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Introducing Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser our Music Director for 2026 and 2027Learn more

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NYO Canada Announces Liam Ritz as the 2026 Winner of the NYO Canada & SOCAN Foundation Composer Mentorship Program

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2 days ago

10+ Years of SOCAN Foundation Partnership 🎼

For over a decade, the SOCAN Foundation has championed emerging Canadian composers through their partnership with NYO Canada—investing in the future of orchestral music, one commission at a time.

Meet some of the composers who’ve shaped NYO’s sound:
🎵 2019: Jared Miller
🎵 2020: Leo Purich
🎵 2022: Katerina Gimon
🎵 2023: Kalen Smith
🎵 2024: Danial Sheibani
🎵 2025: Nicholas Denton Protsack
🎵 2026: Liam Ritz

Each of these composers brought their unique voice to NYO Canada. Each piece pushed our musicians to engage with living, breathing contemporary music. Each commission became part of Canada’s cultural legacy.

The SOCAN Foundation doesn’t just fund one-off commissions. They invest in long-term relationships with emerging composers, giving them mentorship, professional development, and the chance to work with exceptional young musicians.

As Liam Ritz put it: “The future of this art form relies on nurturing both the next generation of performers AND composers. It’s a community effort!”

Thank you, SOCAN Foundation, for over a decade of supporting emerging Canadian voices and ensuring the future of orchestral music is vibrant, diverse, and alive.

#ThankfulThursday #NYOCanada #SOCANFoundation #CanadianComposers #EmergingArtists ... See MoreSee Less

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NYO Canada
5 days ago

"There's a rare honesty and depth in his playing that goes straight to the heart, and that same integrity and openness are reflected in the way he interacts with others."

NYO alum Rachel Szabo on studying with flutist Julien Beaudiment in Paris.

Rachel has been fortunate to study with teachers who combine exceptional artistry with a deeply human approach. During her master's in Copenhagen, she studied with Ulla Millmann, who taught her that "vulnerability is a strength, and that being a musician means leading with honesty."

Currently performing with the Canadian Opera Company alongside Julie Ranti (recently retired Associate Principal with the TSO, who also used to teach at NYO), Rachel's career illustrates how mentorship threads through every stage of a musical life.

This June, she'll perform Mahler's Second Symphony in Lyon alongside Beaudiment - "an experience I once would have only dreamed of."

#NYOCanada #NYOAlumni #Mentorship #ClassicalMusic #FlutePerformance ... See MoreSee Less

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NYO Canada
1 week ago

🎼For years, the SOCAN Foundation has championed emerging Canadian composers through its partnership with NYO Canada. Today, we're thrilled to announce Liam Ritz as the 2026 Winner of the NYO Canada / SOCAN
Foundation Composer Mentorship Program.

Liam's journey with NYO started in 2022 as a runner-up for the SOCAN Foundation Composer Mentor Program. In 2024, his piece Four Folkless-Songs premiered at NYO ChamberFest. Now, he's composing a brand new work for our 2026 Orchestra.

Recently named one of CBC's "30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30," Liam's work has been performed across Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia. He's currently the RBC Affiliate Composer with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

"Some of these players may never have worked with a living composer," Liam explains. "I hope they leave excited by contemporary music. The future of this art form relies on nurturing both the next generation of performers AND composers. It's a community effort!"

Thank you, SOCAN Foundation, for investing in emerging composers like Liam and creating opportunities for our musicians to work with Canada's next generation of musical innovators.

Hear Liam's piece this summer!:
July 18, Toronto - World Premier!
July 22, Parry Sound
July 26, Ottawa

🇨🇦 Congratulations, Liam! We can't wait to hear what you create. 🎵

#NYOCanada #SOCANFoundation #CanadianComposers #EmergingArtists ... See MoreSee Less

