Timothy Chooi - violin

Internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi has mesmerized global audiences with his virtuosity and emotional depth. He's celebrated for his extensive repertoire, connecting with millions worldwide. Chooi's accolades include First Prize at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition and the "Yves Paternot Prize" at the Verbier Festival. He's graced renowned orchestras and prestigious venues, earning glowing reviews.

In the upcoming year, Chooi embarks on a thrilling tour, collaborating with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and returning to the Toronto Symphony. He also debuts with the European Union Youth Orchestra, Brucknerhaus Orchester, and at the Wimbledon Music Festival in London.

Currently, he's a Professor of Violin at the University of Ottawa, playing two exceptional violins: the Titan Guarneri Del Gesu violin from 1741, on loan from CANIMEX INC. in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, and the Engleman Stradivarius violin from 1709, on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation in Japan.

Noémi Raymond - cello

Destined to "leave her mark on posterity through her immense sensitivity and immeasurable talent" (Journal des Citoyens), cellist Noémie Raymond-Friset enjoys a diversified international career that has led her to perform as a chamber musician and soloist with renowned orchestras. From London's Royal Albert Hall to the Festival Internacional de Musica de Camara in Lima, her passionate and refined playing has taken her to four continents, including performances with violinists Midori and Pinchas Zukerman. The Season 2024-2025 will see her debut at Zankel Hall (Carnegie Hall) in New York and the Berlin Philharmonie as part of an international tour of cello/piano recitals.

Recognized as one of the 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30 by CBC, Noémie is also an accomplished and experienced educator. She is a cello and chamber music mentor at the Heifetz International Music Institute

and at the Festival del Lago in Mexico.

Noémie plays the beautiful Matteo Goffriller "Ex-Curtis" cello (1700), generously on loan to her by Canimex Inc., Drummondville, Quebec.

Illya Overchenko - piano

Illia Ovcharenko is a celebrated virtuoso playing concerts all over the world. Most recently he won the Honens International PIano Competition in Calgary which recognizes an artist who demonstrates technical mastery, perseverance against adversity and an understanding of musical text that is intellectual and emotional. He’s also won top prizes at the New York, Hilton Head, Busoni and Horowitz Piano competitions and has performed with La Monnaie Symphony in Brussels, the Jerusalem Symphony and l’Orchestre National Ile de France. This season he’ll debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, offer a solo recital at Koerner Hall in Toronto and appear in Hamburg, Dusseldorf and Montreal.

He thrives on live performance, feeling as if two souls - his and the composer’s - are united together on stage. He’s most at home playing romantic repertoire.

“I’m so happy when people hear me play and say I brought something new to their life or let them forget about their current troubles,” he says. “Playing the piano is usually a much better way of communicating since there is something intimate involved in this process.”