Summer Music Exchange for Young Artists

The International Student Exchange Program is one of the most popular educational programs run by the Crescendo International Music Competition. Musicians in the exchange program perform in recitals with students from the most prestigious music schools and universities around the world. The performers are also given the opportunity to network with other musicians and attend master classes and lectures to develop their artistic insight and further their education.

The immersive summer experience brought together 37 exemplary students from Crescendo USA, The Steinway Society of BC and recent winners of The Markham Music Festival. Local performers included JJ Bui, Lindsay Bui, Antian Jiang, Rui Gao, Daniel Santos, Charissa Vandikas and Gregory Vandikas. These Toronto students had the opportunity to perform alongside their international peers from Vancouver, New York and New Jersey which brought home the importance of connecting with young people from around the world using the universal language of music.

On their first evening, the students performed some exceptional repertoire in the George Ignatieff Theatre at the University of Toronto. The following day they attended an open format masterclass with the esteemed Professor James Parker from The University of Toronto Music School. On their final evening, the students performed additional repertoire in a beautiful, intimate recital in the Steinway Recital Hall at Steinway Piano Gallery Toronto. The evening included a wonderful celebration and award ceremony to acknowledge the musical progression and excellence of these proficient young musicians.