SOCMI Alumni Success Stories

Many of SOCMI’s students have gone on to brilliant musical careers as teachers, professors and performers - their music can be heard throughout North America and Europe.  The following captures just some of the highlights of SOCMI Alumni Success Stories . . .

Daniel Bard, violin, member of the Nagoko Chamber Orchestra, Japan.  Principal Player of the Tel Aviv Soloists in Israel and the Camerata Nordica in Sweden.

Dr. Jeremy Bell, violin, member of the Penderecki String Quartet – residence Wilfred Laurier University

Laura Bellhouse, violin/viola, graduating with a Bachelor of Music June 2007, plans to study with Mark Gothoni in Berlin, Germany this fall.

Caitlin Boyle, viola, member of the Cecilia String Quartet – finalist at the Melbourne String Quartet competition July 2007.  Former member of the Gemini String Quartet. Recently completed performance diploma with Harioff Schlichtig in Munich, Germany. 

Andrew Deaville, cello, member of the Munich Youth Orchestra, currently on a Rotary Exchange in Germany.

Rachel DeSoer, cello, member of the Lloyd-Carr-Harris String Quartet, McGill University, finalist at the Melbourne String Quartet Competition July 2007

Kelvin Enns - Principal Viola of Orchestra London

Adrian Fung, cello, member of the Afiara String Quartet, finalist at the 9th Banff International String Quartet Competition, August 2007.

Corey Gemmel - Symphony Hamilton Concertmaster and Royal Conservatory of Music teacher

Sheldon Grabke - violinist with the National Ballet and former CMC Regional Director

Arlen Hlusko, cello, currently studying at The Wyatt Artist in Residence program Mount Royal Conservatory.

Grace Hong - violin teacher at Havergal College and Concertmaster of Toronto

Ivan Ivanovich, violin/viola, pursuing Master’s Degree at the Juilliard School in New York in the viola class of Masao Kawasaki, member of the Sonora String Quartet.  Winner of the 2006 “Galaxie Chamber Music Marathon” CBC.

Nadia Klein, cello, former member of the Gemini String Quartet.  Master of Music in Performance and a Professional Studies Diploma, San Francisco Conservatory. 

Sharon Lee, violin, member of the Cecilia String Quartet – finalist at the Melbourne String Quartet competition July 2007

Victoria Lindsay, violin, Principal Second violin Victoria Symphony, former member of the Gemini String Quartet.

John Lowry - Assistant Concertmaster of Calgary Philharmonic

Max Mandel, viola, former member of the Metro String Quartet. Current group affiliations; Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, Kirby String Quartet, Flux Quartet, The Caramoor Virtuosi, The Metropolitan Museum Artists, Toronto Camerata, Il Furiosi Baroque Ensemble.

Meredith McCallum, violin, Bachelor of Music McGill University 2006.  Currently in graduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra, Apprentice 2006.

Kenin McKay, violin, Masters of Music in Performance UofT 2007, Women’s Musical Club of Toronto Centennial Scholarship 2006, Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra, Apprentice 2006.

Akemi Mercer, violin, former member of the Gemini String Quartet.  Winner of the 2003 “Galaxie Chamber Music Marathon” CBC.  Completed Bachelor of Performance UofT and Diploma program at Hochschule fur Music in Koln, Germany.  2006 Semi-finalist Eckhardt-Grammatte National Music Competition.  Member of Via Salzberg Chamber Orchestra, Toronto.

Rachel Mercer, cello, member of the Aviv String Quartet, Paris, France.  Member of the Les Amis Ensemble.  Former member of the Metro String Quartet. Principal cellist Via Salzberg Chamber Orchestra, Toronto. Grand prize winner of the 2001 Vriendenkrans Competition in Amsterdam. 

Katherine Mrmak, viola, graduated Bachelor of Music, Wilfred Laurier University. Apprentice, Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra 2006

Aissilinn Noskey, violin, member of the Kirby String Quartet, assistant principal second violin Canadian Opera Company 2003-05.  Affiliations include: National Ballet, TSO, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Seiler Strings, Il Furiosi Baroque Ensemble.

Elizabeth Orr, violist, assistant principal violist of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Luebeck, Germany.

Sinfonietta Kelly Parkins - teacher at Royal Conservatory of Music

Espeth Poole, cello, recitalist and chamber musician. Master’s degree at the Juilliard School.  Her ensembles have won prizes, including the Max Pirani Trio Prize, and the Harold Crarton Prize in London.

Michael Schulte, violin/viola, member of the Turini Schulte Bloemental Piano Trio. Avid teacher.  frequent SOCMI faculty member.  Premiered A. Richardson’s “Pull’ SOCMI’s first premier of a Canadian work recorded live by CBC radio. 

Kirk Starkey, cello, Suzuki cello instructor for SuzukiMusic in Ottawa.  Plays principal cello with The Ottawa Chamber Orchestra.

Monica Westerholm, violin, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Performance Degree and the University of Toronto

If you would like to share you alumni success story please send your email to: aficzere@socmi.org