The Artists Behind the Sound of OSJVS
Welcome to the heart and soul of OSJVS. Here you’ll find the talented instrumentalists, and artists who bring our scores to life. Explore their profiles, discover their musical journeys, and see the faces behind the sound.
Our orchestra brings together an incredible community of dedicated young artists who play across the Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass), Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon), Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba), and Percussion. They come together to share their remarkable talent, passion, and artistry with our audience, bringing every score to life. Explore their profiles below to discover the faces and stories behind the music.
Émilie Gagnon
I am from Rigaud and I am currently a veterinary medicine student at Université de Montréal in Saint-Hyacinthe, where I live with my cat Elton. I have been playing the violin since the age of 4, and studying with Judy Hung since I was 8. I love reading, horseback riding, outdoor activites, travelling, and of course, music! I am happy to be part of the VSYSO, where I can share my love for music with other passionate musicians.
Ariana Brien
I started learning the violin when I was almost 6 years old. I followed the suzuki method with my teacher Catherine Merklinger for many years and then continued with my current teacher Sallynee Amawat. This is my first time being in an orchestra and I think it’s a fun and motivating way of learning the violin. Some of my other hobbies are drawing, painting, and listening to music. I also play the piano and the electric guitar.
Vanessa Brien
I have been playing the flute since I was 5 years old, studying with my teacher Sylvia Niedzwiecka. Alongside music, I am currently a PhD student at McGill University, where I focus on cancer research. I have been a member of OSJVS since 2021, and I truly appreciate the collaborative environment and the many performance opportunities offered by the orchestra, made possible through the guidance of our director Judy Hung and her team. My favorite composers are Vivaldi and Telemann. I especially enjoy Baroque music and find their flute concertos both engaging and rewarding to perform.
Lukas Morzycki
Lukas began piano lessons at the age of 5, and violin lessons at 6. He currently attends Grade 10 at Westwood Senior High School. Last year, he was awarded 5 separate athletic medals, and received the award for the highest academic average of his year. Beyond performing, Lukas has many other interests, among which are: running, coding, composing, and tinkering with all things mechanical.
Nicholas Morzycki
Nicholas began piano lessons at the age of 6, and violin lessons at 9. He recently graduated from Westwood Senior High School, where he received awards for both music and physics. He currently attends John Abbot College, Science Program. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his scooter and hanging out with friends.
Owen Cowie
My name is Owen Cowie. I am 15 years old and I play the clarinet. Although this is my first time in an orchestra, I’ve been playing music for years. I started to play the guitar at age 8. I’ve also played the trumpet and tuba, and I now play alto saxophone with Steven Dubinsky at Westwood Senior, where I attend in Grade 10. I’m currently taking clarinet lessons with Noah Amyotte. I enjoy reading, biking and spending time with my friends.
Hannah Creese
Hannah is 21 years old and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology at McGill University (Macdonald campus). Living in Rigaud, Quebec, she has always had a deep fascination with nature and wildlife, and enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, or birdwatching. Music has always been a source of joy and inspiration for Hannah. She has been playing the violin since she was 6 years old, and studied music under Judy Hung. She loves classical music, especially the works of composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms. Collaborating with other musicians is something she enjoys, and she is especially grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Youth Symphony Orchestra and to be able to share the joy of music with others.
Andrew Creese
Andrew is 19 years old and currently in the Science and Music program at Vanier College. He has played the piano since the age of 5, first taking lessons with Dr. Judy Hung, and now studying under Dr. Julia Gavrilova at Vanier. He is grateful for the opportunity through his Cégep program to pursue his love for classical music and the piano in particular, and is especially enjoying participating in the Vanier College choir. He especially loves the music of Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff. In addition to solo repertoire, Andrew enjoys collaborating with his sisters in duets and trios. Associated with OSJVS since 2021, Andrew has enjoyed contributing to the orchestra, playing keyboard and percussion as well as taking part in chamber music ensembles. He is thankful for the opportunity to share the joy of music with the Vaudreuil-Soulanges community.
Eleanor Creese
Eleanor is 13 years old, and lives in Rigaud. She is home schooled, and music has always been one of her favourite subjects. Eleanor began studying the cello at the age of six and has been taking piano lessons with Judy Hung since she was nine. Eleanor has been a member of the VSYSO since 2021 and really enjoys the experience of ensemble playing and sharing music with others.
Jean-Francois Sourd
Jean-Francois comes from a family of musicians and had the opportunity to play from a very young age. He started violin studies at age 4, trumpet since age 8 and then piano since age 10. Now is secondary school, he is pursuing piano studies with the Suzuki school of music and also enjoys playing trumpet with the College concert Band and the Jazz Stage band. He joined the OSJVS in 2024 and plays the trumpet. Apart from music, Jean-Francois is also fluent in 3 languages, and much interested in science, propulsion engineering, and history. He enjoys reading and watching documentaries.
Cecilia Rodriguez
Cecilia began her musical journey at the age of 6, exploring various percussion and wind instruments in her native country, Argentina. In high school, she took piano lessons for five years, but her true passion has always been the violin, which she has been playing for 12 years. She enjoys playing duets and trios with her musician friends during her leisure time. Cecilia joined the OSJVS in 2024, studying under violin teacher Judy Hung. With a background in architecture, Cecilia also has a love for sports and the arts, including painting, horseback riding, snowboarding, and tennis.
