FIESTA SINFÓNICA
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025
Land
Acknowledgement
We at The Rose Brampton acknowledge that our work takes place on the Treaty Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and before them, the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Huron, and Wendat. We also acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and other global Indigenous Peoples that now call Brampton home. People come from all over the world to live in Brampton, and we think that this diversity is what makes our city such a special place. We are grateful to live on, to work on, and to enjoy this land.
A Message from the Conductor
Latin American music is as varied as the landscapes and cultures from which it springs. In Fiesta Sinfónica, we are pleased to share a lively selection of orchestral works spanning the Americas. From the elegance of a Mexican danzón to the fire of Argentine tango, this concert offers a glimpse into the many sounds that captivate listeners worldwide.
Today, we are especially delighted to return to Brampton for our fourth consecutive year. Performing for a community as diverse and vibrant as Brampton is always a pleasure. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra tours the world, and Brampton is an important part of our world. During our time here, our musicians have had the pleasure of supporting the Rosebuds Youth Orchestra through coaching sessions, sharing their experience and fostering a love of music with the next generation of performers.
As the lights go down and Fiesta Sinfónica begins, I hope you're ready to experience the rhythms, melodies, and colours that have inspired audiences around the world. Feel free to tap your feet, dance, or sing along as the music carries you across the continents. Enjoy!
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador
If you enjoyed today's concert, please join us again at Roy Thomson Hall. There’s something for everyone with your TSO!
Home Alone in Concert Thu, Dec 4–Sun, Dec 7, 2025
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons Thu, Jan 8–Sat, Jan 10, 2026
Revolution: The Music of The Beatles Wed, Mar 4–Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Discover these concerts—and many more—at TSO.CA.
Fiesta Sinfónica
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, October 25, 2025
2:00pm
This concert is about one-hour long with no intermission.
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conductor & co-host
Monica Guzman
vocalist & co-host
Ah Young Kim violin
Abanico Dance dancers
Program
Meet the Performers
Arturo Márquez
Danzón No. 2
Gabriela Lena Frank
Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout: IV. Chasqui
Zequinha de Abreu/arr. Trudel, add. arr. Lau
Tico-Tico no Fubá
Astor Piazzolla/arr. Desyatnikov
The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Verano Porteño (Summer)
Elías Mauricio Soto/arr. Gonzales
Brisas del Pamplonita
Daniel Alomía Robles/arr. Gonzales
El Cóndor Pasa
Celia Cruz/arr. Arr. José Sibaja, Ed. Lopez-Yañez: "La Vida Es Un Carnaval"
Eugenio Toussaint:
Popurrí "Pérez Prado” ("Qué rico mambo", "Mambo No. 5", "Mambo No. 8")
Monica Guzman
vocalist & co-host
Monica Guzman is a Toronto-born vocalist and performer of Salvadoran descent who has established herself as a prominent figure in the city’s Latin music scene. She began her professional music career at the age of 15, recording with internationally acclaimed producer Juan Diego De Sedas. Over the years, Monica has shared the stage with renowned international artists, including Peruvian salsa sensation Yahaira Plasencia, produced by the legendary Sergio George, and has performed as a lead vocalist with the iconic Colombian cumbia orchestra, La Internacional Sonora Dinamita. Throughout her career, Monica has continued to lead numerous Latin bands across Toronto, earning recognition as one of the top female vocalists in the city’s vibrant Latin music community.
Ah Young Kim violin
Ah Young Kim was born in Daejeon, Korea, and started studying violin and piano at the age of 4. She was accepted into the prestigious Academy at the Daejeon Arts Centre and made her professional debut at the age of 15, performing Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole with the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra. During her time at Daejeon Arts High School, she served as concertmaster. After graduating, Kim moved to Canada to continue her studies at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto, where she completed both a Bachelor’s Degree and an Artist Diploma. Prior to her appointment at the TSO, she was a tenured violinist with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec.
Abanico Dance & Entertainment dancers
Abanico Dance & Entertainment, an award-winning dance studio, is a leading force in Latin and ballroom dance. With an exceptional faculty, Abanico specializes in salsa and bachata, offering world-class instruction for dancers of all ages and levels—from social dancers to competitive performers.
