Beckettfest 2026

Arianne Ewing-Chow has a passion for teaching students how to make music an integral part of their lives. She believes in finding joy in music making through freedom of expression through sound. Arianne runs a full studio in North York, is a member of the College of Examiners with the Royal Conservatory of Music, is a festival convener for the ORMTA North York-York Region branch, and is also an active adjudicator. She holds a Bachelor of Music from University of Toronto, and received an Artist Teacher of Pedagogy and Performance from the Glenn Gould School. She holds both Performers ARCT as well as Teacher’s ARCT diplomas.. She has received numerous awards and scholarships and is also the proud recipient of the Steinway Gallery Teacher of the Year Award in 2018. Arianne performed in international masterclasses in Bad Bertrich, Germany with John Perry, and at the Almalfi Coast, Italy with Luiz de Moura Castro and Brian Ganz.The ten-piano monster concert with Toyich International Projects in Rome was an incredible collaboration. She has organized fundraising concerts through Music With a Cause to raise funds for various charities including The Canadian Cancer Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Equally comfortable in concert and opera, Bethany Hörst has sung with orchestras and major choirs across Canada. She has won several international competitions including the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Competition at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She was twice honoured as a District Winner and Regional Finalist at the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions. She has received the Encouragement Award at the Met Regional Finals and also the Palm Beach International Opera Competition. Hörst is a recipient of Brian Law Opera Scholarship and the Jacqueline Desmarais Opera Grant.

Hörst holds a Master of Music degree in Literature and Performance from Western University, where she currently teaches voice. She is in high demand for masterclasses and adjudicating throughout Canada. Hörst Studio students frequently appear with Mirvish Productions, Drayton Entertainment, and the Shaw and Stratford Festival Theatres.

Pianist Christine Vanderkooy performs as soloist across Canada, the USA and Europe. Performance highlights include a European recital tour, a Leschetizky Association invitation to perform in NYC, a debut of commissioned works by David L. McIntyre at CFMTA’s national convention, a recital for the Canadian University Music Society national conference, and appearances with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra including Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos, Coleridge-Taylor’s Nonet, op. 2, and Bach’s Concerto No. 5 in F minor. Christine’s national reputation as a pedagogue is reflected in invitations to adjudicate festivals and give masterclasses. Christine earned a Doctor of Music degree from McGill University and has held positions at the University of PEI, Lakehead University, University of Regina, and is currently Associate Professor at the University of Windsor. Christine’s newest album, recorded at the Glenn Gould Studio, comprises two late works by Franz Schubert—Sonata in C-minor, D. 958, and Drei Klavierstucke, D. 946.

Bio coming soon.

Bio coming soon.

Larry Larson held the position of Principal Trumpet of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony for 30 years (1993-2023), and continues to enjoy a very active playing career post-“retirement” from that position. During that time, he was also the Trumpet and Brass Coach for NYOCanada for 18 years Larry enjoys a varied career which includes leading his own jazz quintet “Larry’s Jazz Guys,” performing and recording with harpist Lori Gemmell (“Divertissement” CD), as well as other chamber music opportunities. With the KWS, Larry gave the world premieres of trumpet concertos by John Estacio and Scott Good, as well as many other solo performances, including concertos by Malcolm Forsyth, Johnny Cowell, and Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No 2.” Under the “MEN WITH HORNS” banner, Larry produced and presented 10 acclaimed Pops programs for the KWS with trombonist/arranger David Martin. He is a member of Andrew Burashko’s “Art Of Time Ensemble,” with whom he has toured across North America, as well as being featured on two of their CD releases. Larry has also recorded two CDs with the Canadian Brass, and has performed in supporting orchestras for Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Brian Wilson, Jann Arden, and Anne Murray, among others. He is honoured to be a founding member of the Canadian National Brass Project, featuring principal brass players from across the country, a collaboration which also released two CD projects. Larry proudly serves on the Board of the Grand River Jazz Society, which operates The Jazz Room in Waterloo, Ontario.

Bio coming soon.