Introducing the 2026-27 London Symphonia / Western University 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 2026-27 artistic season:

• Erin Van Dyke, violin
• Cian Diamond, viola
• Tasman Tantasawat++, viola
• Deverson Correia, cello
• Abi Greenland+, cello

+ Returning Fellow. First appointed in 2025-26
++ Returning Fellow. Previously appointed in 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25

Created in 2022, the Fellowship program provides up to five full-time Western string students 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. Key funding for this initiative is provided by the Don Wright Faculty of Music Dean's Fund.

"This fellowship exemplifies the transformative experiential learning opportunities we strive to provide at the Don Wright Faculty of Music. By stepping into professional orchestral roles with London Symphonia, our students gain invaluable performance experience, broaden their training beyond our campus ensembles and become part of the rich cultural tapestry of the London community, taking their skills beyond our campus and connecting with audiences in new settings. They build the confidence and skills needed to thrive in the profession," said Dean Sophie Roland, Don Wright Faculty of Music.

Now entering its fifth year, the London Symphonia Fellowship with Western University has benefitted 16 Don Wright Faculty of Music students, some of whom have gone on win Fellowship auditions in subsequent years.

"London Symphonia musicians warmly welcome the 2026-27 Season cohort of Fellows," said Andrew Chung, Artistic Producer, London Symphonia. "These young musicians have worked hard for almost their entire lives honing their skills and working on their craft. We are especially delighted that they will be joining us as we celebrate London Symphonia’s 10th Anniversary throughout the Season." 

All Fellowship candidates benefit from support which is a hallmark of the program. A pre-audition workshop provides valuable tips on improving mental preparation and performance on the day. Immediately following the audition, candidates receive feedback on their performance so that they can grow, learn about how they react under pressure and develop their resiliency in a competitive environment.

"What I continually find surprising is what the Fellows give back to the orchestra on stage," said Chung. "We mentor and share strategies on how to succeed as professional musicians; the Fellows give back a sense of wonder to the music they are performing and a willingness to prepare and perform at the highest level. It is a chemistry that is wonderfully synergistic." 

The Fellows will perform with London Symphonia in three concert programs in the 2026-27 season:

• October 17, 2026 Opening Night: Breathtaking Mahler and Good - James S. Kahane, conductor
• February 6, 2027 Three Greats: Tchaikovsky, Elgar and Crozman - Cosette Justo Valdés, conductor
• May 1, 2027 London Listens Extravaganza with Tom Allen - Gordon Gerrard, conductor

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

With a core of 30 players, London Symphonia concerts feature the orchestra’s talented musicians, spotlight international and Canadian guest artists and guest conductors, premiere commissioned and other new works by Canadian composers, and showcase local artists and ensembles 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 and young musicians, contributing to London’s vibrant arts scene and sharing the joy of music with people across the community.

2026-27 London Symphonia / Western University Fellows

Erin Van Dyke, violin

Erin Van Dyke is a violinist from Vineland, Ontario. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in music performance at Western University, where she studies under Mel Martin. In 2025 she completed her undergraduate studies at Western University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance degree. Erin has extensive experience performing with orchestras: she is a member of the International Symphony Orchestra, the KW Chamber Orchestra, the Western University Symphony Orchestra, and has also played with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra. During her studies at Western she has played with numerous chamber ensembles, including a bass quintet and a string quartet. She has attended festivals including Cascade Peaks Chamberfest and Berlin Opera Academy, where she found a passion for opera. This past summer, Erin had the opportunity to travel to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to play in the orchestra for a fully staged production of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. In addition, she has played in productions of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro. On top of her performance career, Erin also teaches private violin lessons.

Cian Diamond, viola

Cian Diamond is a violist from Salt Lake City, Utah. Currently a third-year undergraduate student at Western University studying under Sharon Wei, Cian is a member of the Western University Symphony Orchestra as well as the Early Music Studio. A lifelong lover of ensemble music, Cian served as principal violist for the Young Artist Chamber Players in Utah for several years. Cian was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Canada for its 65th anniversary tour in 2025. Most recently, they attended the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute in 2026, where they played in both orchestral and chamber ensembles.

Tasman Tantasawat, viola

Tasman Tantasawat is a violist from Thailand currently studying in the Doctor of Musical Arts program in viola performance at Western University under the guidance of Sharon Wei. Tasman came to Canada in 2014 and received his Bachelor of Music degree in music performance from Dalhousie University. Tasman won the Concerto Night competition and subsequently performed with the Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra as a soloist in 2021. Tasman was accepted into the renowned National Youth Orchestra of Canada for their 2022, 2023 and 2024 tours. He received the Stephen Sitarski Leadership Award during his 2024 tour in recognition of his leadership within the orchestra.

Deverson Correia, cello

Brazilian cellist Deverson Correia has performed with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, Cerrado Ensemble, and Duo Guerra–Correia. A prizewinner in competitions such as the New World Symphony’s Side-by-Side, Brazil’s Young Soloists Awards Aldo Parisot, Canada’s Glimpses of the Future Competition, and the Roots and Branches Mentorship Project, he has also participated in major festivals and masterclasses with internationally renowned cellists. From 2021 to 2023, he was an academist with the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra. He recently completed his master’s degree in Cello Performance at the University of Manitoba under Dr. Minna Rose Chung. Deverson is currenty pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts at Western University under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Wiebe.

Abi Greenland, cello

Abi Greenland is a cellist from Toronto, Ontario currently pursuing a master’s degree in performance at Western University with Professor Thomas Wiebe. She is passionate about ensemble playing and has been an active member of many different orchestral programs and chamber ensembles throughout her schooling and summer festivals. While pursuing her undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, Abigail held positions as section leader in the University of Ottawa Orchestra, Ottawa POP’s Orchestra and was chosen as a mentor for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program. She won first prize in the uOttawa chamber competition with her String Quartet (2023-24). After arriving in London, Abigail co-founded the Sea Cello Trio, played as section leader of the Western University Symphony Orchestra and this past January, received the second-place prize in the Martisa Brookes Concerto Competition. Some of her favourite memories have been made playing in the pit for Western’s Opera productions of Die Fledermaus, Cosi Fan Tutte and Sweeney Todd. Abigail has enjoyed travelling the East and West Coasts of Canada the past two summers participating in Scotiafestival of Music in Halifax, NS and PRISMA Music Academy in Powell River, BC. As a winner of the PRIMSA Festival’s 2025 Concerto competition, she performed the first movement of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto. This past summer she attended with her string trio as chamber fellows, was coached by the Garneau String Quartet and played alongside violinist Simone Porter.