Introducing Elana Lin!
One of the student soloists at the 2024 Spark to Flame Student Showcase!
Elana Lin is 17 years old in Grade 12 at Mount Douglas Secondary School. She has been playing violin for 10 years with hopes of pursuing music performance for her university education currently studying with Simon MacDonald and Müge Büyükçelen at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She previously worked with Tatiana Kostour and Catheryn Kennedy. Elana has been a part of the Collegium Young Artists Program for seven years and the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra for five years. She annually participates in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival where she was further recommended to the Provincials festival for both solo and chamber classes. In 2022 her chamber ensemble was recommended to the Provincials Festival, Canada West Performing Arts Festival and the Nationals Festival (Federation of Canadian Music Festivals) and was successful in all rounds. These past few years, Elana has had the opportunity of soloing with the VCM Senior String Orchestra as well as the Victoria Chamber Orchestra as the winner of the 2023 Louis Sherman Concerto Competition. Elana has privileged of attending many summer music programs such as the Victoria Summer Strings Intensive, Rosamunde Summer Music Academy, Quartet Fest West, Domaine Forget de Charlevoix and the Ottawa Summer Music Academy. This year, she was successful in the Cowichan Consort Concerto Competition and will be performing with the Cowichan Consort Orchestra in March 2024.
How long have you been learning music/ playing your instrument?
I’ve playing music for ten and a half years. I am a member of the Collegium Young Artists Program and currently study with Simon MacDonald and Müge Büyükçelen.
Why did you apply to perform at Spark to Flame? What piece are you performing and why did you choose it?
I love performing and I applied to gain a rewarding performance experience with the Victoria Conservatory Senior Orchestra. I think the Spark to Flame showcase is an amazing opportunity to work and perform with professionals.
I am performing the 1st mvt from Saint Saëns Violin Concerto no. 3 in b minor. I chose to work on this piece as I always admired the work on Saint Saëns and have always really enjoyed listening to this concerto. This piece brought technical and musical challenges that allowed me to grow as a violinist and musician.
What are your aspirations in music?
My hope and dream is to pursue music performance with hopes of becoming a professional violinist.
2024 Spark to Flame Student Showcase
The annual Spark to Flame program is presented through the Ann & George Nation Conservatory School of Classical Music and supports the development of young emerging professional artists.
Open to all students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, soloists are selected through audition, and then offered the opportunity to be mentored by various Conservatory faculty over the weeks leading up to the concert, including rehearsals with orchestra.
The concert is a magical evening, and this year’s performance on Saturday February 24, 2024, will feature seven very talented student soloists chosen this year to be accompanied by fellow student peers who are joined by faculty artists and other professional musicians.
Supported by the Henwood Family Fund and BC Gaming.
Venue Accessibility
The 900 Johnson Street entrance is at ground-level and wheelchair accessible. There is an elevator located on the first floor: as you enter the building go down the ramp to your right and the elevator is on the left at the bottom. Priority seating can be provided at concerts if you have accessibility issues; please contact the Venues Department . Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the main floor, beside the lobby in the Reception and Registration area.
Capacity is limited for this concert, please order your free ticket in advance for entry.
Entrance for this concert is at 900 Johnson Street, and the balcony will be closed.
