Thyme Shi, Saxophone

& Vivian Kwok, piano

"Originally hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Thyme Shi is an active performer, composer, and educator currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Applied Music Technology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia. Thyme has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in venues across Western Canada and in masterclasses for internationally acclaimed saxophonists including Claude Delangle, Tak Chiu Wong, Jennifer Bill, and Wallace Halladay. She is an ardent advocate for new music by living composers, commissioning new and dynamic works from composers as both a soloist and chamber musician. Recent performance activities include a recital as soprano saxophonist with the Calliope Quartet at the 20th World Saxophone Congress in Harbin, China, the presentation of a recital of premieres of new Canadian works as baritone saxophonist of the Orpheus Quartet, and a performance of Takashi Yoshimatsu's Cyber Bird Concerto as part of the St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church Concert Series. Thyme’s primary saxophone teachers include Julia Nolan, Jeremy Brown, and Holly DeCaigny."

"Hong Kong-born pianist, violinist, and composer Vivian Kwok (b.2000) is known for her versatility and involvement with new music across Canada. As a performer, Vivian has premiered over 50 works and collaborated with no fewer than 30 composers. Her most recent achievements include prizes from the Vancouver International Music Competition, the Canadian Music Competition, the Piano Scholarship Competition by the Vancouver Westcoast Music Society, and the University of Toronto Winds Concerto Competition. As a composer, she was named a winner of the Young Canadian Composer Awards by the SOCAN Foundation, as well as winner of the Edmonton Composers Competition by the Edmonton Pops Orchestra. Published by Éditions Plamondon, her music has been performed internationally by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, UofT Opera, Bedford Trio, Concreamus Chamber Choir, many emerging soloists, and herself. 

Vivian received her Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance and Composition) at the University of Toronto, studying with Jamie Parker and Abigail Richardson-Schulte. She is grateful to be awarded the W.O. Forsyth Graduating Scholarship in 2022. She then completed her Master of Music in piano at the University of British Columbia, studying with Corey Hamm. Currently, Vivian is a Vancouver-based artist who maintains a private teaching studio and continues to perform and compose for the concert hall."