Get ready to be inspired by the future of classical music at this special showcase of six outstanding young performers — winners and runners-up of the Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition!
Featuring: Dallevin Lapaire, (winner, piano); Bowen Li (winner, violin); Sophie Ryskine (viola) Josephine Wen (violin), Ian Quon (1st runner-up, piano), Alysse Li (3rd runner-up, violin), & Mateo Barcan (4th runner-up, cello).
About The Civic:
The Calgary Civic Symphony was founded in 1976 and has been serving the Calgary community for nearly 50 years!
Conducted by our acclaimed music director, Rolf Bertsch, The Civic is fortunate to engage superb musicians from all career paths and walks of life. Our concert season includes five performances that are held on Sunday afternoons at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, including the annual Rising Stars performance, which provides opportunities for winners of the annual Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition (RC3) to perform with the orchestra.
The Civic’s blend of community and high-calibre performances creates a unique and accessible destination for Calgarian art and culture at an affordable price.
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About The Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition:
Since 1981, this competition has provided a platform for the best young classical musicians in Calgary, aged 18 and under, to demonstrate their skills, celebrating and supporting the next generation of classical music talent in the community.
The winners of the competition are given the unique chance to collaborate with the Calgary Civic Symphony in its annual Rising Stars concert at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Rehearsing and performing with a symphony orchestra is an invaluable experience for young musicians, as it allows them to refine their skills and learn from seasoned professionals, and gain exposure to the world of professional classical music.
THE ARTISTS
Dallevin Lapaire
Dallevin Lapaire is a pianist from Cranbrook, British Columbia, who began studying piano at the age of four. He commutes regularly to Calgary to study with Dr. Jani Parsons and also studies under Cara Webb. Dallevin has received numerous awards at the local and provincial levels, including the inaugural Margaret Westrup Scholarship at the 2025 East Kootenay Performing Arts Festival. He has been nominated multiple times to the Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival and was named first runner-up in the Junior Canadian Piano Class in 2023.
Recent honours include the Senior Piano Prize at the 2025 Wendy Guimont Memorial Piano Competition, Advanced Level Top Provincial Winner in the 2025 BC Kawai Piano Stars Competition, and First Class Honours with Distinction on his Royal Conservatory of Music Level 10 examination.
An active performer, Dallevin has appeared as a soloist with the Symphony of the Kootenays, performing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 13 in 2024. His 2026 Rising Stars Performance with the Calgary Civic Symphony will feature a cadenza he composed himself.
In addition to his classical studies, Dallevin is an active jazz musician, performing in school ensembles and a jazz trio while developing skills in composition and improvisation. He is also a sought-after collaborative pianist. Outside of music, he is involved in training German Shepherds through the K9 Utility Working Dog Club of Cranbrook.
Bowen Li
Bowen Li began his musical studies at the age of five and currently studies with Diana Cohen, Concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a scholarship recipient at the Mount Royal University Academy for Young Artists.
An avid chamber musician, Bowen and his ensemble have received top prizes at the Lancaster International Piano and Chamber Music Festival in both 2023 and 2024. He has participated in festivals including the 2024 Canadian Music Competition Gathering of the Stars and the 2026 Young Performers Program at the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival.
Bowen has performed in masterclasses for artists including Timothy Chooi, Robert Uchida, William van der Sloot, Maria van der Sloot, Ian Swensen, Gwen Hoebig, Annalee Patipatanakoon, Jamie Parker, Jonathan Crow, Kai Gleusteen, and Gerardo Ribeiro.
Bowen is a prizewinner in numerous competitions, including first place in the Canadian Music Competition (2021 and 2023, strings), first place in the 2024 ARMTA Provincial Competition (junior strings), and first place in the 2025 Alberta Provincial Festival (upper strings, age 15 and under). He was also awarded top prize among all age groups in the strings category at the 2025 Calgary Performing Arts Festival.
Sophie Ryskine
Sophie Ryskine is a Canadian violist currently studying in the Advanced Performance Program at the Mount Royal Conservatory under the tutelage of Christopher Sandvoss. She serves as Principal Viola of the Calgary Youth Orchestra (CYO) and has also held the position of Principal Viola with the University of Calgary Orchestra, performing repertoire such as Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier and Vincent Ho’s The Shaman. A recent highlight includes serving as Assistant Principal Viola in a collaborative performance with the CYO and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
As a dedicated chamber musician, Sophie has performed in residencies and collaborated with distinguished ensembles including the New Orford String Quartet, the Land’s End Ensemble, and the Uchida-Crozman-Chiu Trio. She has a strong interest in contemporary music and has worked with composers Allan Gordon Bell, Vincent Ho, and Colleen Athparia on world premieres.
