Spark to Flame Student Showcase

This concert is in Alix Goolden Performance Hall, entrance at 900 Johnson Street.

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About Spark to Flame

The annual Spark to Flame concert, presented by the Ann & George Nation Conservatory School of Classical Music, is a beloved tradition that celebrates and nurtures the next generation of musical talent at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Soloists are selected through a rigorous audition process and then mentored by Conservatory faculty in the weeks leading up to the performance, including special rehearsals with a full orchestra.

This year’s concert, taking place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, will shine a spotlight on seven exceptional student soloists, joined by an ensemble of their peers, faculty, and professional musicians for an unforgettable evening of inspiring music.

Supported by the CRD Arts & Culture, BC Gaming, and NRS Foundation.

Media Sponsors: Chek News | Rogers Media

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Student Soloists

Tyler Evans-Knott, flute
Originally from Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, Anishinaabe flutist Tyler is pursuing a Flute Performance Diploma, studying with Emily Nagelbach at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. A recipient of several awards and scholarships, Tyler has performed regularly as a soloist and with various orchestras, in the west and in Ontario. He has begun delving into the world of composition, premiering his first work at the 2024 Classical Indigenous Music Residency at the Banff Centre. Most recently, Tyler had the opportunity to attend the renowned Domaine Forget de Charlevoix International Music Academy.

Marlo Karakas, voice
Marlo has been studying at the Conservatory for about 6 years. He is currently in his second year of the Postsecondary diploma program where he studies with Jennifer Turner. In the last year he has placed first in the French and Oratorio competitions and second in the English and Aria competitions. In addition to his work as a soloist, Marlo is also a choral scholar with the St John the Divine chorus under David Stratkauskas.

Angela Pan, piano
Angela has been studying piano with Ingrid Henderson at the Conservatory since the age of 5. She is an award-winning pianist who has earned top distinctions at the Music Festival of Greater Victoria, winning multiple awards in the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior piano divisions between 2022 and 2025. In 2023, she was recommended to the FCMF National Music Festival, where she earned the prestigious Platinum Standard of Achievement—one of only six recipients nationwide. She performed as a concerto soloist in the 2025 Rising Star Concerto Extravaganza in Vancouver, and was recently selected to perform with the Cowichan Consort Orchestra in March 2026.

Walter Rees, violin
Walter Rees has been studying the violin for 13 years, the last four with Müge Büyükçelen at the Conservatory. A graduate of the Gary Karr Young Artists Performance Academy, he has received the Orval and Blanche Beatty Chamber Music Scholarship for Chamber Music multiple times, and the Katarina Scholarship Prize for composition. Walter was previously a Spark to Flame soloist in 2023.

Daniel Sanabria Torres, flute
Daniel is a Colombian flutist from Bogotá who began his musical career at the age of six. At just thirteen years old, he was invited to perform with violinist André Rieu in Bogotá. He now continues his musical training at the Conservatory and performs as a member of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. He was named the 2025 winner of the Cowichan Consort Concerto Competition and the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, and placed first in the FCMF National Music Festival in both Ensemble and Developing Artist divisions, and first in Junior Woodwinds at the Performing Arts BC Festival.

Hope Syyong, violin
Hope is 9 years old, studying under the guidance of Müge Büyükçelen at the Conservatory. Since early childhood, Hope has appreciated how the violin allows her to express herself, from its bold, resonant tone to its sweetest high notes. Her accomplishments in 2025 include receiving the B.E. Scholarship and the Catherine Gillespie Memorial Scholarship from the Conservatory, earning the Adjudicator’s Choice and Baroque Awards at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival for her expressive playing, and winning the Murray Adaskin Composition Award for her creative work. She is also part of the Gary Karr Young Artists Performance Academy.

Filbert Zhang, piano
Filbert is studying with May-Ling Kwok at the Conservatory and is a member of the Senior Young Artists Performance Academy. He began playing piano at the age of five and regularly participates in community performances such as Conservatory Garden Tours and the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. A grade 11 student at Mount Douglas Secondary School, he is honoured and grateful to be able to perform at this occasion alongside the orchestra.

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Conductor

Grant Harville
Grant Harville acts as Music/Artistic Director for the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, Sidney’s Via Choralis, and the Victoria Harmony Choir. This season, he will additionally lead performances with the Victoria Symphony, Ballet Victoria, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and the Vancouver Island Chamber Choir. Previously, Grant held director positions with the Great Falls Symphony, Idaho State-Civic Symphony, and Bozeman Symphony, and was Assistant Director with the Georgia Symphony. His guest conducting appearances include the Okanagan Symphony, Boise Philharmonic, Southwest Michigan Symphony, St. Cloud Symphony, and Oistrach Symphony.

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Venue Accessibility

The 900 Johnson Street entrance is wheelchair accessible at street level. There’s a drop-off zone out front, elevator access inside, and several accessible washrooms, including a gender-neutral washroom.

We honour Canoo and Access 2 Passes. For priority seating or other accommodations, contact us in advance.

For full details, visit vcm.bc.ca/plan-your-visit