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10+ Years of SOCAN Foundation Partnership 🎼 For o 10+ Years of SOCAN Foundation Partnership 🎼 For over a decade, the SOCAN Foundation has championed emerging Canadian composers through their partnership with NYO Canada—investing in the future of orchestral music, one commission at a time. Meet some of the composers who’ve shaped NYO’s sound: 🎵 2019: Jared Miller 🎵 2020: Leo Purich 🎵 2022: Katerina Gimon 🎵 2023: Kalen Smith 🎵 2024: Danial Sheibani 🎵 2025: Nicholas Denton Protsack 🎵 2026: Liam Ritz Each of these composers brought their unique voice to NYO Canada. Each piece pushed our musicians to engage with living, breathing contemporary music. Each commission became part of Canada’s cultural legacy. The SOCAN Foundation doesn’t just fund one-off commissions. They invest in long-term relationships with emerging composers, giving them mentorship, professional development, and the chance to work with exceptional young musicians. As Liam Ritz put it: “The future of this art form relies on nurturing both the next generation of performers AND composers. It’s a community effort!” Thank you, SOCAN Foundation, for over a decade of supporting emerging Canadian voices and ensuring the future of orchestral music is vibrant, diverse, and alive. #ThankfulThursday #NYOCanada #SOCANFoundation #CanadianComposers #EmergingArtists
“There’s a rare honesty and depth in his playing t “There’s a rare honesty and depth in his playing that goes straight to the heart, and that same integrity and openness are reflected in the way he interacts with others.” NYO alum Rachel Szabo on studying with flutist Julien Beaudiment in Paris. Rachel has been fortunate to study with teachers who combine exceptional artistry with a deeply human approach. During her master’s in Copenhagen, she studied with Ulla Millmann, who taught her that “vulnerability is a strength, and that being a musician means leading with honesty.” Recently wrapped performing with the Canadian Opera Company alongside Julie Ranti (recently retired Associate Principal with the TSO, who also used to teach at NYO), Rachel’s career illustrates how mentorship threads through every stage of a musical life. This June, she’ll perform Mahler’s Second Symphony in Lyon alongside Beaudiment - “an experience I once would have only dreamed of.” #NYOCanada #NYOAlumni #Mentorship #ClassicalMusic #FlutePerformance
The auditions are in. The panels are reviewing. Th The auditions are in. The panels are reviewing. The graphic designer is… figuring it out. Here’s what’s coming your way in March: 🏆 Award winners announced 📋 2026 orchestra roster revealed 🎵 Full repertoire list (yes, finally) → All the details you’ve been waiting for If you auditioned: Emails from NYO Canada are coming soon. You’ll have a specific deadline to accept your spot, so: ✅ Check your inbox daily ✅ Check your spam folder NOW ✅ Add @nyoc.org to your safe senders We don’t want you missing out because Gmail thought we were suspicious. David, we believe in you. Somehow. 🎨 #BehindTheScenes #NYOCanada #SeasonAnnouncement #GraphicDesignerLife #MarchIsComing
🎼For years, the SOCAN Foundation has championed em 🎼For years, the SOCAN Foundation has championed emerging Canadian composers through its partnership with NYO Canada. Today, we're thrilled to announce the 2026 NYO Canada & SOCAN Foundation Composer Mentorship Program: Liam Ritz. Liam's journey with NYO started in 2022 as a runner-up for the SOCAN Foundation Composer Mentor Program. In 2024, his piece Four Folkless-Songs premiered at NYO ChamberFest. Now, he's composing a brand new work for our 2026 Orchestra. Recently named one of CBC's "30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30," Liam's work has been performed across Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia. He's currently the RBC Affiliate Composer with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. "Some of these players may never have worked with a living composer," Liam explains. "I hope they leave excited by contemporary music. The future of this art form relies on nurturing both the next generation of performers AND composers. It's a community effort!" Thank you, SOCAN Foundation, for investing in emerging composers like Liam and creating opportunities for our musicians to work with Canada's next generation of musical innovators. Hear Liam's piece this summer: July 18, Toronto - World Premier! July 22, Parry Sound July 26, Ottawa 🇨🇦 Congratulations, Liam! We can't wait to hear what you create. 🎵 #NYOCanada #SOCANFoundation #CanadianComposers #EmergingArtists
