Featured Performance
焦點表演
Islands in the Wind
風中的島嶼
Aug 29
8月29日
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
About the Program
Maestro Ken Hsieh and TAIWANfest Orchestra bring more than 40 local musicians to Harbourfront’s Concert Stage. A live music show presented by a diverse community of music artists to the diverse community of Toronto.
This year, in a Dialogue with Scotland and a collaboration with celebrated violinist Lynn Kuo, the orchestra presents a setlist inspired by a transoceanic voyage, from island to island. Discover Scottish classics and enjoy melodies from Taiwan in a musical dialogue.
Edmonton-born with Taiwanese parents, Maestro Ken Hsieh is a world-renowned conductor who has performed in top venues around the world; he is also the founder, music director, and principal conductor of the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. With his endless passion and compelling presence on the podium, Maestro Ken Hsieh has led the annual TAIWANfest Toronto Orchestra composed of dedicated local musicians since 2015.
Canadian violinist Dr. Lynn Kuo has captivated audiences around the world with her expressive playing and vibrant stage presence. For over 25 years, she has served as Assistant Concertmaster of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and has also appeared as guest concertmaster with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Newfoundland Symphony, Ontario Philharmonic, and other leading ensembles.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Lynn has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, with collaborations ranging from the Quebec Symphony, the Lviv Philharmonic (Ukraine), Hungary’s renowned Rajkó Band, and the Filharmonia Lubelska at the Psalms of David Festival (Poland). Equally at home with contemporary repertoire, she has premiered and recorded numerous new works across three continents and can be found on recordings such as the NAXOS label, and on her album LOVE: Innocence, Passion, Obsession, recorded with pianist Marianna Humetska.
Beyond the concert hall, Lynn is the Founder of Violin with Dr. Lynn, an international coaching program where she mentors advanced violinists. She has also been a guest lecturer, adjudicator, and Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Performance projects in 2026-27 include recitals in Chișinău, Moldova, as well as solo appearances with Toronto’s Urban Orchestra, Bulgaria’s Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the world premiere and studio recording of Felipe Téllez Concerto with both the Canadian Studio and Oakville Symphonies.
When not performing or coaching, Lynn can be found on the salsa and bachata dance floor, performing internationally with her dance teams, or sharing her love of the violin on social media channels.
I Only Care About You — Takashi Miki, as performed by Teresa Teng
Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 “Scottish”: II. Vivace non troppo — Felix Mendelssohn
Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46 — Max Bruch
--Intermission--
The Hebrides, Op. 26 (“Fingal’s Cave”) — Felix Mendelssohn
The Beautiful Island (美麗島) — Lee Shuang-tze, arr. Che-Yi Lee
Game of Thrones Main Title Theme — Ramin Djawadi
Sling Sling Sling — Baliwakes (陸森寶)
Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 “Scottish”: IV. Allegro vivacissimo — Felix Mendelssohn
From the Curating Team
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TAIWANfest Toronto is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, that is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered here, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples of this land while we engage in meaningful conversations of culture and reconciliation.