Violin
Natalie Wong
Natalie is a virtuosic and versatile violinist who performs in orchestras, chamber music, musical theatre, jazz and pop concerts. She is currently a core member in the tutti first violin section of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, and she is the concert master of the Summerhill Orchestra. She also performs rock, pop and jazz in her solo show. You’ve never heard the violin like this!
Ruza
Ruža is a sought-after, virtuosic violinist with a classical performance degree from McGill University. Over the years, she has branched out from her usual orchestral and chamber concerts into pop and world music, as well as singing jazz and contemporary. A frequent violinist for the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, Jeans ’n Classics Rock Symphony, and the Brott Music Festival, you never know where you’ll see her playing next. Wherever it is, you are sure to experience a deeply musical and exciting performance!
Peter Han
Peter Han is a violinist from Toronto who plays weddings, corporate events, Craft Beer Festivals, Rib Fests, Musical Theatre Pit Bands and even live music yoga. He has played major events for the City of Toronto such as the Beaches Jazz Festival and took part in the Guinness World Record for “Longest Concert by Multiple Artists”. His program for seniors is very interactive and features hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s as well as some traditional Irish music.
Jeremy Potts
“A native of Vancouver Island, Jeremy has performed in a wide variety of settings, from loud bars to national parks to concert halls and everything in between. While you will usually spot Jeremy performing with ensembles like the Toronto Concert Orchestra or the National Ballet of Canada, he is equally at home playing jazz, bluegrass, rock and popular tunes.”
Viera
Viera started learning the violin at age 5. She attained her Bachelor of Performance degree from the University of Toronto and is currently a music educator at Metalworks Institute in Mississauga. She regularly performs in corporate, private and charity events and enjoys composing music for film.
Emily Yarascavitch
Emily Yarascavitch provides premium violin/fiddle services in the GTA and has been performing professionally for 15+ years. She is versatile in the styles of Canadian Old Time Fiddling, Kashubian Fiddling, Centric, Country, Pop and Classical. Her ability to improvise allows her to play varying genres and she creates custom sets with backing tracks for any event or occasion. She is also an accomplished Ottawa Valley Step-Dancer and is always excited to add some high energy stepping for your audience!
Joana Angeles
Joana Angeles is a performer and pedagogue who earned the love and the audience satisfaction by sharing her talent with her violin, making the experience an emocional and musical journey with her variety of international music showing a taste of her Mexicans roots with some mariachi and Latin American music too. She started to study music played at the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra in Mexico City being her hometown and has played with different bands, orchestras and chamber music since she was a teenager. She loves to teach violin and transmit to her students and her audience the love and passion for music.
Brittany Iwanciwski
Raised in northern BC on a blend of Classical and Canadian Old Time music, Brittany Iwanciwski has been playing fiddle tunes for a long time. Their music encompasses the thrill of being at an Irish session long after dark and a natural blurring of genres discovered while busking on the streets of Victoria. Now living in Toronto, Brittany plays Irish music and collaborates with all kinds of musicians including the art rock band Tidal Wave and folk trio Wild Bloom.
Cello
Alice Kim
Alice Kim is active in the Greater Toronto Area as a collaborative musician in both chamber and orchestral music. She is regularly in high demand as a freelance musician and maintains a busy teaching schedule throughout the GTA. She was featured in performances that were broadcasted on CBC Radio. Ms Kim has made regular appearances as an orchestral player with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, Toronto Concert Orchestra, London Symphonia (formerly Orchestra London Canada), and the North York Concert Orchestra as a guest principal-cellist.In 2009-2010, she was a member of Uccello ensemble and is featured in the CD Album “Meeting of the Spirit”, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2010.
Xinya Zhou
Xinya Zhou is an in demand cellist, who started out in the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the most prestigious orchestras in China. She has a doctorate degree (DMA) in cello performance and frequently served as principal cellist in several orchestras throughout Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Xinya performs the most beloved classical pieces mixed with pop and jazz tunes as well!
Piano
Reuven Grajner
Reuven is an award-winning Toronto based Pianist/Keyboardist/Composer. He’s been in love with music since his first piano lesson at 6 years old, and has been following his dreams of becoming a professional musician ever since. Reuven is fluent in a breadth of musical styles including jazz, RnB, classical, pop, Latin, and Klezmer. Reuven loves to entertain and play a variety of piano music tailored just for you!
