Three Schulich alumni to join the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Beginning this season, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) welcomes three Schulich School of Music alumni into their esteemed ensemble: Victor Fournelle-Blain (ADip 鈥�15) as Principal Violist, R茅mi Pelletier (LMus 鈥�04) as Associate Principal Violist, and Yolanda Bruno (BMus 鈥�11) as Section Violinist! On their new appointments, Interim Artistic Director Sir Andrew Davis writes, 鈥淲e are delighted that these wonderful musicians have chosen the TSO to be their home for the coming season. They will further enhance the high quality of our glorious orchestra and I look forward to working with them."
Catch Victor, R茅mi, and Yolanda on stage as of September 19 and 21 when the TSO kicks off their 2019-20 season with .
A trained violinist and violist, Victor Fournelle-Blain is equally at home with orchestral, chamber, and solo repertoire. He has performed with l鈥橭rchestre symphonique de Montr茅al since 2014, is the founding member of the Grand Duc Trio, and regularly collaborates with renowned artists such as Charles Richard-Hamelin, Andrew Wan, and Brian Manker. Past awards include second prize of the 2010 OSM Standard Life Competition and grand prize of the 2012 Prix d鈥橢urope and the 2014 Golden Violin Award.
Born in Quebec, R茅mi Pelletier鈥檚 orchestral experience spans from the New York Philharmonic to l鈥橭rchestre symphonique de Montr茅al. Previous roles include Guest Principal Viola of the International Orchestra of Italy, Principal Viola of Japan鈥檚 Pacific Musica Festival, and Assistant Principal Viola of the New York String Orchestra Seminar. In addition to his vast orchestral career, R茅mi has been awarded the 2013 CBC/麻豆AV Music Award and has won first prize at the Concours du Qu茅bec and Canada鈥檚 National Music Festival Competition.
An accomplished competitor, Yolanda Bruno is the winner of the 2017 Isabel Overton Bader Violin Competition and the 2013 OSM Standard Life Competition. In addition to being named one of CBC鈥檚 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30, she is also the three-time recipient of the Sylva Gelber Career Development Award and the recipient of Canada Council鈥檚 Virginia Parker Award. She has performed across North America and Europe and in 2018, was appointed concertmaster of the Kingston Symphony Orchestra.
About the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1922 by a group of Toronto musicians, the TSO has since grown to become one of Canada鈥檚 most respected arts organizations. The orchestra is committed to serving local and national communities through vibrant performances and expansive educational activities that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds. Their notable recording and broadcast history, complemented with their international touring engagements, allows them to be a unique musical ambassador for Canada around the world. .
