The Royal Conservatory Welcomes Students from the Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme

The Glenn Gould School (GGS) is excited to welcome Alana Lynch and Harvey Jones, two talented oboists from the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, UK, as part of the The Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme. GGS and RAM are two of 12 prestigious global music education institutions that participate in the exchange annually to promote global mobility, cross-cultural experiences, and collaboration amongst exceptional young musicians.

It will be a full schedule from April 26-May 3 for Alana and Harvey as they jump right into rehearsals a day after landing in Toronto in preparation for the Taylor Academy’s annual Academy Chamber Orchestra concert later that evening in acclaimed Koerner Hall! The week highlights will also include coaching with acclaimed faculty including Sarah Jeffrey and a full week of rehearsals for The Glenn Gould School’s final Royal Conservatory Orchestra concert of the year on May 2, 2025, with conductor William Eddins and soloist Colin Mackey.


Heading over to London’s Royal Academy of Music in June will be two current Rebanks Fellows from GGS, vocalists McKenzie Warriner (soprano) and Matthew Li (bass). McKenzie and Matthew will participate in a two-week residency at RAM, culminating in a collaborative recital presentation of Schubert’s Schwanengesang on Friday, June 20^th at Regent Hall. The exchange will be curated by the Academy’s Head of Vocal Studies, Kate Paterson, and the concert project will be coached and curated by Richard Stokes.


We look forward to welcoming Alana and Harvey for a wonderful week of music and performance, and we wish McKenzie and Matthew luck in their adventure to London. The Sir Elton John Exchange Programme is supported by funding from the Royal Academy of Music, and we would like to thank the Royal Academy team for their continued friendship and support of our students!