Meet the six semifinalists for the 2024-2025 Golden Violin Award!
These exceptional musicians share their journeys, reflecting on how their roots have shaped their artistry, the transformative impact of studying at the Schulich School of Music, and the meaningful ways they’ve engaged with our vibrant community. Here’s a glimpse into their stories, offering insight into their backgrounds, growth, and connections that have defined their time at Schulich.
Listed in performance order for the semifinal on December 11, 2024.
Joey Machin, violin
How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
I’m thankful to be studying at a chamber music-loving school with knowledgeable and supportive teachers and mentors. With all the opportunities to listen and to play, I’m immersed in an environment that continuously deepens my understanding and love for the art. The competitions at Schulich have been invaluable for integrating many lessons’ worth of ideas into a single performance and refining my communicative ability in music.
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Where do you call home, and how has your background influenced your musical journey?
I come from Toronto, a cute little town. Growing up in a family and community that actively encouraged the arts, I was fortunate to explore a wide range of interests. I think this freedom fostered my flexibility and open-mindedness, qualities that continue to influence me as a musician.
How have you engaged with the Schulich School of Music community throughout your studies?
I have premiered and recorded several works by young composers from the Schulich school of music. I’ve actively engaged with the community by performing in quartet and solo recitals, as well as school competitions. I’ve also enjoyed the unique opportunity to participate in the intellectual discourse found on the practice room walls. A school full of thinkers.
Satoka Abo, violin
How have you engaged with the Schulich School of Music community throughout your studies?
It has been exciting to engage with the Schulich School of Music community through rehearsals and concerts. I’m continuously inspired when I walk through the halls of the fourth floor practice rooms, and it’s been an incredibly helpful experience for me to be able to easily ask my peers to listen to me play a piece and give me comments.
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Where do you call home, and how has your background influenced your musical journey?
I come from a small town in Idaho, but have lived in many different cities throughout my education. Each place that I’ve lived in - Moscow (ID), Cleveland, New Haven, and now, Montreal - has introduced me to new aspects of music and allowed me to combine all my different experiences. I’ve been so fortunate to travel and live in various places, but I’m excited to call Montreal home for the foreseeable future.
How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
I came to Schulich to study with my wonderful teacher, Jinjoo Cho, and I feel that my understanding of music has been fundamentally changed by working with her. The other faculty here have also shaped the way I approach performance now - they’ve allowed me to explore and take risks in how I play. I find that the professors here inspire me in different fields - it has been easy finding encouragement and creativity in orchestra, chamber music, and solo performances. I’ve also been very inspired by my peers that surround me at school.
Alexander Beggs, viola
Where do you call home, and how has your background influenced your musical journey?
I’m originally from Calgary, Alberta. I’m lucky to have been surrounded by a very supportive, friendly, and talented music community, where I learned early on the joy of creating great music with others. I especially loved the viola ensemble that my teacher formed with all the members of her studio. I think this spirit of collaboration is at the core of my identity as an artist and it is what I love most about pursuing music.
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How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
The fellow students that I have met at Schulich are incredibly inspiring. To play for each other in the practice rooms and hear them perform in recitals and ensemble concerts teaches me so much about how to approach my own instrument. I’m very grateful to have found like-minded musicians at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and we can help each other make the music we want to make. I also joined a string quartet at the school which has taught me so much and given me numerous opportunities to travel and perform. It has been one of the most formative experiences of recent years. Playing in the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ chamber music competition pushed myself and our group to refine our skills to a new level, allowing us to pursue a number of programs and competitions outside of ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and work with members of some truly amazing professional quartets. André Roy, who has been my viola teacher and quartet coach, has given me so much guidance through chamber music coachings and lessons. With him, I’ve developed my technique so that I can both bring my music to life and find success in the music world.
How have you engaged with the Schulich School of Music community throughout your studies?
