Individual Biographies
Michael studied violin and chamber music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and worked with members of the leading quartets: Griller, Tatrai, Kolisch, Hungarian and Amadeus. Returning to Canada after a concert career of several years in Europe, he has continued solo, chamber and orchestral activities, including serving as concertmaster for the York Symphony and artistic director for the Apollo Chamber Orchestra. Currently, he teaches privately and at the Huronia Arts Academy in Barrie.
Alyssa is a versatile soloist and ensemble cellist who has toured widely, advocating and performing contemporary, jazz and folk, as well as traditional music. Formerly acting principal cellist of the Kingston Symphony and principal cellist of Ensemble Unterwegs, she left the orchestral world, preferring to concentrate on the intricacies of chamber music. She has performed several world premieres, and has been featured on many recordings and stages. Alyssa is a popular studio and session cellist and singer, teaching privately in Orillia. She is artistic director of the Orillia Folk Society, and a founding faculty member of the Mariposa Arts Forum.
Olga Lishansky (piano - guest for remainder of 2010)
Olga was born in Russia, and started her musical education at age six, in Siberia. At the age of 24 she graduated from Kiev's Conservatory of Music (Ukraine) with a Master's degree in classical piano performance. Olga immigrated to Israel and then to Canada where she worked as a piano teacher for many years. Olga returned to the performance world in 2007 with the successful "Concerto in the Key of Soul", and inspiring other to live from the heart has since become her life mission. She is realizing it through concerts and presentations, hosting a classical music radio show "Symphony on the Beach", workshops, music lessons, life coaching, recording CDs and developing on-line programs.
Sandra is a graduate of the Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario. She teaches, composes and performs in the Barrie area as both a pianist and singer. In addition to solo work, she has appeared with the Apollo Chamber Ensemble, Opera Barrie, the Kempenfelt Community Players, the New Tecumseth Singers and the Lyrica Choir. After a number of years as a teacher with the Simcoe County District School Board and as director of music at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, Sandra is now developing her own music studio, StudioVivo, and dedicating her time to teaching privately, composing and performing.