germany and a U.K. tour. “Emma Rush has crafted a sound that transcends generations and speaks directly to the heart and soul.” (Too Much Love Magazine)

In 2025 Emma Rush released The Life and Times of Catharina Pratten, dedicated to the Victorian guitar icon and her circle. It contains many first recordings and was featured as the CBC In Concert Record of the Week. A Dream of Colour (2023) featured “exquisite additions to the contemporary Canadian guitar repertoire” (The WholeNote) that Rush commissioned. In 2020 Rush released Wake the Sigh, a collection of rare music written for guitar by women in the 19th century, almost none of which had ever been recorded before. Her earlier recordings are Canadiana and Folklórica.

Rush’s work has been heard on CBC’s In Concert and About Time, NPR’s Classical Guitar Alive!, and Radio France and she has been featured in Classical Guitar Magazine, Fretboard Journal, Record World, and Sweden’s Gitarr och Luta.

Rush is a guest lecturer at colleges and universities throughout North America. She was an Artist-in-Residence at the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University in the fall of 2016, has completed two artistic residencies at the Sointula Art Shed in remote British Columbia, and a research residency at GEDOK Schleswig-Holstein in Lübeck, Germany. She is active in presenting guitar events around the world and is Co-Director of GuitarFest West in Calgary (AB), Director of the Pigeon Lake Guitar Retreat (ON), Hamilton Guitar Day (ON), Nelson Guitar Festival (BC), and a collaborator with Wakefield Guitar Festival (QC).

Emma Rush has received three City of Hamilton Arts Awards, and has had her work supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Arts Nova Scotia, Hamilton City Enrichment Fund, and FACTOR. She completed her graduate studies at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold in Germany, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

Ari Cohen Mann serves up "brilliant virtuosity" (The Whole Note) through their playing and brightness and optimism through their popular social media channels. Ari has been hailed as the "Jonathan Van Ness of the oboe" (CBC Music), proudly championing their queer identity and serving as a role model for LGBTQ youth. Based in Toronto, Ari is a dynamic recitalist, new music proponent, orchestral musician, and educator. Recognized on CBC's 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30, they are also a Howarth Artist, performing on a Howarth LXV-VT oboe.  www.oboeari.com

Benjamin Smith

Described by the Barrie Examiner as having “scintillating technique”, Canadian pianist Benjamin Smith resides in Toronto, serving on the piano faculty of the Glenn Gould School (GGS) and Taylor Young Artist Academy at the Royal Conservatory. He has performed across North America, highlighted by appearances as soloist in both Carnegie and Alice Tully halls, and has partnered in concert with international soloists and principal players from orchestras around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, Berlin Philharmoniker, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, and all major Canadian orchestras. Along with a doctorate from Stony Brook University, he holds degrees from Juilliard, GGS, and the University of Toronto. 2025 marks Ben’s debut on Orchid Classics.

Flavius Wagner was born and raised in Baden-Baden Germany. From a very young age, he showed a great passion for the guitar. He began his first guitar lessons at the age of four at the music school in Baden-Baden and later studied under Prof. Boris Bagger. At the age of 14, he transferred as a young student to the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart, where he is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in guitar.

Flavius is a multiple first-place national winner at "Jugend Musiziert" and a prizewinner at the International Youth Competitions (IYC) of the Guitar Foundation of America. Additionally, he received awards at the HASPA Cup 2024 (3rd prize) during the Hamburg Guitar Festival, the Hanika Guitar Competition in Bangkok, (3rd prize) the Dallas International Guitar Competition 2025 (2nd prize), and festivals across Europe and North America, including first prizes at the Ubuntu Guitar Festival in Bosnia, the UF Guitar Festival in Florida 2025 and the Chicago Guitar Competition 2025. As a soloist, Flavius regularly performs all across Germany and internationally. His concert tours have taken him to Venice, Canada, and the US.

Besides his solo career, he is also passionate about chamber music, playing in various ensembles—from guitar quartets to duos with violin or vocals. Currently, Flavius teaches at JMS Gerlingen, conducts masterclasses at international renown festivals, and works as an instructor for the Baden Württemberg State Music Council. He is actively involved in music education through various courses and initiatives supported by the State Music Council.

Flavius Wagner was born and raised in Baden-Baden Germany. From a very young age, he showed a great passion for the guitar. He began his first guitar lessons at the age of four at the music school in Baden-Baden and later studied under Prof. Boris Bagger. At the age of 14, he transferred as a young student to the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart, where he is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in guitar.

Flavius is a multiple first-place national winner at "Jugend Musiziert" and a prizewinner at the International Youth Competitions (IYC) of the Guitar Foundation of America. Additionally, he received awards at the HASPA Cup 2024 (3rd prize) during the Hamburg Guitar Festival, the Hanika Guitar Competition in Bangkok, (3rd prize) the Dallas International Guitar Competition 2025 (2nd prize), and festivals across Europe and North America, including first prizes at the Ubuntu Guitar Festival in Bosnia, the UF Guitar Festival in Florida 2025 and the Chicago Guitar Competition 2025. As a soloist, Flavius regularly performs all across Germany and internationally. His concert tours have taken him to Venice, Canada, and the US.

