PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES
Soprano Kripa Nageshwar received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Alberta and her Master of Music degree from the University of Montréal, under the guidance of Adrienne Savoie and Louise-Andree Baril. She has performed the roles of Miss Pinkerton (The Old Maid and the Thief) and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro) at the University of Alberta; Moth in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Célie in Signor Deluso and Miss Silverpeal in Der Schauspieldirektor at the Opera NUOVA Summer Program; and Ida in Die Fledermaus at the University of Montréal’s Opera-Studio. Ms. Nageshwar also had the unique opportunity to participate in the summer program at the Franz Schubert Institut in Baden bei Wien, Austria in July 2007, where she developed her skills in German Lieder. In June 2009, Ms. Nageshwar organized and performed in a Trans-Canada Recital Tour, visiting five major Canadian cities, to raise funds for local charities. Since then, she has been auditioning and participating in competitions, whilst continuing to build her operatic repertoire and exploring Oratorio and Baroque music.
Violinist Evan Pyne is a graduate of The Royal Conservatory’s Taylor Academy, studying under Marie Bérard and Barry Shiffman, and currently is in his fourth year of studies with Ilya Kaler at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has performed as a soloist with the Canadian Sinfonietta, Oakville Chamber Orchestra, North York Concert Orchestra, Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, and Huronia Symphony Orchestra. Evan won first prize at the Canadian Music Competition in 2018, second prize at the Orchestre Métropolitain OMNI Competition in 2021, fourth prize at the 2021 Rudolph Barshai International Strings Competition, third prize at the Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition in 2019, and was a finalist at the 2020 International Grumiaux Competition. Evan’s performances at Canada’s National Commemorative Ceremony in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, and the National Commemoration for the Duke of Edinburgh were aired nation-wide on the Canadian Broadcasting Company.
During the summer of 2022, Evan toured as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and received one of the program's awards of excellence. The following summer, in 2023, Evan was one of the winners of the Pacific Region International Music Association's concerto competition and performed the first movement of the Sibelius violin concerto with the festival's orchestra. He has also participated at the Heifetz International Music Institute and the Interharmony International Music Festival. Evan has received guidance from violinists such as Guy Braunstein, Martin Beaver, Ida Kavafian, Vadim Repin, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Vadim Gluzman, and James Ehnes.
Sinfonia Toronto now in its 27th season, has toured twice in Europe, in the US, South America and China, receiving glowing reviews. It has released six CD’s, including a JUNO Award winner, and performs in many Ontario cities. Its extensive repertoire includes all the major string orchestra works of the 18th through 21st centuries, and it has premiered many new works. Under the baton of Nurhan Arman the orchestra’s performances present outstanding international guest artists and prominent Canadian musicians.
Maestro Nurhan Arman has conducted throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and the US, returning regularly to many orchestras in Europe. Among the orchestras Maestro Arman has conducted are the Moscow Philharmonic, Deutsches Kammerorchester Frankfurt, Filarmonica Italiana, St. Petersburg State Hermitage Orchestra, Orchestre Regional d’Ile de France, Hungarian Symphony, Arpeggione Kammerorchester, Milano Classica and Belgrade Philharmonic.
