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About Phoenix Orchestra

Aug 19
5 min read

Angel Wang

Founder & Artistic Director, Phoenix Orchestra


Angel Wang began studying the violin at an early age under the guidance of several distinguished teachers. She won numerous awards in music competitions and later served as a first violinist with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra. She subsequently moved to Canada to pursue advanced studies at The Royal Conservatory of Music and The Glenn Gould School, graduating with outstanding results and later joining the faculty as an instructor.

In addition to teaching at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Angel has collaborated with a number of local orchestras, opera companies, and production organizations, including the Royal Opera House Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Oshawa Symphony Orchestra, and Mirvish Productions. She served as a resident violinist for Mirvish’s production of The Sound of Music at the Princess of Wales Theatre and has also served as concertmaster for the Brampton opera orchestra. She has been an adjudicator for the Kiwanis Music Festival, one of Canada’s major classical music competitions, and has participated in recording projects for several Toronto-based recording and production companies.

As an accomplished violinist and professional educator, Angel believes that preserving Chinese music and promoting the cultural heritage of her homeland are important responsibilities for Chinese artists living abroad. In 2016, she led her team in founding the Phoenix Orchestra, serving as its Artistic Director and violin soloist.

In 2017 and 2018, Angel Wang successfully presented two editions of the Angels Musical Journey concert series: “Vienna to Beijing to Hollywood” and “Bach – Beijing – Broadway.” Both concerts created tremendous excitement in the city. World-class music resounded in prestigious concert halls, offering audiences an exceptional musical experience of the highest standard. The concerts brought Eastern and Western arts together in a passionate cultural encounter, enhanced by spectacular stage and lighting designs.

On September 17, 2022, the Phoenix Orchestra presented the “Winter Waltz Concert” at Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, The Royal Conservatory of Music, one of Canada’s most prestigious concert venues. The performance received an enthusiastic response from the audience.

In 2023, the Phoenix Orchestra presented the symphonic concert “Phoenix Rising,” featuring the world premiere of the title work composed by Chinese-Canadian composer Alice Ping Yee Ho.

In 2025, the orchestra released its first chamber music CD, Phoenix Rising , which received high praise from internationally recognized music critics and media. In the same year, the orchestra presented the symphonic concert “German & Italian Inspirations · Butterfly Dreams · Tango,” showcasing the beauty of cultural fusion through new repertoire and innovative forms of performance.


CLAUDIO VENA

Conductor / Arranger / Violist


Award-winning composer and conductor Claudio Vena has enjoyed a diverse and wide-ranging musical career in Canada.

As a composer for film and television, he has written scores for several feature films, including The Silver Man, starring Eugene Levy and Joe Pantoliano, as well as Boy Meets Girl and Only You. His documentary work includes music and arrangements for the award-winning Toronto 24 Hours and Johnny Lombardi: The Great Communicator.

From 2001 to 2005, his music was heard daily as background music on CBC Television news programs including The National, Canada Now, and major network news broadcasts. He has also composed commercial music for Telus and Chrysler in the Canadian market, as well as music for the CBF radio drama The Wanderer.

In 2010, Claudio composed original music for two theatrical productions. He created the score for Canadian Stage’s production of Romeo and Juliet. He also composed original music for Peter Pan at the internationally renowned Stratford Festival, where the production enjoyed a highly acclaimed seven-month run.

In 2008, Claudio composed music for Stratford’s production of Hamlet, directed by Adrian Noble.

As a conductor, Claudio recorded the CD Ricordi d’Italia , a collection of Italian art songs, with Metropolitan Opera tenor Louis Quilico. He has served as conductor and Music Director of the Huronia Symphony Orchestra, Hart House Strings, and Hart House Winds. In addition, he has served as Assistant Conductor of the Hart House Orchestra and of the Toronto production of Miss Saigon.

Since 2016, Claudio has served as conductor and arranger for the orchestra of the Canadian Chinese Arts Association. He has also performed as a violist with the Canadian Chinese Arts Association Quartet in Beijing and as an accordionist with the Canadian Chinese Arts Association Orchestra.


About Phoenix Orchestra

The Royal Conservatory of Music is one of the world’s renowned music institutions and has educated generations of distinguished musicians, performing artists, and educators.

Built around prominent musicians associated with The Royal Conservatory of Music, the Phoenix Orchestra brings together some of Canada’s finest professional musicians and represents an outstanding ensemble within the Canadian music community.

The Phoenix Orchestra features a remarkable roster of distinguished artists. Its conductor and arranger is internationally acclaimed composer and conductor Claudio Vena, a recipient of the prestigious Gemini Award.

One of the orchestra’s concertmasters is internationally renowned violinist Barry Shiffman, who also serves in a senior leadership position at The Royal Conservatory of Music. The orchestra’s principal cellist is Paul Widner of the Royal Opera.

The Phoenix Orchestra has performed on numerous occasions throughout North America and has received high praise from audiences and communities.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have both sent congratulatory messages to the orchestra on the occasion of its performances.

In May 2019, the Phoenix Orchestra was invited to participate in the 19th Meet in Beijing International Arts Festival.

The Meet in Beijing International Arts Festival is a major national-level international arts festival presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, and the National Radio and Television Administration, and organized by the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the relevant cultural authorities in Beijing.

The Phoenix Orchestra was the only ensemble representing Canada at that edition of the festival and appeared as an official participating performing group.

On September 17, 2022, the Phoenix Orchestra presented the “Winter Waltz Concert” at Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, The Royal Conservatory of Music, one of Canada’s premier concert venues. The performance received an enthusiastic response from the audience.

In 2023, the Phoenix Orchestra presented the symphonic concert “Phoenix Rising,” featuring the world premiere of the work of the same name by Chinese-Canadian composer Alice Ping Yee Ho.

In 2025, the Phoenix Orchestra released its first chamber music CD, Phoenix Rising , which received high praise from internationally renowned music critics and media.

Also in 2025, the Phoenix Orchestra presented the symphonic concert “Berlin · Butterfly· Brazil,” showcasing the charm and richness of cultural exchange through fresh repertoire and innovative forms of performance.













 
 
 

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