vivo strings!

Darwyn Chang is a cellist and pianist from Toronto, currently serving as principal cellist with the Queen’s University Orchestra and studying chamber music with Dr. Cynthia Szabo.

She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Mathematics and Music, alongside a Bachelor of Education in the concurrent education program. She holds an ARCT in Piano Performance (2023) and Level 8 Cello (2024), both with First Class Honours with Distinction. A two-time recipient of Best Advanced Solo at the ORMTA Music Festival, Darwyn has also performed in masterclasses, working with musicians such as pianist Rachel Naomi Kudo and violinist Katya Poplyansky.

Beyond performing, Darwyn is passionate about music education. Since 2022, she has taught both piano and cello at Allegro Piano Studios and Long & McQuade.

Gabriella Liu is a violist currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance at the University of Toronto, under the tutelage of Hezekiah Leung. She started her musical journey at the age of 4 on the piano and finished her ARCT practical at 17. Gabriella attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts in high school, where she began learning the viola with Angela Rudden. Throughout high school, she was an active chamber musician, performing frequently with her quartet across the Greater Toronto Area. In 2025, Gabriella was given the opportunity to attend chamber music festivals including Cascade Peak’s Chamberfest in British Columbia and Orford Musique in Quebec. There, she received coachings and performed in masterclasses for the Gryphon Trio, the Borealis String Quartet, and Jonathan Crow.

Sharon Jin is a violinist/violist from Toronto and is an undergraduate violin performance student at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Annalee Patipatanakoon. There, she has worked with Aaron Schwebel, Mark Fewer, Jeremy Bell, and Erika Raum. For her musical and academic work at UofT, she has received awards including the Arthur Plettner Scholarship and the Fairways Concert Scholarship. 

In 2026, Sharon participated in Orford Musique’s summer academy under Callum Smart, supported by the David and Marcia Beach Summer Study Award. A dedicated chamber musician, she has performed in masterclasses and concerts at Cascade Peaks Chamber Music Festival, working with musicians including Jonathan Crow, the Gryphon Trio, and the Borealis String Quartet.

Irene is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music. Growing up in Toronto, she began her piano studies at age three and earned her ARCT Performance Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music with First Class Honours with Distinction in 2018. She also studied violin from the age of four, receiving the Royal Conservatory of Music Gold Medal for the highest ARCT violin mark in Ontario in 2022.

Irene has extensive experience collaborating with instrumentalists and vocalists in a wide range of settings, including recitals, competitions, festivals, and examinations. She has served as pianist of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, collaborative pianist for the North Toronto Songbirds, and composer-in-residence for the Chinese Artists Society of Toronto Youth Orchestra, working closely with young artists in both solo and chamber contexts.

Viviana Chan holds the ARCT Diploma in Violin Performance from RCM.  She completed her RCM Level 10 practical exam in January 2020.  She has studied with Mrs. Norma Varkki, Mr. Tak Kwan, and Jacob Lakirovich. Viviana is currently studying at the University of Toronto for a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. Viviana has competed at various music competitions, receiving numerous awards and scholarships, including: Oshawa-Whitby Kiwanis Music Festival, The Cy & Rita Powell Memorial Senior Instrumental Scholarship (2022), Yip’s Music Festival, Best of Festival (2022), Outstanding Senior Violin Award.

Viviana also enjoys playing the piano.  After studying with Dr. Michael Esch for a year, she completed her level 10 practical exam in June 2021. Viviana currently teaches violin and piano at Dragonfly Music Academy.

Violin/Viola performer and pedagogist. Tony specializes in teaching beginner music students at the Toronto Chinese Music School and playing in chamber groups. He has played in many groups, including the QY String Chamber and the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Tony loves learning a variety of instruments and collecting as much esoteric knowledge as possible. 

He is currently attending the University of Toronto and studying with Remi Pelletier.