There was a consistently high level of professionalism and musicality” was how The Globe and Mail described Canadian pianist Michael Kim. With solo performances throughout Canada, US, South America, and Korea, Michael has also had concerto appearances that include the Boston and Cincinnati Pops, and the symphonies of Toronto, Vancouver, London, Edmonton, Victoria, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Florida, Fox Valley, Oklahoma City, Green Bay, and Milwaukee, among others. He recently toured Peru with Orchestra Sinfonica de Trujillo, and has toured the UK with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony, performances that were broadcast on BBC radio and television.

A recipient of countless awards, he was silver medallist in the 1992 Scottish International Competition in Glasgow, and a prize winner in the Leeds and Ivo Pogorelich International Piano Competitions. As Grand prize winner of the Canadian Music and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation National Radio Competition, Dr. Kim was also awarded many Arts Study, Project, and Touring Office grants from The Canada Council and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. He was a recipient of Canada Council’s prestigious Career Development award.

Peter Brennan’s Jeans ‘n Classics is a winner!

Since its inception, it has been a star performer in the arts and entertainment scene. Its concept of combining rock musicians and headlining stars with world-class symphony orchestras has drawn record setting capacity crowds.

Jeans ‘n Classics appeals to an age group from 25 to 65, with a heavy concentration in the Classic Rock audience. The patrons are symphony-goers, enthusiastic sponsors and business professionals who wish to entertain clients, investors and reward employees.

Jeans ‘n Classics is a group of musicians who understand orchestra culture and are committed to help in the building of younger, loyal audiences for symphony orchestras across Canada and the United States.

Through the magic of music, a mysterious stranger weaves a tale that explores the origins of our best-loved traditions from Christmas trees to dreidles, from Santa Clause to Scrooge. With a mixture of popular favourites, traditional music and plenty of sing-a-longs, this concert is sure to lift even the biggest Grinch into the holiday spirit.

Raum, Erika. Violinist, teacher, born in Halifax, NS, 13 May 1972; B MUS (Toronto) 1993. The daughter of composer Elizabeth Raum and trombonist Richard Raum, Erika Raum began studying piano at the age of two; at three her family moved to Regina, and she began studying violin. Her formative musical influences in childhood were her parents — she studied theory, composition and oboe with her mother — and her early violin teachers, Elman Lowe and Howard Leyton-Brown. She made her concerto debut at the age of 10, performing Haydn with the University of Regina Chamber Orchestra. She began playing professionally, with the Reginal Symphony Orchestra, at 12. In summer 1984, Raum attended theBanff Centre’s program for gifted youth. Raum studied with Valery Kilmov at the Wienermeisterkurse in Vienna during the summers of 1985, 1988 and 1989. In 1989 Raum enrolled in the University of Toronto, studying violin with Lorand Fenyves, who became her most important musical mentor, along with her mother and the pianist Marek Jablonski, whom Raum met in 1992.

Upon graduation, the university awarded Raum its Eaton Scholarship.

The Sudbury Youth Orchestra (SYO), founded in 1972, is an award-winning non-profit organization that provides a caliber of orchestral playing comparable to that found in any major Canadian city. Members range in age from 10 to their early 20’s. The Orchestra is conducted by Jamie Arrowsmith who holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Kent State University.

Ms. Lee is currently the Principal Cellist of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, and instructor at the Sudbury Symphony Conservatory of Music as well as part-time instructor at Cambrian College. She is proud to be a member of the Silver Birch String Quartet as well as co-artistic director and co-founder of Silver Birch Concerts chamber music series. Alexandra performs exclusively on a 1996 cello by Hratch Armenious.