Beyond the studio, Abanico is a true community hub with a renowned commercial dance program and an award-winning performance company. Abanico's vibrant performance company brings the energy of Latin dance to stages and festivals across the city, including Salsa on St. Clair, Latin Sparks Toronto and Brampton Heritage Latin Fest. On a given Friday night, you can find Abanico Dance entertaining at Lula Lounge, the most popular live Latin music venue in Toronto, sharing the stage with incredible bands such as Salseros with Attitude, Adis Rodriguez and Cafe Cubano. To learn more, visit abanicodance.com.
Adri (Adriana) Chavez dancer
Adri Chavez is a versatile Ecuadorian-born dancer based in Toronto. She began her career in Ballroom, earning titles such as Ecuadorian Latin Champion and Pan-American Runner-up. She holds a Minor in Performing Arts (Dance) from San Francisco de Quito University and trained at Boston University. Adri's Latin roots, combined with her international training in various dance techniques, have enabled her to develop a unique and dynamic Latin Fusion Style. Her career highlights include performances at TIFF's "Weird Al Yankovic Story" World Premiere, Coachella, Latin Sparks Festival, Paramount & #Paid Pink Ladies Flash Mob, and concerts with artists such as Deborah Cox and Ryan Castro. She has also appeared in music videos for Natasha Heschchel, Roman King, and Alessa Ray, as well as international TV productions.
Adri's artistry blends her Latin roots with commercial and urban influences, creating a dynamic and captivating performance style that has taken her across North and South America.
Arturo Coye dancer
Arturo Coye is a professional dancer and choreographer from Mexico, now based in Toronto, with over 12 years of experience captivating audiences through movement. Specializing in salsa, bachata, Afro-Cuban, and urban styles, Arturo’s passion and precision have earned him five championship titles, solidifying his reputation as a standout figure in the Latin dance scene.
Arturo’s training is rooted in excellence, having studied under renowned international artists including Willy Arey (Rumballet), Ivan Valdespino (Cuban Folklore), Victor Hugo Perez (Showmanship & Stage Presence), Angelo Ritto (Musicality & Instrument Interpretation), and Edmundo Crotte (Pachanga & Mambo).
His career highlights include performances alongside celebrated urban and salsa artists such as Maelo Ruiz, Alberto Barros, and Farruko. Arturo has also choreographed and performed for top hotel chains across Los Cabos and Mexico, including Barcelo Gran Faro, Royal Decameron, Fiesta Americana, Riu Palace, and Paradisus.
For Arturo, dance is more than an art form – it’s a way of life and a language of freedom. Every movement is a message, expressing emotion, energy, and authenticity beyond words. Driven by discipline, consistency, and a deep love for dance, Arturo continues to grow his craft and share his talent on stages both national and international.
Gustavo Gimeno MUSIC DIRECTOR
VIOLINS
Jonathan Crow CONCERTMASTER
Tom Beck
Concertmaster Chair
Matthew Hakkarainen
Clare Semes+
ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTERS
Marc-André Savoie
Luri Lee
ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTERS
Eri Kosaka
PRINCIPAL, SECOND VIOLIN
Kun Yan
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, SECOND VIOLIN
Atis Bankas
Yolanda Bruno+
Christina (Jung Yun) Choi*
Sydney Chun*
Amanda Goodburn
Bridget Hunt
Ah Young Kim
Shane Kim*
Douglas Kwon
Erica Miller
Sergei Nikonov
Peter Seminovs
Jennifer Thompson
Angelique Toews
James Wallenberg
Virginia Chen Wells
VIOLAS
Rémi Pelletier PRINCIPAL
Theresa Rudolph ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Diane Leung
ACTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Ashley Vandiver+
Ivan Ivanovich*
Gary Labovitz
Hezekiah Leung
Mary Carol Nugent
Christopher Redfield
