Young Musicians’ Extraordinaire showcases talented, up-and-coming musicians and artists. They have the chance to perform for an enthusiastic audience in a beautiful venue, gaining valuable experience that can open doors to future opportunities while giving audiences a first look at tomorrow’s rising stars.
“I felt an incredible energy from the audience as well as the people I was performing with …. I am always striving to find this focus and energy so that I’m able to give a gift to the audience through my music.
Luka Coetzee, 2018 Young Musician Extraordinaire
in an interview with neapolitanconnection.com on the experience of performing in High River
Three, two, one … blastoff!
It is inspiring to witness the accomplishments of former Young Musicians Extraordinaire. We are proud of our track record and pleased to play even a small role in helping to launch such exceptional talent.
The alumni of our Young Musicians Extraordinaire program never fail to amaze. Checking in with them years later, we discover that they are training with famous musicians and outstanding institutes, performing with world-class orchestras, scooping top prizes at international music competitions, and travelling to share their gifts with the world.
Alumni | Young Musicians Extraordinaire
Soprano Ainsley Soutière is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Thornton School of Music (USC), who interned with Seattle Opera and toured with the Portland Orchestra.
Angela Ryu performed for us twice, first in 2016 and again in the spring of 2019. That same year, Angela won the Shean Strings Competition in Edmonton, took first prize at the Canadian Music Competition, and received the grand award at the National Music Festival.
Anna Stube was born in Latvia and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, where she studies violin with William van der Sloot. Anna has won numerous awards from Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music, Calgary Performing Arts Festival, and Canadian Music Competition, including winning the 2018 Grand Prize in the 11 to 14 year category.
Charlotte Giraudeau is a pianist known for her lyrical playing, refined touch, and keen musical insight. She has performed in solo and collaborative settings, bringing clarity and expressive nuance to a diverse repertoire. Praised for her thoughtful interpretations and elegant musicianship, Giraudeau offers performances that balance technical poise with emotional depth.
As a solo artist, Colleen was featured twice at the Canada’s Rising Stars concert, performed with many orchestras such as Vancouver Symphony, Okanagan Symphony, Kamloops Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic and Calgary Civic Orchestra, and had the honour of performing Chopin piano works on CBC Radio.
Cynthia Gan is a two-time Royal Conservatory of Music gold medal winner in voice, as well as an accomplished pianist and creative writer. She earned her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music Diploma in piano performance at age 14, following it with an ARCT Diploma in voice performance.
By the time she appeared with us in 2014, Isabella had already been described as “a violinist who plays with the assurance of professional musicians, with momentum and accuracy" by La Presse. She was proclaimed as the Emerging Artist for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's 2017-18 season, and in 2019, earned a Grand Prize at the Stepping Stone of Canadian Music Competition in Calgary.
Born into a family of musicians, Jacques Forestier has delighted audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia with his passion for music and love of performing.
Virtuoso Kevin Chen first performed for us at age seven in 2012, returning by popular demand in 2014 and 2018. In 2013, he was named to CBC's Top 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30 list. Inspired by the strength and resilience of the Town of High River following the 2013 flood, Kevin composed an original work, River Rhapsody, about the river for us. In 2021, Kevin became the youngest-ever winner of the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition.
Luka began playing cello as a toddler on a full-size viola with an endpin inserted in it. As a winner of the Calgary Concert Competition, she performed as a soloist with the Calgary Civic Symphony at an April concert. She has also taken first prize in the Canadian Music Competition National Finals, and was awarded a scholarship from the Canimex Group for outstanding performance in her age group for the strings category.
Canadian cellist Mari Coetzee, who appeared with us in 2016, is an exciting, versatile performer who took first place in the Shean Strings Competition and was a grand prize winner in the Canadian Music Competition. Mari undertook her Masters of Music in Juilliard’s five-year accelerated program, and was named to CBC Music’s list of 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30 in 2015.
Sofia Fakely is a cellist recognized for her rich tone, expressive range, and compelling stage presence. She has performed in a variety of chamber and orchestral settings, earning praise for her musical sensitivity and nuanced interpretations. With a repertoire spanning classical masterworks and contemporary works, Fakely brings warmth, depth, and clarity to every performance.
Canadian cellist, soloist and chamber musician Tate Zawadiuk performed with us in 2013 as a Young Musician Extraordinaire. For five consecutive seasons, Tate was the principal cellist of the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a student at the Colburn Conservatory of Music. In 2019, Tate and his chamber group the Viano String Quartet took first prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC), and Tate was listed on CBC Music's 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30.
Thank you for embracing these talented young musicians! It’s the passion and generosity of our community and sponsors that bring this event to life, creating experiences that inspire both performers and audiences alike. Your support truly makes a world of difference.
