Music Director and Founder of the Vancouver Pops, Tom Kuo is a Vancouver-raised violinist, violist, music educator and conductor. After finishing music school and working as a full time instructor, it wasn't long before he began to wonder whether he was in the right field. He noticed that most students didn't enjoy learning classical music, they didn't enjoy practicing, and they didn't enjoy performing by themselves. 

Sympathetic to the toils of his students studying solo classical music, he decided to set out to create something different that his students might enjoy and appreciate more. It was a three-fold solution. Being in ensembles took away the nervousness of being on stage alone. And playing popular music gave meaning and nostalgia to what they were practicing. Loving a piece of music that you hear, drives you to want to practice and improve. It was then that something really struck a chord. Music can be fun, and challenging, and yet highly rewarding at the same time, if it's with the right music, right instrument, and the right people.

In 2010 it was just a handful of high school students playing the violin together to the tune of "All I Want For Christmas is You". Now in 2024, we have over a hundred musicians, winds, brass, percussion, strings, and singers all coming together to recreate the greatest movie soundtracks and Broadway show tunes of all time for you today. Over the past 14 years, Tom has led the VPOPS Orchestra and Choir through dozens of concerts in the lower mainland, plus two tours to New York City, and one tour to Tokyo, Japan. In Summer 2025, Tom will lead the VPOPS Orchestra and Choir on their 4th international tour to London UK.

Grateful for all the performing members, his amazing team, and all the support the organization has received, Tom makes sure that new and returning members are welcomed to Vancouver Pops with warmth and enthusiasm.

In his spare time, Tom enjoys being active through tennis and volleyball. He also enjoys being outdoors on a hike or going camping. He dabbles in the kitchen regularly and occasionally will attempt a DIY woodworking or home improvement project.

Jodine came to VPOPS with an extensive music background in classical and musical theatre vocal performance. She also played Tuba for 8 years, into musical school at Memorial University in St. John's, NL. Her goal as a choir director is to help members grow their skills individually, then come together to make beautiful choral music. Her main passion is helping people grow confidence in themselves and have that reflect in their performance on and off the stage. Jodine will always push you out of your comfort zone, but you'll be thankful for it in the end.