Sophie has performed in masterclasses for violists including Barry Shiffman, Philip Ying, Sharon Wei, Mark Holloway, and Asbjørn Nørgaard. She has attended festivals such as the Chisel Creek Classical Summer Festival and the Ottawa Summer Strings Academy, and is also active as a mentor, working as a chamber coach with the Mount Royal Conservatory Academy and Mount Royal Summer String Intensive.
Sophie is a two-time third-place laureate of the CYO Frank Simpson Concerto Competition and a multi-year recipient of the Conservatory Young Artist Grant, generously supported by the Marvin Hamlisch Musical Scholarship, the Jack and Patsy Steen Award, and the Beth Tzedec and Three Cantors scholarships. In fall 2026, she will begin a Bachelor of Music at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, studying with Steven Dann. Sophie performs on a viola crafted by her teacher, luthier Christopher Sandvoss.
Josephine Wen
Josephine Wen began her musical studies at the age of three. She has studied for several years with William van der Sloot and Maria van der Sloot in the Advanced Performance Program at the Mount Royal Conservatory, where she has performed in masterclasses for internationally-renowned artists including James Ehnes, Jonathan Crow, and Timothy Chooi.
Josephine is the first prize winner of the 2023 CYO Frank Simpson Concerto Competition, through which she made her solo debut with the Calgary Youth Orchestra performing the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64. She was again featured as a soloist in the 2024–2025 season, performing ‘Tango’ Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel. Additional honours include runner-up in the 2023 Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition and finalist in the 2026 RBC Calgary Philharmonic Concerto Competition.
A versatile musician, Josephine has achieved Level 10 piano with the Royal Conservatory of Music and is an active percussionist with the Western Canada High School Wind Ensemble, where she has been featured as a soloist on both violin and piano. She is the recipient of the ensemble’s Outstanding Rhythm Student Award for two consecutive years. In addition to her performing, Josephine maintains a private studio, teaching advanced violin and piano students in her community.
In fall 2026, Josephine will begin a Bachelor of Music Performance (Honours) at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she will study with Min-Jeong Koh.
1st RUNNER UP: Ian Quon, 12 years old
Ian Quon studies piano with Dr. Jani Parsons. Through consistent dedication and a genuine love of music, Ian has steadily developed as a young musician, gaining meaningful performance experience in a variety of settings.
Ian has participated in several regional, national, and international competitions. In July 2025, he competed in the Canadian Music Competition (ages 11–14), where he was awarded Second Place. He also received First Place at the Alberta Provincial Music Festival in both 2024 and 2025. Ian has competed twice in the Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition, earning runner-up recognition in 2025 and, most recently, First Runner-Up in 2026.
At the age of 10, Ian made his orchestral debut with the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488. In 2023, he made his Carnegie Hall debut as the winner of the Canada Steinway Piano Competition.
Alongside his performance achievements, Ian has worked diligently toward his academic music goals. In 2023, he received Gold Medals from the Royal Conservatory of Music in both Piano and Speech Arts & Drama. In 2025, he completed his RCM Level 10 Piano examination, earning First Class Honours with Distinction.
In addition to piano, Ian plays alto saxophone in his school band. Outside of music, he enjoys reading, badminton, skiing, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. With curiosity, perseverance, and a balanced approach to learning, Ian continues to grow as both a musician and a student.
3rd RUNNER UP: Alysse Li, 13 years old
Alysse Li is started playing violin when she was 6 years old and developed a deep passion for it. She studies violin at the Mount Royal University Academy program in Calgary and has been coached by many outstanding violinists such as Ms. Maria Van Der Sloot, Ms. Barb McDougall, and Mr. Eric Auerbach from whom she has learned a lot. During her musical journey, she has won several awards and scholarships in BC and in AB. Beyond the stage, Alysse enjoys rock climbing and speaking French.
4th RUNNER UP: Mateo Barcan, 18 years old
Mateo Barcan is a cellist born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He began studying the cello at the age of five with Morag Northey and has since continued his studies with John Kadz. Since 2023, Mateo has been a member of the Academy and Advanced Performance Program at the Mount Royal Conservatory, where he has participated in masterclasses with artists such as Brannon Cho, Tommy Mesa, Joseph Johnson, Elinor Frey, Brian Manker, Darrett Adkins, Daniel Hamin-Go, and Cameron Crozman. Through the Academy, he has also collaborated with the Land’s End Ensemble and violinist Kai Gleusteen.
Mateo has been a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, where he has served as Principal Cellist for multiple performances. He has attended summer programs including QuartetFest West in Victoria and Amici StringFest, and will attend Orford Musique in 2026. In fall 2026, Mateo will begin a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance at the University of Ottawa, studying with Paul Marleyn.
Outside of music, Mateo enjoys practicing Muay Thai and spending time with his dog.
Todays concert is a proud Calgary Arts Community Co-Presentation with:
