Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra

05/30/2026

Final rehearsal for tomorrow night’s performance.

04/30/2026

A reminder that the deadline to submit applications for VPO's Conductor Internship Program is coming up on *May 11th*. If you are interested in applying, submit your application and video links!
https://www.vanphil.ca/conducting-internship

02/22/2026

As we approach our next concert on April 11th, it's also time to start planning for 2026-2027. The two year term for our current assistant conductor Samuel Ivory will be up at the end of this season so we need to start the process of looking for the next up and coming conductor who needs to develop their skills.

The Assistant Conductor position is intended to offer a newly trained conductor an opportunity to work with a full-sized symphony orchestra for up to two years.

Candidates should have some previous conducting experience, though not necessarily with an orchestra, be available to attend rehearsals on Wednesday evenings in Vancouver, dress rehearsals for concerts on Friday evenings, and be available to attend all concerts during the season (September to June). The Assistant Conductor will conduct one short piece for each of the five regular concerts of the season. An honorarium of $2,500 per season is attached to this position. Only local applicants from the lower mainland will be considered.

Application Deadline: May 11, 2026

To apply, send a resume, letter of intent, and audition video to:
VPO Board of Directors, [email protected]
Please contact us if you have any questions about the application or audition process.

Shortlist candidates will be contacted in advance required to give a 15-20 minute audition with the orchestra on Wednesday June 3, 2026 after 7:30pm. Candidates can choose to audition either Beethoven’s Egmont Overture or Strass’ Die Fieldermaus Overture.

Send a message to learn more

02/22/2026

A special thanks to everyone involved in last night’s concerto competition. First place went to violinist Hyden Ho, second place to violinist Michiyo Yu and third place to pianist Mina Stefanovic. We also had a tie for the audience choice award between Michiyo Yu and pianist Rachel Wang.

We would also like to thank our judges, Anna Saglova, Brian Mix and Yuel Yawney for what was a very difficult task choosing from such a talented group of soloists. Also a thanks to the coaches all the coaches who worked with our soloists, including Libby Yu (Mina’s teacher) and Dominic Woo (teacher for Hyden and Michiyo). Finally, a thanks to all the volunteers last night which made all of this possible.

02/19/2026

Finally, here is our last contestant for Saturday's VPO Concerto Competition at Shaughnessy Heights United Church at 7:30.

Michi is a 14-year-old violinist who has received numerous awards and scholarships, earning first prize at the Canadian Music Competition in 2023, and most recently placing first at the Canada West Performing Arts Festival and the Stradivari Concerto Competition in 2025. Michi currently studies with Dominic Woo and Lawrie Hill.

Michi is inspired by the social aspects and teamwork of orchestral music and is a devoted chamber musician. She is proud that the duos, quartets and quintets--with whom she has rehearsed for countless hours--have been recognized with multiple awards over the years. Michi’s recent residency with her colleagues in the Peak Quintet at the Banff International String Quartet Competition Youth Chamber Music Program affirmed her passion for collaborative music-making--the group subsequently received the Gold Medal for Ensemble at the Ambrose Matilda Music Competition.

Born in Vancouver, Michi began studying the violin at the age of 4 with her first teacher, Ashley Plaut, and her first performance as a soloist was at the age of 8 with the Vancouver Academy of Music Junior Orchestra. She is currently a 9th grade student in the Byng Arts Strings Program at Lord Byng Secondary School and a member of the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra.

Michi will be performing the last movement of the Sibelius violin Concerto.

02/15/2026

We are a week from our concerto competition on February 21 at 7:30pm at Shaughnessy Heights United Church and we still have two more soloists to introduce to you.

Sixteen-year-old Vancouver-born Hyden Ho began studying the violin at age five. Violin has been a constant in his life, and he loves sharing music that connects people and brings joy.
Hyden has received recognition in competitions across British Columbia and beyond. He earned 2nd place at the 2025 Canadian Music Competition in Quebec in the 15–18 age category and represented Vancouver Kiwanis at the BC Provincial Festival in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Hyden is a dedicated member of the Vancouver Academy of Music Orchestra, where he has gained valuable orchestral experience. Through his love of chamber music, he has participated in the Banff International String Quartet Competition Youth Program (2025), Sea to Sky Chamber Music Camp, and the Vancouver Island Music Academy Summer Camp. These experiences have helped him as both a collaborator and a performer. He currently studies with Dominic Woo and Lawrie Hill, and previously studied with Ashley Plaut.

Hyden is a Grade 11 IB student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary in Vancouver. When he isn’t practicing or performing, Hyden enjoys figure skating, reading, watching concerts, and spending time with friends.

