Violinist Matthew Hakkarainen assumes the role, while Evalynn Tyros and Hezekiah Leung join the viola section
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has confirmed tenure for a number of its newly appointed musicians. These include associate concertmaster, Matthew Hakkarainen, as well as violists Evalynn Tyros and Hezekiah Leung.
Additionally, the orchestra confirmed tenure for principal bassoon Marlène Ngalissamy and assistant principal percussion Nick Matthiesen.
Hakkarainen joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as associate concertmaster during the 2025-26 season. Hailing from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Hakkarainen completed his musical studies at the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School with Pamela Frank, Sylvia Rosenberg and Ronald Copes. He is an alumnus of the Rebanks Fellowship Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School.
He was the first American violinist to win first prize at the Premio Rodolfo Lipizer International Violin Competition in 2018. He is a laureate of the Stuttgart, Mirecourt, Wajnberg and Ysaÿe International Competitions, and he also won the Prix Ravel, Adelphi Orchestra Young Artist Competition, Aspen Music Festival Violin Competition and New World Symphony Concerto Competition.
He has performed as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician across the US and Europe. Prior to his role at the TSO, Hakkarainen served as concertmaster of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and Juilliard Orchestra and as associate concertmaster of Symphony in C. He also appeared as a frequent substitute violinist with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
Evalynn Tyros, a violist from Montreal, previously played with L’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and the New World Symphony Orchestra. Hezekiah Leung was a founding member of the award-winning Rolston Quartet, and served as violist of the Dover Quartet during its 2022-23 season.
No comments yet