Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra

Sabatino Vacca, Music Director

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.

2011-2012 Winners

Dayoung Seo

Dayoung Seo 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 (MCI), where she participated in various school music ensembles as the sectional leader. Dayoung Seo 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 and Peter A. Goulding & Frank (Barry) White String Scholarship. She is currently working towards completing her bachelor's degree in the Concurrent Teacher Education Program for Music at University of Toronto and is studying with Shauna Rolston.

Angel Ji

Angel Ji's musical journey started in November of 2007 when she began studying cello under the tutelage of Mr. James (Guo Cheng) Xia. Under the excellent tutoring of Mr. Xia, in the years 2007, 2008, Angel held the position of Principle Cellist in All City Orchestra. Within two years of studying cello, Angel obtained her grade 8 RCM for cello with First Class Honors. In 2010, she also passed her grade 9 cello with First Class Honors. Upon graduating from John G. Althouse middle school, Angel received the Bernie Reuben award for Outstanding Strings Musician and during her years at John G, she held leadership positions in the school ensembles. Currently a grade 11 student at Martingrove Collegiate Institute, Angel is also the principle cellist of Chamber Orchestra. In addition, Angel has been an active musician even outside of school; she is the principle cellist at Mr. Tam Chuen’s OCYSO orchestra and is also a member of the CAST music society. Over the years, she has also participated in numerous performances and has gained valuable experience. In March of 2011, Angel participated in the Kiwanis Festival and won two first place gold medals in grade 9 cello performance.

Satoko Kaneko

Satoko Kaneko started to play the violin when she was 12 years old. As a student she played in many orchestras. In junior high she achieved honours in a school string orchestra contest. She has a university degree in music from Japan. Satoko joined Beverly Hills International Chamber Music Festival And Master Classes in 2005. Satoko went to Vietnam to join an orchestra festival in 2007. She has studied violin with Kazuo Yageta, Margrit France, Sachika Mizuno, Tatsuo Ogura, Naohisa Miyama, and Hiroko Abe. Satoko has also studied ensemble playing as well. After she graduated, she has played in amateur orchestras as an extra violinist. Currently Satoko is a college student in Toronto.