2025 - 2026 Golden Violin Award Semi-Finalists
The Golden Violin Award was established in 2006 by businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich, a year after he donated $20 million to 成人VR视频鈥檚 Schulich School of Music. Made of pewter and gold plate, the Golden Violin remains on permanent display in 成人VR视频鈥檚 Marvin Duchow Music Library. This year marks the monumental 20th edition of the Golden Violin Award.听
Following a rigorous selection process and competition, the Golden Violin Award is presented each year to an outstanding string player currently enrolled in the Schulich School of Music. The winner receives a generous scholarship, valued this year at $30,000, as well as a smaller likeness of the violin in the form of a 14-karat gold lapel pin. In addition, the winner may be invited to play in a recital at 成人VR视频 or at one of its partner institutions. The 2022-2023 edition saw the introduction of additional prize听offerings by听the Schulich Foundation: the finalists who place second and third will each receive $15,000 and $5,000, respectively.
Each finalist has worked tirelessly to prepare a program that reflects not only their technical mastery but also their artistic individuality. For full bios and details on the repertoire selected, please refer to the programme.
Before the music begins, let鈥檚 take a moment to hear from the semi-finalists themselves! We asked each of them a few questions to give you a glimpse of their journey and personality beyond the stage. Their answers are as unique and inspiring as their performances鈥攕o let鈥檚 dive in and get to know the incredible artists behind the music! (Listed in performance order).
Joey Machin, violin听
1.听What鈥檚 one practice tip that has helped you prepare for this competition?
A little tip for deciding on bowings: if it鈥檚 not up bow, it鈥檚 down bow.
2.听Who or what inspires you most as a musician?
Bill Evans
3.听If you could describe your musical journey in three words, what would they be?
Work, trust, collaboration.
4.听How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
I feel lucky to have spent this time at the Schulich School of Music around peers and mentors who share a deep appreciation for chamber music. I would credit my dedicated and generous teacher, Violaine Melan莽on, and the school鈥檚 wonderful opportunities for chamber music coachings, masterclasses, and competitions for opening my ears and inspiring me.
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Braden McConnell, cello
1. What鈥檚 one practice tip that has helped you prepare for this competition?
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
2. Who or what inspires you most as a musician?
Performing with Gilles Apap inspired me to approach music with more freedom and curiosity. He plays with technical mastery, but even more importantly, with joy, spontaneity, and a sense of discovery that highlights how rewarding making music can be.
3. If you could describe your musical journey in three words, what would they be?
Listening, Refining, Sharing
4. How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
The years I have spent at 成人VR视频 have been some of the most artistically rewarding years of my life. Professor Manker has helped me grow in both how I approach the cello and how I think about music. Over my time at 成人VR视频, I prepared my first solo cello recital, participated in the Musical Chairs Festival, and performed the Khachaturian Cello Concerto with the 成人VR视频 Symphony Orchestra. The quartet that I formed at 成人VR视频 has been instrumental in my development. We have performed across Canada and last year we competed in the Wigmore Hall International Quartet Competition. Coachings with Professor Roy have taught me what it means to be a quartet cellist, inspiring me to listen in a more thoughtful, intentional way.
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Joseph Tsao, violin
1. What鈥檚 one practice tip that has helped you prepare for this competition?
Recording myself practicing has helped tremendously.听
2. Who or what inspires you most as a musician?
Richard Strauss.
3. If you could describe your musical journey in three words, what would they be?
Rewarding, disciplined, sentimental.
4. How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
Studying at the Schulich School of Music has helped me grow by surrounding me with supportive friends, great musicians, and wonderful professors who have shaped the way I think about playing. My teacher, Andrew Wan, has been especially inspiring, always pushing me and encouraging me to perform at the best of my abilities. One experience that stands out was serving as concertmaster for the 成人VR视频 Symphony Orchestra in Strauss鈥檚 Also Sprach Zarathustra. It was an unforgettable experience and gave me valuable insight into working alongside other musicians and leading a large ensemble.
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Fran莽ois Lamontagne, cello
1. What鈥檚 one practice tip that has helped you prepare for this competition?
Play for friends to get different kinds of feedback!
2. Who or what inspires you most as a musician?
I admire musicians that stay "pure" to the music and remind me that it is fun to play. Musician should be the best job in the world!
3. If you could describe your musical journey in three words, what would they be?
Slowly getting there.听
4. How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
Studying at Schulich allowed me to meet the most important people in my life at the moment, as friends, colleagues and teacher. All of them had a role in who I am right now as a musician and as a human. I feel like I should be thanking them every day! In my case, chamber music specifically allowed me to go above my limits and to see the world with competitions and different festivals. Without Schulich, it definitely would not have been possible!
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Tsubasa Muramatsu, violin听
1. What鈥檚 one practice tip that has helped you prepare for this competition?
A lot of run throughs.听
2. Who or what inspires you most as a musician?
My teacher, Andrew Wan.听
3. If you could describe your musical journey in three words, what would they be?
Evolving, challenging, fulfilling.听
4. How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
Studying at the Schulich School has pushed me outside my comfort zone and motivated me to challenge myself constantly. The concerto competition would definitely be the one that has the most significant impact on my development, with the support from my wonderful teacher Andrew Wan who has supported me through every challenge and keeps inspiring me every lesson.
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