TORONTO, ONTARIO – APRIL 24, 2024: The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO Canada) is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious 2024 Michael Measures Prizes, awarded in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts. Awarded to only two recipients, these prizes recognize and support the top talent nationwide of young classical musicians aged 16 to 24. 2024 Michael Measures Prizes Winners:
- First Place ($25,000): Arin Sarkissian, Flute (British Columbia)
- Second Place ($15,000): Andrew Busch, Percussion (Ontario)
Arin Sarkissian, Flute (First Prize)
Arin Sarkissian holds the position of Principal Flute with the Victoria Symphony. The Toronto born artist has made guest appearances at Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s La Virée Classique as the 1st Prize and Stingray Audience Choice winner at the 2020 OSM (Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal) Competition. Recent orchestral appearances include concerts with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, and Vancouver Symphony. Sarkissian holds a Bachelor of Music from Rice University and a Professional Studies Certificate from The Colburn School, studying with Leone Buyse and Jim Walker. Former mentors include Christina Yoo, Cynthia Kelly, and Lilit Hovhannisyan.
Andrew Busch, Percussion (Second Prize)
Andrew Busch’s versatility is showcased in his performances on both classical and marching percussion stages across North America and Europe. His achievements include first-prize wins in the 2018 National Music Festival of Canada and the 2020/21 Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition. He is currently the operations manager, co-founder, and active performer with the Kairos Percussion Quartet based in Toronto, Canada. Andrew recently completed his master’s degree at the University of Toronto under Aiyun Huang, Beverley Johnston, Charles Settle, John Rudolph, and Ryan Scott, and was the recipient of the Canada Graduate Scholarships – master’s Program award, and a University of Toronto Fellowship.
Celebrating Excellence
As Michael Measures Prizes winners, Arin and Andrew will receive significant financial awards and performance opportunities. Arin will be awarded $25,000 as the First Prize Winner and the opportunity to perform a concerto during NYO Canada’s upcoming tour. Andrew, the Second Prize winner, will receive $15,000 and additional performance and recital opportunities throughout the season.
A special concert will be held at Koerner Hall in Toronto on July 19th to celebrate Arin and Andrew’s achievements. The evening will feature the award presentation and a performance of Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Flute Concerto ‘Dances with the Winds’ by Arin.
“We are incredibly proud of Arin and Andrew,” states Christie Gray CEO of NYO Canada. “Their exceptional talent and dedication to their craft are truly inspiring. The Michael Measures Prizes play a vital role in recognizing and fostering excellence in the next generation of Canadian orchestral musicians, and these two remarkable young artists embody the program’s significance.”
Don’t miss your chance to hear Arin Sarkissian and the exceptional young musicians of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada live!
NYO Canada’s prestigious 2024 Horizons Tour brings virtuosic talents across the country for captivating programs featuring Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major. Witness Arin perform as he takes center stage with Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Flute Concerto ‘Dances with the Winds.’
Tour Dates:
• Thursday, July 18th – Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts – Kingston, ON
• Friday, July 19th – Koerner Hall – Toronto, ON*
• Saturday, July 20th – Stockey Centre – Parry Sound, ON
• Tuesday, July 23rd – Centennial Concert Hall – Winnipeg, MB *
• Thursday, July 25th – TCU Place – Saskatoon, SK
• Saturday, July 27th – Triffo Theatre – Edmonton, AB*
• Monday, July 29th – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity – Banff, AB*
• Wednesday, July 31st – Bella Concert Hall – Calgary, AB
* Marks concerts featuring the Michael Measures Prize concerto performance. For tickets and full tour details, visit nyoc.org/tickets/horizons-tour/
Experience the future of classical music with NYO Canada!
