OSYO Symphony 2024-25 Graduates

I started playing the piano at the age of four and picked up the violin when I was eight. I'm currently playing at the ARCT RCM level and have had the honour of winning several competitions, including first place at the 2023 OMFA Violin Provincial Finals.

Over the past nine years, I’ve played in all four ensembles of the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra and served as Concertmaster of the Symphony. I’ve also performed with the Oakville Symphony and was part of the Burlington Symphony Orchestra through the Young Artists Mentorship Award. Since 2019, I’ve been a member of the OSYO Quartet, performing at retirement homes, hospitals, and community events across Oakville. In addition to performing, I’ve mentored younger musicians by coaching string sections and playing alongside them. As the OSYO's Media Coordinator, I’ve taken on all graphic design work for posters, concert programs, and digital marketing.

My favourite memory of OSYO is most definitely our New York trip and playing in Carnegie Hall. I’ve met some of my closest friends at this orchestra and I’m forever grateful I got this wonderful experience.

Outside of music, I volunteer weekly at Oakville Trafalgar Hospital. I’m now beginning my studies in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Toronto.

Hi, my name is Ryan Yu. I started playing the violin when I was eight years old and joined the OSYO four years later. The 2024-2025 season has been my sixth with the orchestra. I started in the philharmonia and later joined the symphony, eventually becoming a violin section leader. Playing in the OSYO has allowed me to refine my orchestral musicianship skills, as well as form lasting friendships, for which I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity.

In addition to my role in the OSYO, I have played as part of the young artist mentorship program in the Burlington Symphony Orchestra for three years, have obtained an ARCT in piano, and am working towards my ARCT in violin. This September, I will be attending the University of Waterloo and Laurier University in Kitchener as I pursue their business administration and mathematics double degree program. Although I am not pursuing musical studies in the fall, I hope that my passion for music will continue to bring countless hours of joy to my life!

I began playing piano when I was 5, and started playing (exclusively) mallet percussion in grade 9, for music class and band. I joined the OSYO after a couple of my friends who were in the orchestra convinced me to, after I saw the Star Wars concert, and spent a summer teaching myself enough snare drum to audition. After being surprised (and embarrassed) with my first timpani part, I remember going home that night and promising myself that I would either become really good at percussion or leave the orchestra. Luckily, my work paid off and I discovered a new passion for percussion that I never could've expected. When I returned for the 2024-2025 season, I also had the opportunity to join the Oakville Symphony, where I was challenged to learn a lot of music in a short amount of time. 

My favourite memory would have to be the New York trip. It's really hard to choose, but my favourite part was pulling an all-nighter with my friends and playing cards in the hotel gym at 5 in the morning. I'm immensely grateful for that opportunity – Without the trip, I wouldn't have been able to meet so many amazing people. Although I've only been in the orchestra for 2 short years, it feels like it's been a lot longer. In the (very) near future, I'll be going to the University of Toronto for Engineering Science, as I love math, problem-solving, and building things. 

Hello, my name is Ethan and I have been playing violin in the OSYO for quite a while. I started playing with the Sinfonia and Philharmonia in elementary school (around Grade 6 I think). I later played with the symphony for all of high school. I am truly grateful for my conductors Mrs. Allen and Colin who have shaped my musical journey over the years. Playing with this orchestra has been so exciting and allowed me to form many amazing friendships. It also provided me with a break and an outlet from school which I am really thankful for.

My favourite memory was exploring New York and playing at Carnegie Hall with my friends! I will be attending the Royal Veterinary College in London (England) to study veterinary medicine!

Keegan Hedley joined the OSYO Bassoon Section in the Fall of 2024, eager to expand his musical experience. He began his bassoon studies in 2021 with Angela Maccaroni in his grade nine music class but has since began studying privately with Anna Norris. His education has been quite diverse, taking various lessons with notable Canadian players like Eric Hall and Martin Mangrum among others, as well as performing a masterclass at Laurier with Dr. Jeffrey Lyman from the University of Michigan. Hedley has served as Principal Bassoon of the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and is a section player in the OSYO, and Sinfonia Ancaster. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with the OSYO this year on their tour to New York City. 

Keegan Hedley is pursuing a degree in Orchestral Performance (bassoon) at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music with Dr. Martin Mangrum and Stéphane Lévesque this Autumn. He has been awarded multiple generous scholarships from the institution, and will be leaving Ontario this summer. He is incredibly excited to experience a new city, new teachers, and a new orchestra. Hedley is particularly grateful to those who have helped him achieve his goals, as well as his family, notably Angela Maccaroni, Larissa Basset, Anna Norris, Eric Hall, Fraser Jackson, and Nancy Nelson, among many others.

Hello, my name is Olivia Zhang. I play the violin and joined the OSYO during the 2023-2024 season. I have 14 years of playing and 3 years of youth orchestra experience. OSYO is the first symphony orchestra I've been playing since I came to Canada. I really enjoy every moment we make some beautiful and passionate music.

