The Glenn Gould School (GGS) is thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of three artists from the
Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Performance Residency Program. Current Rebanks Fellow
Matthew Hakkarainen, alumna
Luri Lee, and alumnus
Hezekiah Leung have recently been appointed to new positions with the
Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), continuing the program’s strong track record of shaping and launching the careers of outstanding orchestral musicians.
Matthew Hakkarainen will become
Associate Concertmaster of the TSO beginning September 2025. He has quickly gained international recognition, earning second prize at the 2024 Mieczysław Wajnberg International Violin Competition and sharing first prize at the 2023 Prix Ravel at the Conservatoire Américain de Fontainebleau. He is also among the 45 violinists invited to compete in this month’s prestigious
International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki. His appointment is a testament to his exceptional artistry, focus, and versatility.
Luri Lee, a 2013–14 Rebanks Fellow and graduate of the Artist Diploma Program at GGS, has been promoted to
Assistant Concertmaster after winning an audition in the fall of 2024 and she has been serving in this position since January of this year. Luri has a deep association with
The Royal Conservatory as a
Taylor Academy alumna, and now
faculty member at both The Glenn Gould School and The Taylor Academy. As a founding member of the Rolston String Quartet, she has earned such honours as First Prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Cleveland Quartet Award.
Also joining the TSO is Hezekiah Leung, a 2020–21 Rebanks Fellow, graduate of the Artist Diploma Program at GGS and current
faculty member at The Taylor Academy. Hezekiah has just been appointed to the
Section Viola of the orchestra. A dedicated chamber musician and seasoned orchestral player, Hezekiah’s musical contributions are well known both on stage and in the studio; he is also a founding member of the Rolston String Quartet with Luri Lee.
Gustavo Gimeno, Music Director of the TSO shared his admiration for all three artists:
“Something in common between Matt, Luri, and Hezekiah is that they are all amazing musicians. They receive much respect and admiration from their peers, not only because they are excellent players, but because they bring something emotionally and socially to the section. They are great assets to the orchestra, and I look forward to working with them.”
Jonathan Crow, TSO Concertmaster, added:
“I’m thrilled to have both Luri and Matthew join the TSO in prominent leadership positions and can’t wait to have them as colleagues in the First Violin section. Luri and Matthew are among the finest young musicians I have come across in years. The appointment of Hezekiah to the viola section is equally exciting and I look forward to welcoming him. Toronto and the TSO are lucky to have these three exceptional young musicians!”
These appointments highlight the strength of the Rebanks Family Fellowship Program in developing the next generation of musical leaders. The new appointees are the latest GGS alumni to join the TSO, following
Christina (Jung Yun) Choi (violin) and
Ah Young Kim (violin) who joined in the 2023-24 season.
The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School and Taylor Academy are proud to see all these wonderful artists continuing to excel. We look forward to following their careers as they make a significant impact in their new roles with the TSO.