University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra (UTSO) Graduate Conductors

The UTSO concerts are made possible in part by a generous gift from Neville Austin. 

PROGRAM 

Suite from Belshazzar's Feast
I. Oriental Procession
II. Solitude
III. Night Music
IV. Khadra’s Dance
Jean Sibelius (1865–1957)
Emma Collete Moss, conductor

L'Italiana in Algeri Overture
Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868)
Yuan Chen, conductor

The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave)
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
Peter Min, conductor

Così Fan Tutte Overture
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Elianna Van Raalte, conductor

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (UTSO)

Violin I
Jeanny Jung, concertmaster
Natasha Hendra
Monica Lakshmi Vipanchi Rallabhandi
William Sale
Kasey Scoboria
Qiqi Zhang

Violin II
Christine Yanfei Wang, principal
Melie Inageda
Lauren Da-Hyun Lee
Sophie Reimer-Epp
Deborah Alexandra White

Viola
Meika Sonntag, principal
Dai Hao (Tony) Chen
Yinren (Gavin) Li
Gabriella Caitlyn Liu
Tate Zdanowicz

Cello
Maria Antonia Cambre, principal
Tzu-Chieh (Jill) Liang
Mariana Pit Torres Siebiger
Daniel Ulloa Garcia

Double Bass
Benjamin Kemppainen, principal
Jude Littlefield Buschlen

Flute/Piccolo
Anwen Robertson
Eleanor Song

Oboe
Jason Fan
Chelyn Yoo

Clarinet
Farimah Khorrami
Ya-Tsun (Niki) Tang

Bassoon
Kendal Morrison
Jaclyn Yee

Horn
Julia Fowell
Dia Tam

Trumpet
Grace Locker
Justin Ko

Timpani/Percussion
Elyssa Arde
Johnathan Huard

BIOGRAPHIES

Emma Colette Moss is a Czech-Canadian conductor and pianist with a passionate commitment to enhancing the accessibility of music for all audiences. She is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Toronto, under the guidance of Professor Uri Mayer. She completed her Undergraduate Degree with Honours in Composition and Piano Performance and Master’s of Music in Orchestral Conducting in Toronto, where she received numerous awards such as the Monika Ryckman and Ben McPeek Scholarships, University of Toronto Fellowship, and Federal SSHRC CGS-M Award. She has studied under artists and academics such as Tania Miller, Daniel Raiskin, Kenneth Kiesler, and Larysa Kuzmenko. In collaboration with Toronto Children’s Chorus, Orchestra Breva, Concreamus Choir, Babel Chorus, Mississauga & Oakville Symphony Orchestras, and Navona Records, amongst others, Emma Colette Moss has shown herself to be an emerging artist of note, developing her abilities for well over 15 years. An active educator, she has both private and group lesson experience spanning 10+ years, maintaining a substantial waitlist of private piano, theory, and conducting students both for her effectiveness and warm demeanour, specializing in music education for young children.

She has served as Assistant Conductor of Pax Christi Chorale and Apprentice Conductor of Orchestra Toronto and has held Assistant Conductor Positions with the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Oakville Symphony. Additionally, she is co-founder and co-director of the Sinfonietta Aionia, an ensemble that uses orchestral performance as a catalyst for social change. — In 2023, Emma was invited to both the Conductor’s Retreat at Medomak, hosted by Kenneth Kiesler and the Medomak Symphony Orchestra, and the 2023 RBC Canadian Conductor’s Showcase, hosted by Daniel Raiskin, Monica Chen, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, she assumes the role of Assistant Conductor with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada under the guidance of Tania Miller.

Yuan Chen holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Memorial University. She is currently in her first year of the Doctor of Musical Arts program in Choral conducting at the University of Toronto. 

Previously, Yuan served as the Musical Director at Nomad Stages in Stephenville, Newfoundland, where she led her choir to win the Best Choir award at the Stephenville Rotary Music Festival. This summer, she also took on the role of Music Director for the 46th Stephenville Theatre Festival, further showcasing her exceptional leadership and communication skills. Additionally, she is a guest conductor for The Atlantic Boy Choir. 

With over a decade of experience conducting choirs of all ages—from children to university students and seniors—Yuan has garnered significant accolades. She led the Chorus of the Department of History at Fudan University to a Silver Award in the Annual Chorus Competition and directed the Chorus of East China University of Political Science and Law to a Third Prize, both starting from scratch with no prior music background.

In addition to her choral achievements, Yuan has a rich background in the performing arts as an improvisation theatre actress, film producer, and director for five years.

Peter Min is a conductor currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Uri Mayer. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Schulich School of Music at McGill University with a double major in composition and theory. His compositions have been performed at various festivals including the Tuckamore Festival in St. John’s, Zodiac Festival in Valdeblore, and Impulse New Music Festival in Los Angeles. Having studied with the distinguished Canadian composer Brian Cherney, Peter takes special interest performing contemporary Canadian repertoire and new music by living composers.

Prior to pursuing his musical career, Peter studied pharmacy at the University of Alberta and has been a practicing pharmacist since 2018.

Elianna Van Raalte is a violinist originally from the Hamilton area with an active career freelancing and teaching in the GTA. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance as well as a Diploma in Chamber Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, she is currently pursuing a Masters in Violin Performance at the University of Toronto, studying with Erika Raum. She recently earned a position as Principal Second violinist of the Huronia Symphony and has a fellowship as a member of the Irene Miller Graduate String Quartet. Her passion for music includes contemporary music and especially anything with a beautiful melody! With a variety of musical interests, she has been involved in many disciplines, from accompanying choirs on piano, to assistant teaching musical skills and theory courses, to conducting. She is honoured to have the opportunity to work with the UTSO as a graduate conductor!