Besides his solo career, he is also passionate about chamber music, playing in various ensembles—from guitar quartets to duos with violin or vocals. Currently, Flavius teaches at JMS Gerlingen, conducts masterclasses at international renown festivals, and works as an instructor for the Baden Württemberg State Music Council. He is actively involved in music education through various courses and initiatives supported by the State Music Council.

Sam "Modern Mason" is an award winning guitarist and composer from Toronto, Canada. His music is often peaceful and melancholic with progressive forms and impressionistic soundscapes inspired by psychedelics, rage and revolution. 

Flavius Wagner was born and raised in Baden-Baden Germany. From a very young age, he showed a great passion for the guitar. He began his first guitar lessons at the age of four at the music school in Baden-Baden and later studied under Prof. Boris Bagger. At the age of 14, he transferred as a young student to the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart, where he is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in guitar.

Flavius is a multiple first-place national winner at "Jugend Musiziert" and a prizewinner at the International Youth Competitions (IYC) of the Guitar Foundation of America. Additionally, he received awards at the HASPA Cup 2024 (3rd prize) during the Hamburg Guitar Festival, the Hanika Guitar Competition in Bangkok, (3rd prize) the Dallas International Guitar Competition 2025 (2nd prize), and festivals across Europe and North America, including first prizes at the Ubuntu Guitar Festival in Bosnia, the UF Guitar Festival in Florida 2025 and the Chicago Guitar Competition 2025. As a soloist, Flavius regularly performs all across Germany and internationally. His concert tours have taken him to Venice, Canada, and the US.

Besides his solo career, he is also passionate about chamber music, playing in various ensembles—from guitar quartets to duos with violin or vocals. Currently, Flavius teaches at JMS Gerlingen, conducts masterclasses at international renown festivals, and works as an instructor for the Baden Württemberg State Music Council. He is actively involved in music education through various courses and initiatives supported by the State Music Council.

Flavius Wagner was born and raised in Baden-Baden Germany. From a very young age, he showed a great passion for the guitar. He began his first guitar lessons at the age of four at the music school in Baden-Baden and later studied under Prof. Boris Bagger. At the age of 14, he transferred as a young student to the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart, where he is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in guitar.

Flavius is a multiple first-place national winner at "Jugend Musiziert" and a prizewinner at the International Youth Competitions (IYC) of the Guitar Foundation of America. Additionally, he received awards at the HASPA Cup 2024 (3rd prize) during the Hamburg Guitar Festival, the Hanika Guitar Competition in Bangkok, (3rd prize) the Dallas International Guitar Competition 2025 (2nd prize), and festivals across Europe and North America, including first prizes at the Ubuntu Guitar Festival in Bosnia, the UF Guitar Festival in Florida 2025 and the Chicago Guitar Competition 2025. As a soloist, Flavius regularly performs all across Germany and internationally. His concert tours have taken him to Venice, Canada, and the US.

Besides his solo career, he is also passionate about chamber music, playing in various ensembles—from guitar quartets to duos with violin or vocals. Currently, Flavius teaches at JMS Gerlingen, conducts masterclasses at international renown festivals, and works as an instructor for the Baden Württemberg State Music Council. He is actively involved in music education through various courses and initiatives supported by the State Music Council.

Tim Beattie gained international recognition after winning the 2018 Brussels International Guitar Competition. His career has since taken him to stages across North America and Europe, earning prizes at the international competitions in Antwerp, Brussels, Calgary, Enschede, Leicester, Manhattan, and Uppsala.

Beattie has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including Carnegie Hall (Weill Hall), Amsterdam Concertgebouw (supporting Ludovico Einaudi), Amsterdam Blue Note (with Nai Barghouti), Banff Centre, The Bath Festival, FirstOntario Concert Hall (supporting KD Lang), Kitaranova Festival Helsinki, Perth Concert Hall, and Théâtre du Vaudeville Brussels. His performances have also been featured on Dutch National TV and BBC Radio Scotland

Tim is an Associate Teacher of guitar at the University of St Andrews and director of the St Andrews GuitarFest (Scotland). He maintains a busy concert schedule and regularly visits institutions across Canada and the UK as a guest lecturer; most recently at the Alberta Strings Association, Calgary Classical Guitar Society, Mount Royal University, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, University of Alberta, University of Lethbridge, and the University of Regina.

Ben Ellis is a classical guitarist, community arts organizer, and educator. He programs recitals that explore the unexpected corners of guitar repertoire. Programming and pairing works from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century, Ellis finds unexpected threads that connect contrasting works. His programs have included paired transcriptions of violin music by Eugéne Ysaÿe and J.S. Bach as well as the standard “When You Wish Upon A Star” arranged by Chet Atkins paired with an homage to Walt Disney by contemporary composer Darragh O’Neill.

