Previously known as the Toronto Cultural Youth Orchestra, has been a part of the Canadian Sinfonietta family since 2011. Founded in 1985 as a non-profit organization in Toronto, Canadian Sinfonietta has always had a strong vision to mentor and nurture young musicians. CSYO does so at their weekly rehearsals in a welcoming environment where students can enjoy and learn through music making. Under the batons of Maestro Tak Ng Lai (senior orchestra) and violinist Joyce Lai (junior strings), members benefit from their vast professional experience and musicianship. Each year CSYO presents at least three concerts in the Greater Toronto Area, a Winter and Spring Concert in addition to extra outreach community performances and most recently a Fundraising concert featuring their groups from the chamber program started in 2023.

Significant non-series events over the years include performing for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Toronto in 2002. Other notable performances include participation in the Asian Heritage Month Festival, performing for a number of Canadian dignitaries, among them, past and present Senators and Members of Parliament, the 2013 Free the Children’s We Day event in Toronto, as well as performing at the Rogers Centre for the Canadian Airline International Chinese New Year Festival.

CSYO has also had a prolific international career! In 2013, string members travelled to Udine, Italy and Vienna, Austria where they gave many successful performances. In the summer of 2016, the group represented the City of Markham in the mission of “Music Without Borders” to cultivate and promote music appreciation in cities in China including Dongguan, Jiangmen, Naihai, and Foshan. In 2017, the group again had the opportunity to tour Italy and Austria. In addition to being warmly received by audiences in Europe, the students garnered a great deal of success through this chance of a lifetime learning experience. In the summer of 2023 CSYO again traveled to Europe and played six concerts in Austria and Italy. A particular highlight from that trip was performing to a packed house in Salzburg (the birth place of Mozart) where the internationally acclaimed Salzburg Festival was ongoing simultaneously!

The CSYO makes a point of performing both traditional as well as newly composed Canadian or other interesting works with non-traditional heritage.

CSYO will continue to outreach to different communities and cultures through their music making. Auditions are held every year in September. Please visit www.canadiansinfonietta.com (http://www.canadiansinfonietta.com) for more information about our concerts, “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.