Musicians

Émilie Gagnon

  • I am from Rigaud and I am currently a veterinary medicine student at Université de Montréal in Saint-Hyacinthe, where I live with my cat Elton. I have been playing the violin since the age of 4, and studying with Judy Hung since I was 8. I love reading, horseback riding, outdoor activites, travelling, and of course, music! I am happy to be part of the VSYSO, where I can share my love for music with other passionate musicians.

Ariana Brien

  • I started learning the violin when I was almost 6 years old. I followed the suzuki method with my teacher Catherine Merklinger for many years and then continued with my current teacher Sallynee Amawat. This is my first time being in an orchestra and I think it’s a fun and motivating way of learning the violin. Some of my other hobbies are drawing, painting, and listening to music. I also play the piano and the electric guitar.

Nicholas Morzycki

  • Nicholas began piano lessons at the age of 6, and violin lessons at 9.  He recently graduated from Westwood Senior High School, where he received awards for both music and physics. He currently attends John Abbot College, Science Program. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his scooter and hanging out with friends.

Lukas Morzycki

  • Lukas began piano lessons at the age of 5, and violin lessons at 6. He currently attends Grade 10 at Westwood Senior High School. Last year, he was awarded 5 separate athletic medals, and received the award for the highest academic average of his year. Beyond performing, Lukas has many other interests, among which are: running, coding, composing, and tinkering with all things mechanical.

Vanessa Brien

  • I started learning the flute at age five with the Suzuki method under the mentorship of my teacher Sylvia Niedzwiecka. I participated in a few junior competitions, ensemble classes, and the Royal Conservatory of Music exams with the guidance of Sylvia and Judy Hung. I’ve been a flutist in the OSJVS since 2021, and I really appreciate the collaborative environment and performance opportunities involved. I’m currently studying Physiology and Math at McGill University and pursuing an internship at McGill’s GCI research center.

Owen Cowie

  • My name is Owen Cowie. I am 15 years old and I play the clarinet. Although this is my first time in an orchestra, I’ve been playing music for years. I started to play the guitar at age 8. I’ve also played the trumpet and tuba, and I now play alto saxophone with Steven Dubinsky at Westwood Senior, where I attend in Grade 10. I’m currently taking clarinet lessons with Noah Amyotte. I enjoy reading, biking and spending time with my friends.

Cecilia Rodriguez

  • Cecilia began her musical journey at the age of 6, exploring various percussion and wind instruments in her native country, Argentina. In high school, she took piano lessons for five years, but her true passion has always been the violin, which she has been playing for 12 years. She enjoys playing duets and trios with her musician friends during her leisure time. Cecilia joined the OSJVS in 2024, studying under violin teacher Judy Hung. With a background in architecture, Cecilia also has a love for sports and the arts, including painting, horseback riding, snowboarding, and tennis.

Jean-Francois Sourd

  • Jean-Francois comes from a family of musicians and had the opportunity to play from a very young age.  He started violin studies at age 4, trumpet since age 8 and then piano since age 10.  Now is secondary school, he is pursuing piano studies with the Suzuki school of music and also enjoys playing trumpet with the College concert Band and the Jazz Stage band. He joined the OSJVS in 2024 and plays the trumpet. Apart from music, Jean-Francois is also fluent in 3 languages, and much interested in science, propulsion engineering, and history. He enjoys reading and watching documentaries.

Camille Vallée

  • I play violin since I am 13 years old. My first lesson was January 2024 and that's when I discovered a passion for music. My current teacher is Jenny Coderre at Long and McQuade. Playing in an orchestra really made me improved my skills. I also play a little bit of piano at home, but I focus my studie son the violin. I am not playing violin, I am reading, writing or playing different sports like softball.

Katherine Bennett

  • Katherine plays piano and flute. She started playing piano at 5. She enjoys playing classical and baroque music and her favorite composer is Bach. Her other passions include reading and writing. She started playing flute in school. She attends grade 9 at Charlemagne College high school.

Hannah Creese

  • Hannah is 21 years old and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology at McGill University (Macdonald campus). Living in Rigaud, Quebec, she has always had a deep fascination with nature and wildlife, and enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, or birdwatching. Music has always been a source of joy and inspiration for Hannah. She has been playing the violin since she was 6 years old, and studied music under Judy Hung. She loves classical music, especially the works of composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms. Collaborating with other musicians is something she enjoys, and she is especially grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Youth Symphony Orchestra and to be able to share the joy of music with others.

Andrew Creese

  • Andrew is 19 years old and currently in the Science and Music program at Vanier College. He has played the piano since the age of 5, first taking lessons with Dr. Judy Hung, and now studying under Dr. Julia Gavrilova at Vanier. He is grateful for the opportunity through his Cégep program to pursue his love for classical music and the piano in particular, and is especially enjoying participating in the Vanier College choir. He especially loves the music of Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff. In addition to solo repertoire, Andrew enjoys collaborating with his sisters in duets and trios. Associated with OSJVS since 2021, Andrew has enjoyed contributing to the orchestra, playing keyboard and percussion as well as taking part in chamber music ensembles. He is thankful for the opportunity to share the joy of music with the Vaudreuil-Soulanges community.

