Love and Loss is a musical journey of the excitement, pain, and human capacity to love. You cannot lose unless you have loved. Join Amanda Hillestad and Eileen Kosasih as they explore vulnerability shared through the music of Schubert, Strauss, Rossini, Head, and Mozart.
Eileen Kosasih is a multifaceted visual artist, musician, presenter, and whiskey specialist based in Calgary, Canada. What underpins her creative output is a strong belief that music and art can and should be learned/appreciated at the same time.
Eileen’s arts education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Music in Violin Performance from Ambrose University, pre-collegiate piano diploma from the American College of Musicians, Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Azusa Pacific University, and Master of Art in Fine and Decorative Art and Design from Sotheby’s Institute of Art New York. She has attended the Summer Chamber Music Program at the Curtis Institute, Summer Conducting Program at Queens University (New York), and holds Level III Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (London).
Eileen actively programs and leads art and music workshops around Alberta and BC. As workshop programmer and facilitator for the Instrumental Society Calgary’s “Art + Music Friends” at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the string teacher for Alberta Clinic Line, and speaker for local art, music, and design panels, she shares her passion with diverse audiences. Eileen has been Guest Artist for the Banff Centre’s Youth Orchestra Symposium, Calgary Board of Education schools, Montessori schools, PhilKids (the CPO’s education program) and Mount Royal Conservatory programs. Her art has been represented by galleries such as Apik Fine Art, Motion Gallery, and Art Spot. As a whiskey specialist, Eileen hosts tastings for local businesses and events as well as for her private whiskey club.
In addition to founding and conducting Calgary Arts Orchestra (2014-2015), Eileen has programmed concert series at the Cranbrook History Centre, the King Eddy at the National Music Centre, and for Classical Revolution Calgary. Her practical work spans Principal Pianist for the Calgary Boys’ Choir, Resident Accompanist for Out of the Blue Choir, and Accompanist for Mount Royal Conservatory students. Eileen’s string positions extend to Principal Second Violin for the Symphony of the Kootenays and Concertmaster for the St. David’s United Orchestra. As an active freelance performer, she has contributed to the local music scene via many organizations.
Amanda Hillestad is a graduate of McGill University’s Classical Voice Performance program, and has performed in a variety of settings including performances at the Banff Centre and the Taylor Centre for Performing Arts. Amanda sings with Luminous Voices under the direction of Tim Shantz and is thrilled to be touring with them in May, 2026. She has also performed in the Mountain View Chamber Music Festival and the Recital Series. In addition, Amanda has performed in excerpts and roles with McGill Opera and McGill Opera Scenes, including as the Sandman and Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel, and as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte with the McGill Opera Excerpts program. She performed a recital with pianist Gavin Caldwell, as well as a recital at the King Eddy. She has worked with Opera Nuova, where she toured as Mrs. Henceforth and Telerina in Isaiah Bell’s Mr. Moreover’s Magic. Her performance history extends to collaborations with the Calgary Arts Orchestra, VoiceScapes, Classical Revolution Calgary, the Bach Society, Cowtown Opera, Early Music Voices, the Mountain View International Song and Chamber Music Festival, and Spiritus Chamber Choir. Amanda is the director of the Spirit Vocal Ensemble and is the Choral and Vocal Director at Central Memorial High School’s Performing and Visual Arts Program, the Past President of the Southern Alberta National Association for Teachers of Singing, enjoys working with Choir Alberta on various panels and is a freelance musician.