Athony D’Alessandro
Anthony D’Alessandro is a jazz pianist, composer and bandleader based out of Toronto, Ontario. Anthony has performed in many of Canada’s finest venues and festivals including the Toronto Summer Music Festival, the Jazz Sudbury Festival, and the Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, in addition to composition and performances across the United States and Europe. Having performed at hundreds of senior’s homes across Ontario, Anthony presents ragtime, stride, boogie-woogie, blues and jazz, and selections from the Great American Songbook that older generations know and love. Anthony’s performances can turn into sing-alongs and always contain fun banter between him and the audience.
Harp: Emily Belvedere
Harpist Emily Belvedere is an award winning musician and avid performer based out of Toronto, Ontario. Having been praised for her “crystalline technique” Emily has had the opportunity to
perform on stages throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. She has been featured as a soloist with the McGill Symphony Orchestra as well as with the Stratford Symphony in Ontario. Emily is a member and co founder of two award- winning chamber groups with
whom she has travelled across North America as well as overseas to complete residencies and perform on tour. Miss Belvedere holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music and a Masters Degree in Harp Performance from McGIll University.
Sax & Flute: John Pagnotta
John JP Pagnotta is a jazz and soul saxophonist and flutist currently living in the GTA. Born and raised in the multicultural community of downtown Toronto, John JP Pagnotta brings many world beat influences to his brand of soulful music. As a professional musician for over thirty-five years, JP has worked with some of the finest local, national and international musicians. JP is equally well versed in jazz, R&B, pop, soul, and classical music. JP’s sound has been described as introspective and soulful with an infectious groove.
International Instruments
Steel Pan: Aaron “Love Sound” Seunarine
Aaron “Love Sound” Seunarine plays the Steel Pan and several other drum/percussion instruments. He has been playing music professionally for over 20 years while also teaching at several schools across the city of Toronto. Aaron has travelled the world playing with bands spreading the love and joy of music. One of his favorite things to do is perform in retirement and LTC residences. He plays songs from the 1920’s-1950’s; including Carribbean and Jazz music in interactive shows that are fun for the staff and the residents.
Spanish/Classical Guitar:
Jorge Lopez
A proud son of Mexico City, Jorge has spent his life studying and mastering the guitar. He inherited his love of the classical guitar from his father Gustavo Lopez, who was a student and assistant of the greatest guitarist of all times, Andres Segovia. Jorge prides himself on his clean and crisp style of articulation on the guitar.
Accordion: John Lettieri
Accordionist John Lettieri is an exceptional artist who has been invited to perform at a variety of special
celebrations and gatherings for over forty years. He enjoys presenting music of different styles and
cultures from around the world. His playing ability, charm and energetic spirit will certainly capture your
interest, as he dazzles you with melodies from the past and present. He plays an electronic accordion
where the unique sounds will inspire you to move, clap and sing. Through John’s accordion music
presentation, you will feel the power of music transport you to another world of possibility and
opportunity.
Accordion: Sebastian Carubia
Accordionist Sebastian Carubia grew up on College Street in Toronto, Canada when Italian culture flourished and he remembers as early as the age of ten he loved the accordion. Sebastian continues to perform at many festivals and events in Toronto and the GTA as a solo artist and with his group The Trio Kings. In 2010 Sebastian was in a Juno Award nominated music video called “Stereo Love” with international Canadian artist Mia Martina. The love of the accordion has been in his family for generations and is a constant reminder of his cultural traditions. Sebastian Carubia will take you on a musical journey of International music that aims to connect people no matter the language or culture.
Marimba: Bryan Allen
Bryan is a percussionist and Marimba specialist from Toronto. He served as the principle percussionist for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra for 3 years and continues to perform with Ontario orchestras such as the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Brott Music Festival, Niagara, Oakville and Peterborough Symphony. In 2019, Bryan embarked on a musical and geographical adventure with his partner, performing as a duo on a luxury cruise-line touring New Zealand, Australia, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. This was cut short due to the pandemic, and the two were stuck at sea for 82 days, eventually sailing out of Manila, Philippines.
Steelpan: Taurean Clarke
Taurean Clarke has amassed over 30 years of experience being a steelpanist, from starting in a small community centre playing in Flemingdon Park with his father’s local steelband organization to now being one of the top pannists in this country. He has played in many local events in the GTA including the Toronto Carnival Festival (Caribana), various local events, including recently Street Eats; various jazz festivals including the Beaches Jazz Festival, the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Pickering Jazz Festival, & the Markham Jazz Festival, Carifestival in Vaughan, and also overseas including stints in Hong Kong.
JV Music for Seniors 