02/07/2026

Our 4th finalist for the February 21st VPO Concerto Competition at 7:30 at Shaughnessy United Church is Jiayu Li who will be performing the 1st movement of the Wieniawski Violin Concerto No.1.

Jiayu (Angela) Li is a Grade 10 student at Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School (ACRSS) in Port Coquitlam. She began playing the violin at age 8 and currently studies with Ji Eun Jenny Lim at the Vancouver Academy of Music.

In 2024, Jiayu was awarded the Chua Tiempo Memorial Scholarship at the Edith Lando Gifted Youth Competition and represented British Columbia at the Canada West Music Festival, earning an Honourable Mention in the Junior B category. The following year, she received the I.O.D.E. Scholarship at the Kay Meek Competition and represented the VAYA Music Festival at Provincials (PABC), receiving first place in the intermediate strings category. She also won the Grand Prize at the 3rd Edition of the Canada Virtuoso Young Artists Music Competition. Her ultimate goal is to become a professional violinist.

02/05/2026

⭐️Meet the Soloists - VPO Concerto Competition 25-26⭐️
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Tickets are going fast for this star-studded program of young artists! Secure your seat today: https://www.vanphil.ca/store/p/vpo-concerto-competition

02/01/2026

Our next soloist for our 2026 Concerto Competition on February 21 at 7:30pm at Shaughnessy United Church is Rachel Wang who will be performing the first movement of the 1st Mendelssohn Piano Concerto.

Rachel Wang is a 12 year old pianist who approaches music with passion and a strong sense of commitment. She began studying piano at the age of three and is currently under the guidance of Ian Parker. Rachel has earned numerous awards in local, national, and international piano competitions and performances.

Some of her notable achievements include first place in the Franz Liszt International Youth Piano Competition and the Canadian Music Competition, and the Overall Grand Prize in the Vancouver International Music Competition, where she was honoured to perform at the Gala Concert at the Vancouver Playhouse. Rachel was also the youngest finalist in the 28th World Music International Competition, and she won third place at the International Piano Competition Taunus Germany.

Dedicated to using her music to give back to the community, Rachel has performed as a guest pianist at a Vancouver Fraser Lions Club and at the 6th Annual “Beat Goes On” Charity Gala, supporting the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta.

Beyond music, Rachel enjoys reading and playing badminton, embracing a well-rounded approach to life. She is deeply grateful for the opportunities she has received and aspires to continue sharing her love for music with others.

01/23/2026

This week in preparation for our February 21st Concerto Competition, we introduce to you our second finalist, Mina Stefanovic who will be performing the opening movement of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2.

Mina Stefanovic, a 16-year-old pianist from Tsawwassen, BC, began her musical journey at the age of four with Rebecca Chan. She later studied with Suzanne Klukas at the Delta Community Music School and has been under the guidance of Dr. Libby Yu since 2023.

Mina has received recognition from numerous local festivals and competitions, including first place in the Pacific International Music Festival Senior Category in 2023, and first in the 2024 Canadian Music Festival. In 2025, Mina was selected as the Senior Piano Provincial Delegate. Mina also placed first in the 15-year-old category of the 2025 Canadian Music Competition National Audition and represented BC at the national final, placing third for the age 15-18 piano category. Mina completed her RCM ARCT certificate with first class honours in June 2025.
Mina made her orchestral debut at age 15 with the Richmond Orchestra under Maestro James Malmberg. In August 2025, Mina performed as a soloist with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra under Maestro Kenneth Hsieh, as the only Canadian winner of the Vancouver Piano Sessions International Competition. Beyond the piano, Mina actively participates in math competitions and competes in track and field.

01/17/2026

Feb 21st at 7:30pm at Shaughnessy United Church the Vancouver Philharmonic will be presenting our Youth Concerto Competition which will feature six outstanding young musicians. Over the next six weeks we’ll put out a feature on each, starting with Jimmy Wang who will perform the opening movement of the Dvorak Cello Concerto.

Jimmy Wang began formal cello studies at an early age and demonstrated exceptional promise from the outset. At the ages of ten and eleven, he won first prize twice at the Yangtze River Delta Cello Competition in China. He subsequently served as principal cellist of the Hangzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra, performing on multiple concert tours across major cities in China and developing substantial orchestral and stage experience.

After relocating to Vancouver, Jimmy continued his advanced training with Joseph Elworthy — distinguished cellist and President of the Vancouver Academy of Music. He was awarded the Vancouver Academy of Music Silver Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding musical achievement, artistic growth, and high potential as a young cellist.