Announcing the 2024 London Symphonia Fellows

London Symphonia and the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University are pleased to announce the five exceptional students who have been appointed to the London Symphonia Fellowship with Western University for the orchestra’s 2024-25 artistic season:

  • Yanet Campbell-Secades, violin+*
  • Chen Chia-Hsuan, violin+
  • Sarah Cupit, cello
  • Iris Leck, bass
  • Tasman Tantasawat, viola+*

Created in 2022, the Fellowship program provides five full-time Western string students considering a career as a professional orchestral musician with a rich package of professional training, performance experience and mentoring, starting with a highly competitive audition process that mirrors the established practice of professional orchestral auditions. The initiative is funded by the Western Strategic Priorities Fund and supported by the Gordon Jeffery Music Foundation.

“For the third year in a row, our students have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to cultivate and grow their professional skills alongside London Symphonia’s outstanding, high calibre musicians,” said dean Michael Kim, Don Wright Faculty of Music. “I am thrilled the Fellowship program continues to offer a uniquely experiential and relevant experience to our string majors as they gain invaluable experience being part of a professional orchestra.”

“London Symphonia musicians are delighted to welcome the 2024-25 Season cohort of Fellows,” said Andrew Chung, Artistic Producer, London Symphonia. “Providing these accomplished young musicians with mentoring and a rich training program alongside the opportunity to experience playing in a professional orchestra is an invaluable next step in their development.

“The experience starts with the rigorous audition process. All candidates learn how they react under extreme pressure and we are able to give helpful feedback so that each player can grow and develop their resiliency in a competitive environment.”

Paired with London Symphonia mentors who share strategies on how best to prepare for concerts, the Fellows will perform with the orchestra in four concert programs in the 2024-25 season:

London Symphonia is one of the finest professional regional orchestras in Canada. Its reputation for artistic excellence and high calibre of musicianship attracts outstanding guest artists and conductors.

With a core of 30 players, London Symphonia concerts feature talented London Symphonia musicians, spotlight international and Canadian guest artists and guest conductors, premiere commissioned and other new works by Canadian composers, and showcase local musical groups through creative collaborations.

A successful, flourishing organization, London Symphonia is committed to artistic excellence and experience, deepening music education through mentorship and training for emerging artists, improving the quality of life throughout the community, engaging new audiences, and fostering creative partnerships.

2024-25 London Symphonia / Western University Fellows

Yanet Campbell-Secades, violin+*
Born in Camagüey, Cuba, violinist Yanet Campbell Secades is an accomplished soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. Her skilled and sensitive playing has enabled her to perform in some of the most important venues in Cuba, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. In 2015, she won the first prize at Cuba’s prestigious Unión de Artistas y Escritores Cubanos competition, and in 2019 she was awarded 2nd prize, in the strings category, within the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals’ National Competition.

Chen Chia-Hsuan, violin+
Chen Chia-Hsuan is a violinist from Taiwan. She is an accomplished soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician. Her early experiences in music education and unwavering dedication led her to excel in national and international competitions. Her passion for music propelled her to study abroad at the University of Western Ontario, where she is pursuing a master's degree in music. Her experience ranges from Baroque, contemporary, solo, and orchestral performances. Her exceptional talent has been recognized through various awards and achievements. Taiwan National Student Competition of Music (2020) - Merit Award; National Taiwan University Concerto Competition (2021) - Judges' Award; Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition (2022) - Final Round Participant. At the same time, she has also been a member of multiple orchestras such as a Fellowship from the London Symphony and London Youth Symphony.

Sarah Cupit, cello
Sarah Cupit is currently pursuing a master's degree in literature and music performance with renowned cellist Professor Tom Wiebe at Western University, where she has been awarded a Graduate Research Scholarship, London Music Scholarship Foundation Endowment Award, and the Gordon Jeffery Strings and Chamber Music Graduate Award. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning both an Admission Scholarship and a Merit Scholarship.

A dedicated cellist since the age of three, Sarah has developed a passion for chamber music and orchestral performance. Her wide range of orchestral experiences include positions as Assistant Principal Cello at the Scotia Festival of Music, Casalmaggiore International Music Festival, PRISMA Festival, and Section Cello with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she has served as Principal Cello for the University of Ottawa, Whispering River Orchestra, London Youth Symphony, Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra, and Forest City Talent Education.

Having recently returned to London, Ontario, Sarah is involved in teaching at the Boys and Girls Club and will be assisting faculty as a mentor and chamber player with the Young Artist Pre-College Academy. She is passionate about continuing her education in teaching philosophy and pedagogy, with aspirations to contribute to symphony and chamber music ensembles.

Iris Leck, bass
Iris Leck is a Canadian double bassist from Midland, Ontario. They have participated in various festivals and music programs around Canada, including as co-principal of l’Orchestre de la Francophonie in 2023. Iris has also performed in Spain, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. They are currently pursuing a Master of Music Performance at Western University with Joseph Philips.

Tasman Tantasawat, viola+*
Tasman Tantasawat is a violist from Thailand currently studying the DMA in viola performance program under the guidance of Sharon Wei. Tasman came to Canada in 2014 and spent most of his time in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in music performance from Dalhousie University.

Tasman was the principal violist for the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra for two years, and he was awarded winner of the Concerto Night competition, subsequently performing with Dalhousie Symphony orchestra as a soloist in 2021. Tasman has performed in multiple music festivals, most recently participating in the Scotia Festival of Music 2022 in Halifax. He was accepted into the renowned National Youth Orchestra of Canada for their 2022, 2023 and 2024 tour. He received the Stephen Sitarski Leadership Award during his tour in 2024 in recognition of his leadership capability within the orchestra.

+ Returning Fellow. First appointed in 2023-24
+*Returning Fellow. First appointed in 2022-23