Recent performances include recitals for the Skaneateles Library Concert Series, the Classical Guitar Society of Upstate NY, the St. Eustace Music Series in Lake Placid, NY, WCNY Performance Space in Syracuse, NY, The Orangeburg

Fine Arts Center in Orangeburg, SC, and the Tenri Cultural Institute in NYC.

Recognised by The Guardian as "a young 21st-century virtuoso", Alexandra Whittingham's creative spirit is reshaping classical music and defying conventions. At the age of 16 she began to film her performances of popular guitar repertoire as a personal project, rapidly creating a large community of fans worldwide with over 65 million views. Having just signed exclusively to Decca Classics, recording continues to play an important part in Alexandra's career.

Her debut album 'My European Journey', released in 2021, was described as "a superb debut" by BBC Music Magazine. The album sees Alexandra's passion for romantic guitar music combined with a love of discovering lesser-known composers and bringing them into the spotlight.

Recognised by The Guardian as "a young 21st-century virtuoso", Alexandra Whittingham's creative spirit is reshaping classical music and defying conventions. At the age of 16 she began to film her performances of popular guitar repertoire as a personal project, rapidly creating a large community of fans worldwide with over 65 million views. Having just signed exclusively to Decca Classics, recording continues to play an important part in Alexandra's career.

Her debut album 'My European Journey', released in 2021, was described as "a superb debut" by BBC Music Magazine. The album sees Alexandra's passion for romantic guitar music combined with a love of discovering lesser-known composers and bringing them into the spotlight.

Mexican guitarist Ricardo Saeb has performed in venues across Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. His performances have been described as “perfectly balanced,” “of an exquisite subtlety,” and “simply spectacular.” His tours have taken him to cities as diverse as Querétaro, Beirut, New York, Ciudad Juárez, Boston, Dallas, and Córdoba. Ricardo Saeb has appeared as a guest artist at international festivals such as the Festival Internacional de Música de Morelia, Festival Internacional Chihuahua, Chicago’s Latin American Guitar Festival, among others.

Ricardo has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras in Mexico and the USA, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, La Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Chihuahua, University of Kentucky’s Philharmonia, and the Camerata di Sant’Antonio, to name a few. Ricardo has also collaborated with various artists and ensembles including tenor Manuel Castillo, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, pianist Cliff Jackson, the Buffalo Chamber Players, flautist Nicole Murray, and is featured in jazz saxophonist, Rusty Crutcher’s album, Romances Latinos.

Luis is returning to perform solo piano pieces from his Contrast series.

Luis Gerardo Molina completed his Music Bachelor’s Degree at the University of the Americas Puebla, Mexico and Brock University in St Catharines, Canada. He received piano performance education from world-class pianists such as Yolanda Castro, Ana Maria Tradatti, Oscar Tarrago, Bernard Flavigny, Dr. Jorge Federico Osorio, Faritza Tchivirova, and Dr. Karin Dibella among others. In 2020 he completed the master’s degree in Music Literature and Performance at Western University studying with the recognized Canadian pianist Leslie Kinton, a member of the Internationally celebrated Canadian piano duo Anagnoson & Kinton.

Bilal Nasser is a Palestinian-Canadian guitarist and composer from Windsor Ontario known for his ability to blend his classical guitar background with his passion for more experimental genres such as post-rock, shoegaze, and drone. Through his unique output he is known to challenge assumptions as to what classical guitar music can be, resulting in a signature sound often described as "Post-Classical".

Luis Gerardo Molina completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music at the University of the Americas in Mexico and Brock University. He received piano performance education from world-class pianists and in 2020 he completed his Master’s degree in Music Literature and Performance at Western. Luis’ piano performer career encompasses international competitions and performances in France, U.S.A., Germany, Poland, Russia, Mexico and Canada.

Maracela Lagunas Burgos received her musical education from the Conservatory of Puebla and the University of Veracruz, where she was part of the cell studio of Anna Maklackiewicz. She studied under the principal cellist of the Xalapa Symphonic Orchestra and other world-class violoncello teachers such as Wolfant Laufer, Richard Luvi, David Ying, Richard Markson and Yo-Yo Ma. In 1998 she won an important scholarship granted by the Government for young musicians. 

Emma Rush is “widely regarded as one of Canada’s premiere classical guitarists” (Vivascene Magazine) and her career has commanded world recognition. She regularly performs across Canada and has performed around the world. The concert will feature beautiful rare works from the 19th century, Canadian music composed just for her, and some of her personal favourites from the guitar repertoire. With her warm tone and virtuosic playing “Emma Rush has crafted a sound that transcends generations and speaks directly to the heart and soul.” (Too Much Love Magazine)