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We are thrilled to announce the appointments of Kathryn Knowles, accomplished composer, cellist and active conductor of Music4life String Orchestra, AND Donovan Seidle, Assistant Concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, to our board of directors. Kathryn Knowles is a composer, cellist, and writer based in Toronto, Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of International Business from Queen’s University, as well as a Master in Music Composition from the University of Toronto where she was awarded the Joseph Armand Bombardier Canadian Graduate Scholarship. Her works have been played in workshops by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the New Orford String Quartet, and the Penderecki String Quartet, and she received honourable mention in the Writer’s Digest 89th Annual Writing Competition for her poem, Beyond the Black Horizon’s Crease, and her short story, Lester’s Bird Feeder. Her piece Biarc was commissioned by Accordion and Clarinet Duo, Joseph Petric and Martin Carpentier, and will be premiered in December 2020. In addition to her work as a composer and writer, Kathryn is the General Manager of the Canadian League of Composers, and a Centre Director with Sistema Toronto. Kathryn is a strong advocate for the accessibility of music and art in today’s society and she values the constant pursuit and celebration of knowledge. (www.kathryn-knowles.com) Donovan Seidle is an accomplished composer, arranger, orchestrator, violinist, teacher and coach. He holds a BMus in Performance and Composition from the University of Calgary and a MMus in Performance from Northwestern University. Since 2003, he has served as one of the three concertmasters of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, which has included soloing and new works commissions. Donovan is an active participant in the municipal artistic community, participating regularly in chamber ensembles and multi-disciplinary projects outside of the orchestra, including having been the Artistic Director of Calgary's own Kensington Sinfonia for 13 years. He travels to contribute with the I Musici Chamber Orchestra of Montreal, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Past projects have included the inaugural YouTube Symphony Orchestra project at Carnegie Hall, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, amongst numerous recording sessions, summer festivals and guest-solo spots locally and internationally. (www.donovanseidle.com)

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thank you so much to our friends, family members and community supporters for making our Virtual Summer Gala a huge success. Please enjoy our gala found here. thank you to our sponsors!

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Join us for our online virtual rehearsals and recordings.

Our organization employs highly-skilled string music teachers and music professionals as part of our practicing and performing orchestra. Our music teachers have studied, taught and performed all across Canada and on the international stage. Each professional brings years of performance and teaching experience to the table and are experts in mentoring/coaching individuals of all ages and all skill levels. ​ If you're looking for private music lessons in violin, viola, cello, double bass or piano, our professional teachers are available in the Durham Region and the GTA. Music lesson rates vary. Reach out to any one of our professional and skilled M4L-affiliated music teachers for private music lessons.

Music4Life String Orchestra presents Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, a benefit concert in collaboration with Boys & Girls Club of Durham, featuring the Juno and multi-CFMA award winning Canadian Fiddle Foursome "The Fretless"! Doors open at 2:00 show starts at 2:30pm. Reception and Silent Auction to follow the performance

We are thrilled to welcome Olivia Wan-Ting Yang as our Violin 1 Principal/Section Lead! Ms. Olivia Wan-Ting Yang graduated from Tung Hai University Music Faculty in Taiwan with an honorary bachelor's degree in Violin. She received her master’s degree from Taipei University of the Arts in Taiwan. In 2009, she won the Emerging Young Artists Concerto Competition and performed Dvorak Violin Concerto in A minor with Taipei University of the Arts Orchestra as a soloist. In 2011, she was invited to Hawaii to perform various compositions by a Taiwanese composer, Kuo Zhi Yuan's composition. In 2016, she was invited by HoHaiYan Arts located in Germany and performed at Vienna Haus Hofmannsthal, Munich Gasteig Kleiner Konzertsaal, Leipzig Alte Borse, Hamberg Laeiszhalle Studio E, and Konzerthaus Berlin. Locally, in 2018-2019, Olivia was concertmaster for University of Toronto’s Hart House Orchestra and is currently an active member of Orchestra Toronto. Olivia has been teaching music for the past 10 years. She is a passionate violin teacher who deeply believes music can enrich a student’s life by building up discipline and widening their vision. Under the direction of Kathryn Knowles, music director and conductor of Music4Life String Orchestra, and concert master, Patrick Wang, Olivia will lead the violin 1 section of our performing orchestra.

Come join the fastest growing String Orchestra in the Durham Region. Rehearsals resume January 11th, 2020.

An Amazing time had by all at our Joy to the Jazz event. thanks to our Special guests the Clazz String Quartet!

Music4Life String Orchestra is a not-for-profit, community string orchestra in Ajax, Ontario. Each spring the orchestra partners with a charitable organization in the Durham Region on a joint-benefit concert and splits proceeds from the concert with the partner charity. Music4Life is looking to partner with a local, charitable group for its Spring 2020 concert. We invite local charities to submit proposal for partnership for our upcoming concert. Our concert date and venue will be determined based on our partner selection, however, concert dates will fall within late April/early May time frame. Music4Life looks to partner with organizations that; Support science, education, disease research, mental health, arts and/or areas of diversity; Are well-established and active in the Durham Region; Have no political or faith-based affiliation; Are willing to partner on event sales, marketing, coordination and execution Partners can submit their proposals to Music4Life String Orchestra in accordance with the Submission Instructions detailed below. We look forward to a musical partnership with you! Submission Instructions The deadline for submission is Friday October 25th. Organizations should advise Music4Life via email of their intent to submit a proposal by Friday October 18th. Submissions must include the following sections: Organization details including: Organization name and business address Charitable registration number Name, email address, phone, and title of key contact at the organization for the proposal Year Established # of staff in the organization (volunteer, part-time, full-time) Website address Signature – name, title and signature of authorized individual that has signing authority for the organization Organization’s core business and objectives – help us understand your charity and its primary objectives. Partnership Proposal – help us understand how your organization can partner with us for our spring concert and how your organization can optimize the proceeds raised through the concert event. Concert Benefit – help us understand how the proceeds directed to your charity will be applied and how it will help you reach your goals. Proposals must not exceed one side of a single 8.5 x 11 page Organizations must not have a political or religious affiliation. Proposals must be submitted via email to info@music4lifeensemble.ca by Friday October 25th at 5pm EST. About Music4Life String Orchestra We are a non-profit, amateur community string ensemble in Ajax, Ontario. As a learning ensemble, our objective is to provide a friendly and welcoming forum for string musicians, of all ages and skill levels, to learn, play and perform together. Our ensemble provides a unique experience for amateur players such that they are able to play and perform along-side skilled music teachers and professionals who are also part of the practicing and performing group. This arrangement provides an excellent learning environment for new players and is a true complement to traditional private lessons. Through this fun and encouraging ensemble, members gain performance experience by sharing our musical creations with our families, friends and our community at large. Our more advanced players are featured in quartet/quintet performances for community organizations and private events which help fund our operations.