💙 Brayden was an NYO trombone player (2015-2018), 💙 Brayden was an NYO trombone player (2015-2018), then worked on our staff. He’s seen this organization from every angle. Now he gives $15 every month because: “I truly believe NYO Canada is the most important organization contributing to the future of young classical musicians in Canada—providing unparalleled experiences, expert pedagogy, and constant innovations.” $15/month = $180/year. That covers one musician’s music rentals for the entire summer. Or meals during a week of intensive rehearsals. Or part of the mental health support every musician receives. And when donors like Brayden give $15/month consistently, it adds up to the stable funding we need to support 92 musicians every summer. You don’t need to give a lot to make a difference. You just need to show up every month. Can you join Brayden at $15/month? Even $10/month makes an impact when we’re in this together. Start your monthly gift → Link in bio 📷 2018, warming up with the trombone section in Parry Sound 📷 2018, low brass section on stage after the concert 📷 2023, Production Staff members Brayden Friesen, Cynthia Le, Clarence Frazer, Jacob Valcheff, and Chris Lamont outside the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts! #ThankfulThursday #MakeItMonthly #NYOCanada #MonthlyDonor #15DollarsMatters
“No ego. We’re here to make music.” NYO Canada a “No ego. We’re here to make music.” NYO Canada alum Bobby Thompson shares how one phrase from conductor Sascha Goetzel during his first summer at NYO Canada has stuck with him through conservatory and into his professional career. “Of course musicians are passionate and it’s in our nature to be competitive but there is often no practical use in thinking you’re better than anyone else. In competitive environments filled with young amazing artists, it’s often easy to fall into quick rude commentary or trying to one up another player and I think that energy could be spent elsewhere.” Bobby, who just won the bassoon position with Orchestre symphonique de Québec, credits NYO Canada with teaching him that “there is always more gained from making friends and collaborating openly with people, rather than trying to compare oneself to them.” “Some of my best and closest friends are from the two transformative summers at NYO, they are some of the most expressive, kind, funny, and generous musicians and people I know and they helped me grow as a player after those summers.” #NYOCanada #NYOAlumni #MusicCommunity #Collaboration
We thought it was time to properly introduce ourse We thought it was time to properly introduce ourselves. With dignity. With professionalism. With baby photos. Your 2026 NYO Canada staff: 📸 Slide 1: Christie - runs the whole organization - Chief Executive Officer 📸 Slide 2: Chris - makes 92 musicians + 8 concerts work logistically - Director of Operations and Artistic Planning 📸 Slide 3: Andrés - connects with Alumni & donors - Director of Impact and Engagement 📸 Slide 4: Marjorie (Marjo) - keeps everything running somehow - Managing Director 📸 Slide 5: Emily - is writing this caption right now - Communications and Marketing Manager Five people. One mission: Support Canada’s most talented young musicians. (Yes, I got everyone’s baby photos. Yes, they’re embarrassed. No, I’m not sorry.🇨🇦) #MeetTheTeam #NYOCanada #BehindTheScenes #TeamIntro
22 years of making excellence accessible 🎵 Every 22 years of making excellence accessible 🎵 Every NYO Canada musician receives a $25,000 scholarship - completely tuition-free. Training. Tour. Room & board. Mental health support. Financial assistance. All covered. Without sustained support from foundations like the Henry White Kinnear Foundation, many talented musicians simply couldn’t afford to participate - even with full scholarships covering program costs. For 22 years, the Henry White Kinnear Foundation has believed that financial circumstances shouldn’t limit who gets to pursue excellence. Thank you for two decades of removing barriers and changing lives. Here’s to another year of making music and history together! 🇨🇦 #ThankfulThursday #NYOCanada #HenryWhiteKinnearFoundation #Scholarships #AccessToMusic
From Toronto to Paris: NYO alum (2022 & 2023) Rach From Toronto to Paris: NYO alum (2022 & 2023) Rachel Szabo is building an international flute career across multiple countries and stages. After performing Brahms' Fourth Symphony on tour as Principal Flute with NYO Canada in 2022 - where she received the Payne-Lyon Prize (2022) and Award of Excellence (2023) - Rachel pursued her master's in Copenhagen and is now studying with Julien Beaudiment in Paris. "The best thing about performing is knowing I'm part of something greater than myself. On stage, I'm not just playing notes — I'm contributing to a shared experience that can move people." She's currently back in Canada performing two operas - Rigoletto and The Barber of Seville - with the Canadian Opera Company, with 14 shows between January and March. #NYOCanada #NYOAlumni #ClassicalMusic #FluteLife #CanadianMusicians
