Meet Simi Luttrell, a talented young pianist who will take center stage at this year’s Spark to Flame student showcase on March 1. With free tickets available (RSVP required), this is your chance to experience the magic of young musicians bringing their dreams to life.
A Musical Journey
Simi has been playing the piano for 10 years, currently studying under the expert guidance of May Ling Kwok. Simi has experienced numerous memorable moments, most notably a few years ago attending the Mozarteum International Summer Academy in Salzburg Austria for a month.
“I have never had such a jam-packed time in my life. I learned so much, met so many people, and heard so much beautiful music.”
Choosing the Perfect Piece
Simi chose a piece – Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 – that is packed with drama, beauty, and comedy. He hopes to capture the audience’s attention and let them experience what the composer wrote, instead of trying to suggest a particular emotion.
Immediately before his turn on stage, you will find him in a practice room stretching and doing breathing exercises to feel grounded and loose, while listening to the end of the first act of La Bohème.
Inspirations and Aspirations
Simi sites his teachers as his main inspiration – their undying passion, the utmost curiosity and patience, and the determination to create art at whatever they believe is the highest standard.
“In short, the love they put into music is the biggest inspiration for me.”
He aspires to excite and move people with music, whether it is as a performer to an audience, as a teacher to a student, or as a collaborator to a fellow collaborator.
Celebrating our Faculty
Simi’s teacher, May Ling Kwok, is one of over 120 incredible faculty members at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. They collectively cover a wide array of disciplines from instrumental, vocal, and theory to music technology, therapy, and Early Childhood.
A Performance You Don’t Want to Miss
Join us at the Spark to Flame showcase to witness Simi and other talented young musicians perform alongside professional mentors.
- Date: March 1, 2025
- Time: 7:30pm
- Location: Alix Goolden Performance Hall, entrance at 900 Johnson Street
- Tickets: Free (RSVP required)
2025 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 featuring seven very talented student soloists accompanied by fellow student peers, faculty artists, and other professional musicians.
