The Canadian Opera Company today announced the names of five student musicians selected to participate in their annual three-week training program aimed at training the next generation of musicians to perform in an opera orchestra.

Out of a pool of eight candidates, the chosen string players are Felipe Muñoz Garcia and Kimberly Durflinger (violin), Lucas Alan Blekeberg (viola); Kimberly Miyoung Jeong (cello), and Freddy Speer (bass).

Under the guidance of COC Music Director Johannes Debus, students will receive one-on-one mentorship from Jayne Maddison, first violin; Elizabeth Johnston, second violin; Catherine Gray, viola; Bryan Epperson, cello; and Tom Hazlitt, bass.

“There is more to being part of an opera orchestra than playing an instrument,” said COC Music Director Johannes Debus in a press release statement. “…The 2018 Orchestra Academy will benefit from the expertise of some of the most important and respected figures in the industry across a variety of fields, from world-class artists and musicians, to members of the COC’s technical and administrative staff. This holistic training approach is an opportunity aspiring young musicians can’t get anywhere else in this country.”

The student musicians will perform on opening night of the COC’s production of Verdi’s Rigoletto on January 20, conducted by Stephen Lord. They will also perform a recital on January 25 as part of the COC’s Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, featuring the music of Respighi and Schoenberg, accompanied by their COC Orchestra mentors and artists of the COC Ensemble Studio.

The COC Orchestra Academy program runs January 7 – 26, 2018.

LUDWIG VAN TORONTO

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Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent is the Editor-in-chief Ludwig Van and CEO of Museland Media. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 15 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.

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