EPO Student Scholarship
The Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra will provide scholarships for up to four violin, viola, cello or bass players (any combination) per season, from secondary school or college/university.
The goal of this scholarship is to provide young musicians with orchestral experience and some financial support to develop their skills and build their experience.
Auditions are held in the Spring prior to the season. Term will last from September to June. Successful candidates will be expected to attend all EPO rehearsals and all EPO concerts.
2012-2013 Winners
Anthony Reyes began studying trumpet at the age of 9. He is currently studying with Bob Gray, and Barton Woomert. Anthony attends the Claude Watson Arts program at Earl Haig Secondary School. Anthony has performed with the Mississauga Symphony, Hannaford Youth Band, JAZZ FM big band, Salvation Army Brass band and is a member of the Etobicoke Philharmonic since 2011. In 2010, Anthony was awarded the "Most Promising Young Brass Player" scholarship award during the Kiwanis music festival. A milestone in Anthony's education in Music was his attendance at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute during the summer of 2011 and 2012 where he performed with the Young Artists Orchestra.
During his time in Boston, he studied with Terry Everson, David Krauss, Tom Siders and perform under the direction of conductors Paul Haas and Ryan McAdams. Anthony continues pursuing music as he prepares for University auditions this year in his next step of his journey.
Dayoung Seo, born in South Korea, began her music education on piano at age six. After immigrating to Canada in 2001, she began playing cello at age 11 with the instrumental music program at John G. Althouse Middle School. At age 16, she started taking lessons from Daniela Kepowicz. She continued playing cello throughout highschool years as part of the music program at Martingrove Collegiate Institute, where she participated in various school music ensembles as the sectional leader. Dayoung played with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra for the 2009-2010 season and has been playing with the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra since 2007. She is the winner of the Bernie Reuben Music Award, the Toronto Secondary School Music Teachers' Association scholarship, Peter A. Goulding & Frank (Barry) White String Scholarship, Laura Kinton Muir Prize, and is the winner of the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra Student Scholarship for three consecutive years. She has performed in several chamber music master classes and takes interest in performing contemporary music. Dayoung has studied with Rachel Mercer and Joowon Kim, and is currently studying under Shauna Rolston. She is working towards completing her undergraduate degree in the Concurrent Teacher Education Program for Music at University of Toronto.
Kevin Sleno, born in Orangeville, Ontario, is currently a bassoonist at University of Toronto. Started off by Sterling McNay, his teachers have included Kathleen McLean and Nadina Mackie Jackson. Kevin was a piano teacher for four years and is an avid reed-maker. While more of a soloist, he has played with a long list of orchestral groups all across western/central Ontario as well as in Toronto, has attended Domaine Forget and currently holds a position with the Georgian Bay Symphony and Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra. He finds inspiration in European bassoonists, and plans to study there if he continues music into graduate school. This year he looks forward to presenting an extended recital at UofT featuring only unheard gems, particularly of the middle and late romantic period (which is nearly nonexistent in the bassoon repertory) and his own concertpiece. He will be a prominent soloist at the bassoon studio's Vivaldi concert in December. Kevin also has a huge interest in bassoon bibliographic research.
Peter Bye began his study of the trombone at the age of ten. Originally from Boston, is interest in orchestral music developed in his last year of high school when he began playing with a local orchestra. After that, he went to university in New York studying engineering before focusing on music full-time in Toronto. He is currently in his third year at the University of Toronto studying under Jeff Hall. Peter has performed with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and is in his second season with the Etobicoke Philharmonic.
2011-2012 Winners
- Dayoung Seo, Cello
- Angel Ji, Cello
- Satoko Kaneko, Violin