It’s wonderful to have amazing musicians all around you in the practice rooms where we can all support each other in various ways. Playing in the quartet has allowed me to engage with the school in masterclasses and competitions as well as represent Schulich in concerts and festivals in Montreal and beyond. The professors here give us so much of their time and energy, whether it’s in coachings and lessons, or in the seminars and large ensemble rehearsals. Since I’ve been studying here, I’ve found that the people at this school are just as eager to work with me as I am to work with them.
Justin Saulnier, violin
How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
My teacher believed in me right from the start and my experience competing in both the Classical and the Romantic Concerto Competition gave me the confidence to seek other opportunities on my own.
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How have you engaged with the Schulich School of Music community throughout your studies?
I’ve participated in many premieres of works by ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ student composers. I’ve also engaged with the conducting community, playing in the Beethoven Orchestra and volunteering for student conductor concerts.
Where do you call home, and how has your background influenced your musical journey?
I grew up in Ottawa. My brother and sister having played in the Ottawa Youth Orcgestra, I developed my love of orchestral music very young and couldn’t wait to be up there myself. I also grew up competing in the Ottawa Kiwanis Festival, which prepared me for the bigger stage.
JuEun Lee, violin
How have you engaged with the Schulich School of Music community throughout your studies?
Throughout my time at the Schulich School of Music, I’ve engaged with the community by collaborating with Schulich friends in chamber music, ensembles, and various projects. These experiences have allowed me to build meaningful connections and deepen my musical growth.
I’ve also participated in school events, masterclasses, and outreach programs, which have helped me connect with both faculty and friends.
Being part of the Schulich community has been an essential part of my development as a musician and as an individual.
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Where do you call home, and how has your background influenced your musical journey?
I used to call Seoul home, a vibrant metropolitan city rich in music and art. I have vivid memories of attending concerts and operas with my aunt, and I’ll never forget the first time I saw The Magic Flute by Mozart when I was about 8 years old. Those cultural experiences played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Now, I consider Montreal my second home. It offers similar experiences, with its incredible concerts, museums, and a thriving artistic community. I’m constantly inspired by the talented musicians around me, and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such a dynamic creative atmosphere.
How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
Studying at the Schulich School of Music has truly given me a place where I can be myself and express who I am without feeling judged. The teachers here are incredible—they understand both music and art on a deep level, and having them around has really strengthened my belief in what I do as a musician and an artist.
Especially studying with my teacher, Jinjoo Cho, has been a life-ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ experience. She hasn’t just helped me improve my violin playing; she’s completely transformed the way I approach practice and performance. She’s taught me to find joy and beauty in the learning process, especially when facing my weaknesses and overcoming them. Her belief in me as an artist has given me the courage to challenge myself, even when I fail.
Over the years, the opportunities I’ve had at Schulich have been incredible. My experiences in chamber music, as well as concerto competitions and Golden Violin Competition, have been truly special, and I’m forever grateful for them.
I’ve learned so much about how essential art is in the world and the impact music can have on society. Honestly, my love for music has only grown stronger since being here, and I’m deeply thankful to the school for giving me the space to become who I am today.
François Lamontagne, cello
How has studying at the Schulich School of Music shaped your musical growth, and what opportunities have had the most significant impact on your development as a musician?
I think the most significant impact from the school on me was to meet my dear collegues and friends. Their support and energy helped me push myself further than I ever thought I could go in my musical development. The same should be said about all my teachers who helped and pushed me in the last 5 years to be a better version of myself.
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Concerning opportunities, I've met some of my musical heros in masterclasses, played music in places I never thought I would go in my life and overall, really opened my mind to the musical world around us!
How have you engaged with the Schulich School of Music community throughout your studies?
I mostly engaged with the Schulich community throught small and large ensemble. I tried to play in a variety of ensembles, such as string quartets, piano trio, MGSO, baroque orchestra or CME to meet people and discover different visions of making music. Another fun part of the community was attending or playing in eachothers recitals, or simply hanging out late at night in the practice rooms, playing excerpts to each other.
Where do you call home, and how has your background influenced your musical journey?
Chicoutimi is my home and is where I started to learn music with my parents, before entering the Conservatoire.