Youth Programs

Bernice is a young musician from the Greater Toronto Area who has already made a strong impression in the music community. A student in the Strings Program at Port Credit Secondary School, she excels in violin, harp, and piano. From 2022 to 2025, she performed with the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra as both violinist and harpist, and in 2024–2025, she joined the Kindred Spirits Orchestra as harpist. Alongside performing, Bernice is passionate about composition, creating and arranging works that highlight each instrument’s expressive range. Her performances, whether solo or collaborative, reflect a storytelling depth that resonates with audiences.

Joanna Buczkowski is a Suzuki trained violin teacher who is passionate towards music education and the Suzuki method. Beginning violin at the age of four, Joanna started as a student with Oakville Suzuki Association. As she grew up in the Suzuki community, Joanna took group classes, music theory classes, and joined her local youth orchestra. Having experienced the ongoing sense of community, Joanna felt inspired to take the Teen Mentor “Practice Buddy” course to become a role model for the younger generation of musicians. This work lasted 11 years following training but by senior year of high school she also took on substitute teaching for OSA group classes and private lessons. In addition to her leadership experience, Joanna has also taken pleasure in performing in different atmospheres such as orchestra/chamber, with her quartet and her violin group. While already keeping busy with violin, Joanna decided to pick up the viola in her teen years after being asked by Jean Grieve due to a lack of violists in OSA’s summer camp one year. Realizing the potential of the viola, she continued to play and later on won the Young Artist Award and Hollier Award with Oakville Symphony Orchestra in 2017/2018. Post high school, Joanna decided to pursue another passion and went on to acquire her diploma in Culinary Management at George Brown College, class of 2020. While this was very fulfilling work, Joanna never stopped picking up her violin/viola and realized this very influential part of her life should have a stronger presence again. A few years into the culinary industry, Joanna was recruited by OSA to officially teach group classes. She has taken Suzuki violin teacher training units 1-3 among other Suzuki training courses and plans to continue her training to the furthest of her abilities while keeping active in the kitchen with her catering business.

Daisy is a 17-year-old cellist from Oakville, Ontario, with over eleven years of dedicated study and performance experience. She is currently preparing for her RCM Level 10 examination under the mentorship of Bryan Lu. Daisy has previously performed with the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra, where she developed strong orchestral skills and ensemble musicianship. She is also an active member of the string ensemble at Abbey Park High School, engaging in a broad and challenging repertoire.

Committed to continual artistic growth, Daisy combines disciplined practice with a passion for expressive performance. She aspires to pursue a professional career in music and values the opportunity to connect with audiences through her artistry. In addition to her musical pursuits, Daisy maintains a balance between her academic studies and personal interests, striving for excellence both as a musician and an individual. She is honored to be a member of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra and looks forward to contributing to the ensemble’s upcoming season.

Nyla Santos is a highly accomplished cellist with 12 years of dedicated experience. Currently working on her Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Level 10, she has demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment to her craft. Nyla’s passion for music ignited at a very young age and has only intensified over the years. She recently graduated from all 10 Suzuki Books, marking a significant milestone in her musical journey. She is eagerly looking forward to her future with the Oakville Symphony, where she hopes to continue growing as a musician.