Evalynn Tyros
CELLOS
Joseph Johnson PRINCIPAL
Principal Cello Chair
supported by Dr. Armand Hammer
Emmanuelle Beaulieu
Bergeron
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Winona Zelenka
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Alastair Eng*+
Igor Gefter
Roberta Janzen
Song Hee Lee
Oleksander Mycyk
Lucia Ticho
DOUBLE BASSES
Jeffrey Beecher PRINCIPAL
Michael Chiarello
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Theodore Chan
Jesse Dale
Christopher Laven
Mark Lillie
FLUTES
Kelly Zimba Lukić PRINCIPAL
Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee
Principal Flute Chair
Kayla Burggraf
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Leonie Wall
Camille Watts
PICCOLO
Camille Watts
Supported by Cathy Beck and Laurence Rubin
OBOES
Sarah Jeffrey* PRINCIPAL
Cathy & Liddy Beck
Principal Oboe Chair
Evan Yonce
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Hugo Lee*
ENGLISH HORN
Cary Ebli
CLARINETS
Eric Abramovitz
PRINCIPAL
Sheryl L. and David W. Kerr
Principal Clarinet Chair
Zhenyu (Johnny) Wang
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Miles Haskins
Joseph Orlowski
BASS CLARINET
Miles Haskins
BASSOONS
Marlene Ngalissamy PRINCIPAL
Nicolas Richard ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Samuel Banks
Fraser Jackson
CONTRABASSOON
Fraser Jackson
HORNS
Neil Deland
PRINCIPAL
Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee
Principal Horn Chair
Christopher Gongos
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Audrey Good
Nicholas Hartman
Gabriel Radford*
TRUMPETS
Steven Woomert*
PRINCIPAL
Renata Cardoso
James Gardiner*
TROMBONES
Gordon Wolfe
PRINCIPAL
Vanessa Fralick*
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
TUBA
Mark Tetreault
PRINCIPAL
TIMPANI
David Kent
PRINCIPAL
Joseph Kelly
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
PERCUSSION
Charles Settle
PRINCIPAL
Nicholas Matthiesen
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Joseph Kelly
HARP
Heidi Elise Bearcroft
PRINCIPAL
GUEST MUSICIANS
Sienna Cho
VIOLIN
Bora Kim
VIOLIN
Lance Ouellette
VIOLA
Megan Hodge
BASS TROMBONE
Talisa Blackman
KEYBOARD
Andrew Harper
LIBRARIAN
Meaghan McCracken
LIBRARIAN
LIBRARIAN
Michael Macaulay PRINCIPAL
PERSONNEL MANAGER
David Kent
+on leave
*Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra alumni
The TSO acknowledges Mary Beck as the Musicians’ Patron in perpetuity for her generous and longstanding support.
Sir Andrew Davis
CONDUCTOR LAUREATE— IN MEMORIAM
Peter Oundjian
CONDUCTOR EMERITUS
Steven Reineke
PRINCIPAL POPS
CONDUCTOR
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
BARRETT PRINCIPAL
EDUCATION CONDUCTOR & COMMUNITY
AMBASSADOR
Nicholas Sharma
RBC RESIDENT CONDUCTOR & TSYO CONDUCTOR
generously supported by the Toronto Symphony
Volunteer Committee
Emilie LeBel
COMPOSER ADVISOR
Liam Ritz
RBC AFFILIATE COMPOSER
Save 50% off 2025/26 concerts!
Thank you for attending today’s Fiesta Sinfónica concert!
To show our appreciation, we would like to offer you 50% off Masterworks evenings, Pops evenings, and Young People’s Concerts in the 2025/26 season.
Not sure what to see next? Here are
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Nov 27–30
She’s Got Soul May 6 & 7 Join us again, at Roy Thomson Hall!
Redeem your 50% discount now by entering the promo code BRAMPTON50 online by November 9, 2025
*Offer only valid for 2025/26 season Masterworks evenings, Pops evenings, and Young People’s Concerts at Roy Thomson Hall, when using promo code BRAMPTON50, and when ordered by Nov 9, 2025 at 11:59pm. Offer not valid on previously purchased tickets or in combination with other offers or promotions. No refunds, exchanges (at the sale price), or cancellations. Seating at the discretion of the TSO. For accessible-seating requests, please contact Patron Services before 5pm Nov 7 at 416.598.3375.
Capathia Jenkins lead vocalist
Gustavo Gimeno music director & maestro