22 years of Jackman Foundation support = 22 years 22 years of Jackman Foundation support = 22 years of launching careers 🎵 Last November, Bobby Thompson auditioned in Quebec City. "I was not thinking about the end goal or potentially winning, I focused on the specific excerpts coming up and remaining calm, trusting the work I had done for months in advance would stick." SPOILER - he won the principal bassoon position with Orchestre symphonique de Québec Canada's oldest orchestra. 🥳 🎉 Four years earlier, Bobby was a Jackman Foundation Honorarium recipient at NYO Canada. This experience and honorarium launched his journey: three summers of intensive training (NYO Canada 2021-2023), multiple degrees, and now a professional orchestral career. This is what 22 years of partnership looks like. Thank you, Jackman Foundation, for believing in young Canadian musicians like Bobby and for making excellence accessible to all. 🇨🇦 Here's to another year of making music and history together! 🎶 #ThankfulThursday #NYOCanada #JackmanFoundation #ClassicalMusic #SupportTheArts
This #thankfulthursday , we’re celebrating YOU. To This #thankfulthursday , we’re celebrating YOU. To everyone who applied to NYO Canada 2026, we see the work you put in, and we’re so grateful you chose to share your music with us. Let us know what year you think we recorded this Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 For our version of the #memecut #funny #meme #nyocanada
🚨 FINAL CALL! NYO Canada 2026 applications close F 🚨 FINAL CALL! NYO Canada 2026 applications close FEBRUARY 1ST! 🚨 This is it - your LAST chance to join Canada’s most prestigious training orchestra! ⏰ 🎼 FEBRUARY 1ST: ❌ Applications CLOSE for 2026 ❌ No extensions, no exceptions ❌ Wait until 2027? That’s a whole year away! ✅ 🌟 Audition materials due Feb 1 (still time!) 🎯 Orchestra announced March 2026 🎵 Life-changing summer at NYO Canada 💰 The investment pays off: $100 application fee today for access to $1500 honorarium PLUS $90,000 in additional prizes! 💭 Having second thoughts? “What if I don’t get in?” - What if you DO? “Is it worth $100?” - Is your musical future worth $100? 🎻 The truth: Every NYO alumnus started with one application. Every standing ovation began with someone brave enough to audition. Don’t let “what if” become “what if I had tried?” WHO’S SUBMITTING THEIR APPLICATION TODAY? Tag a musician friend who needs this reminder! 👇 👆 Bio link - upload your audition before it’s too late!
🎻 “For every opportunity I’ve received, I’ve proba 🎻 “For every opportunity I’ve received, I’ve probably applied to at least three others that didn’t work out. That’s just how life is.” 2023 Michael Measures Prize winner Tiffany Yeung on the reality of applying: most things don’t work out. But the ones that do? $25,000 + this concerto solo + a life-changing summer. “I truly never thought winning was in the cards for me, but I’m so glad that I took the leap and applied. If it hadn’t worked out, I would’ve just kept applying!” Your NYO audition + say yes to awards of excellence and Michael Measures Prizes = your shot at $90,000 in prizes. 🎵 Watch Tiffany’s full Brahms Violin Concerto—link in bio to our YouTube channel conducted by the amazing Maestro @saschagoetzel #NYOCanada #MichaelMeasuresPrize #TiffanyYeung #Brahms #ViolinConcerto
🎻 “You can’t only have the talent, you have to hav 🎻 “You can’t only have the talent, you have to have a talent for managing the talent, for finding the right soil where it can grow.” Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser knows becoming a professional musician takes talent and, luck, AND hard work. But it also takes help. That’s where NYO Canada comes in. We’re the help. The right soil. The place where your talent can develop. 💙 Applications close February 1st. Link in bio. Current fee: $100 #NYOCanada #Canadiana2026 #DanielBartholomewPoyser