Eleanor Creese

  • Eleanor is 13 years old, and lives in Rigaud. She is home schooled, and music has always been one of her favourite subjects. Eleanor began studying the cello at the age of six and has been taking piano lessons with Judy Hung since she was nine. Eleanor has been a member of the VSYSO since 2021 and really enjoys the experience of ensemble playing and sharing music with others.

Shawn Jiang

  • My name is Shawn Jiang. I’m currently home-schooled. Music is one of my favourite hobbies. I used to sing hymns at church, and I started learning the piano with my mom ever since I could remember. I started the cello with cellist Mr. Dominique Beauséjour-Ostiguy this spring. I really enjoy listening to classical music, 50s-80s hits and music by Joe Hisaishi. Thanks to Mrs. Judy Hung for inviting me to become a member of OSJVS. I’m so thrilled to pursue my music dream with the friends who love music like me.

  • My name is Alexia and I'm 15 years old. When we started playing the violin in elementary school, I began to love playing the violin. After I graduated elementary school, I stopped playing the violin for 2 years. I'm glad that I started playing the violin again in 2024. I'm currently taking lessons and I'm also part of the violin ensemble for my music school. Although this is my first time in an orchestra, I'm excited for what's to come.

Alexia Hanson

Previous members

Alice Dion

  • I am a 13-year-old trumpeter from Les Coteaux. Currently, I am a Grade 8 student at Les Navigateurs High School in Saint-Zotique. My journey with the trumpet began in the elementary school band of Coteau-du-Lac just two years ago, and in January 2024, I joined VSYSO to further pursue my musical passion.

  • Trista Zecchel started playing the piano at the age of 5 and has completed the Royal Conservatory of Music level 10 practical exam for piano. She started the violin at 15 and was the concert master at St. Thomas High School’s Symphonic Orchestra and the Musical Pit Orchestra. She joined the OSJVS in the fall of 2021 to continue performing with other musicians and to share her passion for music. She currently studies Honours Health Sciences at Marianopolis College, and is a member of the Mari Engineering Society, Programming club and the Science Society.

Trista Zecchel

Margot

  • Margot is completing her CEGEP studies in natural sciences. She has been playing the violin for several years, as well as the piano occasionally. She has been a member of the OSJVS since 2021, and she still finds it a beautiful and very rewarding project, allowing us to flourish as young musicians.

Melissa Siwik-Morzycki

  • Melissa started piano lessons at the age of 5. She picked up a viola for the first time in high school, and it was love at first bow stroke. Melissa obtained a DEC in music (piano) from Vanier College, and later a B.Ed (concentration in music) from McGill University. She currently teaches music at Forest Hill Senior in St.Lazare, and also teaches piano lessons from her private studio in Rigaud. Melissa is a dedicated chorister, and currently sings with the Stewart Hall Singers in Pointe Claire as an alto.

Julia Morzycki

  • Julia plays piano and flute in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Youth Symphony Orchestra. After completing a degree in Honours Science at John Abbott College, she is now working towards a bachelor’s in Physical Therapy at McGill. She works as an undergraduate course assistant at McGill's anatomy lab where she shares a passion for anatomical science with fellow students. She’s passionate about all forms of artistic expression including painting, drawing, crocheting, writing and of course music.

Sarah Loud

  • Sarah loves music and enjoys playing several instruments. She began playing piano at 4 years old and recently passed the Grade 8 RCM exam. She plays keyboard on a youth worship team at church. In high school, Sarah started playing the flute. Having always loved the violin, she began taking lessons with Judy Hung and joined VSYSO last year. Sarah also loves the outdoors, animals and reading books.

Emma Song

  • My name is Emma, and I'm 12 years old. I have a passion for anything related to art, and I love playing the cello. My favorite musician is Bach.

Bilig Cheng

  • Bilig is 9 years old. He began to study the cello at age seven at UQAM. Then he continued his cello studies with Olga Mizyuk who developed his performance skills and the understanding of musical works. He is happy to have the chance to play with other musicians together in OSJVS. Bilig is also an insect lover and a judo player.

Amélie Tao

  • Hi! My name is Amelie. I’m 7 years old and in Grade 2. I started playing the violin when I was 4 and a half, and my violin teacher is Emily Redhead. I love music—sometimes it feels like everything I hear turns into musical notes in my head! When I’m not playing the violin, I like to read books, draw, and go ice skating. This is my first year with OSJVS, and I’m really excited to make music with so many talented musicians!

Juliette

  • From the region, Juliette has been playing the flute since she was 8 years old. She participated in activities with the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Youth Symphony Orchestra for four years before joining the orchestra. What she loves: playing with other musicians and broadening her musical horizons.