My favourite memory from the OSYO was the exciting moments that music brought to us when we were on stage as a group. I also enjoy travelling, baking, singing and hanging out with my friends. For the next step in my life, I am going to Western University for medical sciences.

My name is Kachi and I played 3 seasons at osyo and I play bass clarinet. I remember first joining the orchestra being a bit nervous about playing orchestral music. But in no time I found my place at osyo. The moment I knew I belonged in osyo was the 4th movement of respighis pines of rome. Just being in that moment with the triumphant brass and powerful strings playing their hearts out in the final few measures made me realize how passionate these group of musicians are. They play like the instrument is an extenstion of their soul, and that is something that i wanted to achieve.

This community has taught me so much not just in music but in how to truly express myself and i am forever grateful for that. I am going to the university of british columbia for applied biology in hopes of going to med school!!!

Hey everyone! My name is Daniel, and I’ve had the privilege of playing in the OSYO for the past three years. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing orchestra, and especially thankful to my fellow musicians and to Colin for making it such a truly memorable experience. I’ve been lucky to form so many friendships with people who share the same passion for music, and I’ll always cherish the lessons I’ve learned, both musical and otherwise (including keeping up with all of Colin’s pop culture references!).

Next year, I’ll be attending the University of Guelph to pursue a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, with the goal of one day going to medical school. I’m excited for the musical opportunities still ahead of me, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

Hi! My name is Oscar and I've played the clarinet in the OSYO for the past 3 years. I really enjoyed all the orchestra rehearsals and concerts, and I made a lot of friends in the OSYO. The symphony taught me a lot about collaboration through music making as well. My favourite memory in the OSYO was chatting with friends about the pieces and excerpts that we had performed in the past, and replaying some of them together. It always reminded me of how special it was to play such iconic and exciting works, and even more so that we remembered parts of them.

In the future, I am going to the University of Waterloo to study computer science, as math and programming have always been strong interests of mine. In my free time, I love playing and watching basketball, playing video games, and of course playing the clarinet. I wish that music will continue to be a meaningful part of my life!

OSYO Graduating Symphony Musicians 2024-25

OSYO Symphony 2023-24 Graduates

Hello! My name is Ethelyn Fu and I play violin in the OSYO! I joined last year as part of the symphony which is the only orchestra I've played in. Some of my interests are soap, cross-stitching and biology/chem, which are my favorite subjects in general. My post-secondary plans involve either attending UofT Life Science or McMaster Health Science, which I'm debating between because I'm not yet set on if I'm interested in med school in the future or not.

My best memory from the OSYO was this one time I came with a friend to test what being in the symphony was like about two, three years ago. I was absolutely bewildered. Nothing made sense. Music was just playing and I couldn't even see the stand. To any new members I think that the most important thing is to try to have fun, since that's the whole highlight of going to symphony 🙂

Angel Gao is a young musician currently studying at White Oaks Secondary School as a grade 12 student. She began her harp studies in 2018 under the guidance of Dr. Teresa Suen-Campbell. Angel has achieved outstanding accomplishments, including the Bronze Medal in the 2023 Vancouver International Music Competition and First Place in the Ontario Music Festival.

Since 2022, Angel has held the position of principal harpist with the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra. With a passion for the harp, Angel is on the path to achieving her dream of becoming a professional harpist.

OSYO Symphony 2022-23 Graduates

Jacob Caporiccio’s virtuosic technique has soared audiences through his “operatic, focused, and ethereal” qualities.

Jacob has held the position of Principal Flute of the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2019, under the direction of the illustrious, Colin Clarke, and has also worked with the Oakville Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony Orchestra, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, among others. Additionally, Jacob previously studied with Susan Hoeppner at the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, where he deepened his knowledge with the nostalgic repertoire for the flute as a soloist and chamber partner.

Jacob is a dedicated student, participating in classes with Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway, Ransom Wilson, Jeanne Baxtresser, Jennifer Gunn, and Marina Piccinini, and has worked closely with Ulla Miilmann and Kelly Zimba-Lukic. Jacob is forever in debt to his teachers; acclaimed Canadian flautist – Leslie Newman.

This September, Jacob will be attending the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying with Samuel Coles.

OSYO Alumni

The OSYO has played a major part in my growth as a musician.
Practicing with other musicians every week, preparing for the concerts, the retreats and of course Vienna - are all experiences that went a long way in building my confidence. Colin Clarke is a great motivator and one couldn't ask for a better conductor for our age group. Together with Carol Allen, they will ensure that every musician joining the OSYO family will thoroughly enjoy the experience. My years with the OSYO helped me with being selected for the Young Artists Award with the Oakville Symphony. As I prepare to start university in September, I hope to continue nurturing my love for music that was formed with the OSYO.

Alex Balan