🌨️❄️Snow days are great for finishing your NYO app 🌨️❄️Snow days are great for finishing your NYO application ❄️☃️ ⏰ 6 DAYS. That’s it. That’s all you have. ⏰   This is your moment.   🎵 By midnight February 1st, your audition video needs to be: ✅ Uploaded to YouTube (unlisted) ✅ Titled with your Application ID ✅ Submitted via the Upload My Audition form   Set aside 2 hours today   Upload your audition   Submit   “But what if it’s not perfect?” Perfect doesn’t exist. DONE does. And done gets you in the running for: → $1500 honorarium → $90,000 in prizes → Summer of your life at WLU → Mentorship that changes everything   🌈 We WANT your voice - IBPOC, LGBTQ2S+, musicians with disabilities - this orchestra is for YOU.   Tag someone who needs to see this 👇   👆 Submit your audition - bio link   #NYOCanada2026 #4DaysLeft #LastCall #FinalCountdown #AuditionNow
NYO Staff cheering you on as you hit submit on you NYO Staff cheering you on as you hit submit on your audition 🏁💨 You’ve got this. We believe in you. Whether you’re: ✨ Submitting your video tonight ✨ Doing one final take tomorrow ✨ Triple-checking your upload link ✨ Taking a deep breath before hitting send We’re here. We’re cheering. We can’t WAIT Remember: Your audition doesn’t have to be perfect - it has to be YOURS. The panel wants to hear your unique voice, your musicality, your potential. And you’ve got ALL of that. Final deadline: February 1st at 11:59pm You’ve worked hard. You’ve practiced. You’re ready. Now go show them what you’ve got! 🎵 Who’s submitting today? Drop a 🏁 below! Let’s celebrate together! 👇 Link in bio 👆 #NYOCanada2026 #YouGotThis #FinalPush #AuditionDay #WeBelieverInYou
💰 “I’m so glad it’s free and that it pays us—that 💰 “I’m so glad it’s free and that it pays us—that makes a huge impact on accessibility.” That’s double bassist Hanna Wilson-Smith @tinybassist19 on why her $5,000 Award of Excellence mattered: it made NYO financially possible while paying rent back home. Hear her perform D. Anderson’s Bass Quartet with fellow Award winner @cam.plays.bass Cameron Breiter (Hillis Prairie Musician Award) 🎵 and fellow double bassists Charles-Étienne Meloche @ce_meloche and Luca Carbone Smith @lucajcs “I feel so proud to be a member and represent my country :)” - Hanna 10 Awards of Excellence. $5,000 each. Making this summer accessible to more musicians. ✅ Apply to NYO Canada ✅ Check the Awards box ✅ Make it financially possible What makes a program accessible to you? 👇 🎵 Listen to the complete bass quartet 🔗 in bio to our YouTube channel. #NYOCanada #AwardOfExcellence #DoubleBass #Accessibility #YoungMusicians
🎵 “The same standard you have for how well you pla 🎵 “The same standard you have for how well you play is the same standard you should have for how well you treat the people around you.” Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser on what matters most: excellence AND kindness. Hard work AND humility. At NYO Canada, we believe in both. Our musicians are those people. Our alumni are those people. Our Music Director, faculty, and mental health supporters are all here to help you be the absolute best you can be, as a musician and as a person. 💙 Applications close February 1st. Join a community that values excellence and kindness equally. Link in bio. Current fee: $100 #NYOCanada #Canadiana2026 #DanielBartholomewPoyser
💰 $5,000 Award of Excellence - flight costs with c 💰 $5,000 Award of Excellence - flight costs with cello - tour expenses = the reason NYO was possible. That’s cellist Félix Nunes on the real financial math: “As someone who is independent financially, I wouldn’t have been able to justify doing NYO without the 5k.” Hear him perform Haydn’s String Quartet in E-flat major with fellow 2025 Award winners Solana Frebold and Angeline Wang (violins). The summer that followed? “From strangers to colleagues, we learned to listen to one another, build a collective sound, and pour our hearts out on stage.” - Angeline 10 Awards of Excellence. $5,000 each. Your audition + ONE checkbox = making this summer financially possible. What would your $5,000 cover? 👇 🎵 Watch the full Haydn quartet performance with Félix, Angeline, Solana, and Adélaïde - link in bio to our YouTube channel. #NYOCanada #AwardOfExcellence #StringQuartet #Haydn #YoungMusicians
Coming in hot to tell you it’s your LAST CHANCE to Coming in hot to tell you it’s your LAST CHANCE to apply for NYO Canada this month 🦜💨 February 1st at 11:59pm = DONE. FINISHED. OVER. No extensions. No exceptions. The deadline is REAL. Here’s what you need: 📝 Application submitted ($100 fee) 🎥 Audition video uploaded to YouTube (unlisted) ✅ Video link submitted through our portal That’s it. That’s all. Just DO IT. What’s your status right now? ✅ = Already submitted, feeling smug 🎥 = Filming this week 😱 = Full panic mode 🤷 = Wait, what deadline? Drop your emoji below and let’s get you across the finish line! 👇 Link in bio 👆 #NYOCanada2026 #LastChance #February1st #DeadlineAlert #FinalWarning
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