NYO Canada Celebrates Two Historic Winners of the 2026 Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures Prizes 

Sabina Sandvoss becomes the first female cellist to win First Prize; Davin Mar becomes the first violist to win the Michael Measures Prize 

TORONTO, ONTARIO – March 30, 2026 – The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO Canada) is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious 2026 Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures Prizes. Awarded to only two recipients each year, these prizes recognize and support the finest young classical musicians in Canada aged 16 to 24, celebrating their extraordinary artistry and dedication. 

2026 Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures Prize Winners: 

  1. First Prize ($25,000): Sabina Sandvoss, Cello (Alberta) 
  1. Second Prize ($15,000): Davin Mar, Viola (British Columbia) 
Sabina Sandvoss Headshot - Photo Credit Stuart Lowe

Sabina Sandvoss is a Canadian cellist known for her passionate and expressive performances. In 2025, she won First Prize at the Zara Nelsova Competition at the International Cello Festival of Canada and received Second Prize in last year’s Michael Measures Prize, before claiming the top honour in 2026 — making her the first female cellist to win First Prize in the competition’s history. A winner of the Corcoran Concerto Competition at the Glenn Gould School, she will perform Bloch’s Schelomo with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra at Koerner Hall during the 2025–26 season under conductor Earl Lee. Sabina studies with Hans Jørgen Jensen and Andrés Díaz and performs on a cello handcrafted by her father, luthier Christopher Tilman Sandvoss. 

Davin Mar began playing the viola at the age of four in Vancouver, Canada, and makes history as the first violist to receive the Michael Measures Prize. He is currently an undergraduate student at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studies with Hsin-Yun Huang and Ed Gazouleas. An active chamber musician, Davin has served as principal violist of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. 

As the Michael Measures Prize winners, Sabina and Davin will receive significant financial awards and performance opportunities. Sabina will be awarded $25,000 as the First Prize winner and the opportunity to perform a concerto during NYO Canada’s 2026 Canadiana Tour. Davin, the Second Prize winner, will receive $15,000 and additional performance and recital opportunities throughout the season. 

A special concert will be held at Koerner Hall in Toronto on July 18th to celebrate Sabina and Davin’s achievements. The evening will feature the award presentation and a performance of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, featuring Sabina as soloist with the NYO Canada orchestra. 

Don’t miss your chance to hear Sabina Sandvoss and Davin Mar alongside 88 of Canada’s exceptional young musicians! 

2026 Canadiana Tour Highlights: 

  1. Toronto — July 18 | Koerner Hall * 
  1. Stratford — July 19 | The Avondale (Stratford Summer Music Festival) 
  1. Parry Sound — July 22 | Stockey Centre (Festival of the Sound) * 
  1. Kingston — July 23 | Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts * 
  1. Ottawa — July 26 | Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (Ottawa Chamberfest) 
  1. Saint-Irénée — July 31 | Domaine Forget (Domaine Forget International Festival) 

(*Concerts featuring Sabina Sandvoss’s solo concerto performance.) 

Tour details and ticket information here: nyoc.org/concerts/canadiana-tour/  

About NYO Canada 

The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO Canada) is the country’s premier training and orchestral program for musicians aged 16 to 28. Participants receive mentorship, intensive coaching, and the opportunity to perform at prestigious venues across Canada under the guidance of leading musicians. 

About the Canada Council for the Arts 

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, investing in fostering creativity, promoting the arts, and strengthening Canada’s vibrant cultural landscape. 

About the Michael Measures Prizes 

Awarded since 2011 in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts, the Michael Measures Prizes recognize two NYO Canada musicians each year for outstanding achievement on orchestral instruments. The First Prize winner receives up to $25,000 and performs a concerto on tour; the Second Prize winner receives up to $15,000 and additional performance opportunities throughout the season. 

Media Contact: 

Emily Dunbar, Communications and Marketing, NYO Canada 

edunbar@nyoc.org | 416-532-4470 ext. 225 | 1-888-532-4470 ext. 225