Camille Vallée
I play violin since I am 13 years old. My first lesson was January 2024 and that’s when I discovered a passion for music. My current teacher is Jenny Coderre at Long and McQuade. Playing in an orchestra really made me improved my skills. I also play a little bit of piano at home, but I focus my studie son the violin. I am not playing violin, I am reading, writing or playing different sports like softball.
Katherine Bennett
I am currently in Grade 10 at Charlemagne High School, where I play both the piano and the flute. My interest in music began when I was younger, listening to songs on old CDs, which inspired me to learn how to play and perform my favorite pieces myself. I joined the orchestra after experiencing music classes at school, which showed me how enjoyable it is to play music as a group. What I appreciate most about playing in an ensemble is sharing the same pieces with others and experiencing how different instruments come together to create something much richer. To me, playing in an orchestra means creating harmony with others. My favorite composer is Bach, as I really enjoy the beauty and flow of his melodies.
Shawn Jiang
My name is Shawn Jiang. I’m currently home-schooled. Music is one of my favourite hobbies. I used to sing hymns at church, and I started learning the piano with my mom ever since I could remember. I started the cello with cellist Mr. Dominique Beauséjour-Ostiguy this spring. I really enjoy listening to classical music, 50s-80s hits and music by Joe Hisaishi. Thanks to Mrs. Judy Hung for inviting me to become a member of OSJVS. I’m so thrilled to pursue my music dream with the friends who love music like me.
Alexia Hanson
My name is Alexia and I’m 15 years old. When we started playing the violin in elementary school, I began to love playing the violin. After I graduated elementary school, I stopped playing the violin for 2 years. I’m glad that I started playing the violin again in 2024. I’m currently taking lessons and I’m also part of the violin ensemble for my music school. Although this is my first time in an orchestra, I’m excited for what’s to come.
Valérie Medina-Gonzalez
I am Valérie, an 8-year-old student in Grade 2 at École des Légendes. I have been playing the violin for over a year and currently study at the Long & McQuade School of Music.
I started the violin somewhat spontaneously, but quickly developed a strong interest in it. I joined the OSJVS after seeing a poster at Long & McQuade inviting young musicians to participate. Outside of the orchestra, I speak three languages fluently. I also enjoy singing, dancing, and playing a bit of piano.
Previous members
Trista Zecchel
Trista Zecchel started playing the piano at the age of 5 and has completed the Royal Conservatory of Music level 10 practical exam for piano. She started the violin at 15 and was the concert master at St. Thomas High School’s Symphonic Orchestra and the Musical Pit Orchestra. She joined the OSJVS in the fall of 2021 to continue performing with other musicians and to share her passion for music. She currently studies Honours Health Sciences at Marianopolis College, and is a member of the Mari Engineering Society, Programming club and the Science Society.
Alice Dion
I am a 13-year-old trumpeter from Les Coteaux. Currently, I am a Grade 8 student at Les Navigateurs High School in Saint-Zotique. My journey with the trumpet began in the elementary school band of Coteau-du-Lac just two years ago, and in January 2024, I joined VSYSO to further pursue my musical passion.
Margot
Margot is completing her CEGEP studies in natural sciences. She has been playing the violin for several years, as well as the piano occasionally. She has been a member of the OSJVS since 2021, and she still finds it a beautiful and very rewarding project, allowing us to flourish as young musicians.
Julia Morzycki
Julia plays piano and flute in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Youth Symphony Orchestra. After completing a degree in Honours Science at John Abbott College, she is now working towards a bachelor’s in Physical Therapy at McGill. She works as an undergraduate course assistant at McGill’s anatomy lab where she shares a passion for anatomical science with fellow students. She’s passionate about all forms of artistic expression including painting, drawing, crocheting, writing and of course music.
Melissa Siwik-Morzycki
Melissa started piano lessons at the age of 5. She picked up a viola for the first time in high school, and it was love at first bow stroke. Melissa obtained a DEC in music (piano) from Vanier College, and later a B.Ed (concentration in music) from McGill University. She currently teaches music at Forest Hill Senior in St.Lazare, and also teaches piano lessons from her private studio in Rigaud. Melissa is a dedicated chorister, and currently sings with the Stewart Hall Singers in Pointe Claire as an alto.
Sarah Loud
Sarah loves music and enjoys playing several instruments. She began playing piano at 4 years old and recently passed the Grade 8 RCM exam. She plays keyboard on a youth worship team at church. In high school, Sarah started playing the flute. Having always loved the violin, she began taking lessons with Judy Hung and joined VSYSO last year. Sarah also loves the outdoors, animals and reading books.
Emma Song
My name is Emma, and I’m 12 years old. I have a passion for anything related to art, and I love playing the cello. My favorite musician is Bach.
Amélie Tao
Hi! My name is Amelie. I’m 7 years old and in Grade 2. I started playing the violin when I was 4 and a half, and my violin teacher is Emily Redhead. I love music—sometimes it feels like everything I hear turns into musical notes in my head! When I’m not playing the violin, I like to read books, draw, and go ice skating. This is my first year with OSJVS, and I’m really excited to make music with so many talented musicians!
Bilig Cheng
Bilig is 9 years old. He began to study the cello at age seven at UQAM. Then he continued his cello studies with Olga Mizyuk who developed his performance skills and the understanding of musical works. He is happy to have the chance to play with other musicians together in OSJVS. Bilig is also an insect lover and a judo player.
Juliette
From the region, Juliette has been playing the flute since she was 8 years old. She participated in activities with the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Youth Symphony Orchestra for four years before joining the orchestra. What she loves: playing with other musicians and broadening her musical horizons.