Maestro Rafel Luz
Maestro Rafael Luz is a conductor who strives to captivate audiences. He is a rising star in the world of classical music, known for his electrifying stage presence and dynamic approach to conducting.
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Rafael began his musical journey on the piano as well as the violin before discovering his passion for conducting while leading various choirs. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Faculdade de Artes Alcântara Machado, Brazil’s largest and one of its top universities, a Master of Arts in conducting from the Aaron Copland School of Music, NY, studying under Maurice Peress (Leonard Bernstein’s assistant at the NY Phil), and a doctoral degree (DMA) in conducting from the University of Toronto, where he was recognized for both his exceptional talent and dedication to the craft.
In addition to his role as a conductor, Rafael has gained significant expertise in music management and development. He has served as Assistant Librarian for the National Ballet of Canada and as a Technical Revisor for EdUSP, one of Brazil’s largest university publishers. He also taught at the Festival Eleazar de Carvalho for several years and the Projeto Guri, a Sistema-like program teaching music in lower-income areas in São Paulo, inspiring and mentoring countless young musicians.
In 2014, Maestro Luz became the Music Director and Conductor of the North York Concert Orchestra, receiving critical acclaim for his energetic and powerful performances. Among his many projects was the introduction of a newly created Summer Opera Series with a full production of Candide, as well as collaborations with renowned soloists and premieres of new works by contemporary composers.
With a deep commitment to music education and an unwavering passion for conducting, Rafael Luz is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for both orchestra members and audiences alike. In the years to come, he hopes to continue pushing the boundaries of classical music and
inspiring future generations of musicians.
David McFadden
David McFadden earned his ARCT diploma with first-class honours with distinction from the Royal Conservatory of Music, further studying at the University of Toronto and the Utrecht’s Conservatorium in Holland.
A versatile professional, he performed with the Toronto Symphony for 16 seasons and served as Concertmaster for major theatrical productions including Ragtime, Show Boat, Sunset Blvd., and Phantom of the Opera. His extensive career spans classical ensembles—such as the Canadian Opera Company, National Ballet, and Symphony Nova Scotia—alongside performances and recordings with iconic artists like Ray Charles, Peter Gabriel, Andrea Bocelli, and Josh Grobin.
A trained specialist in advanced violin repair and bow making from the University of New Hampshire’s Violin Craftsmanship Institute, David runs Bravura House, providing stringed instrument sales, rentals, and service across North America. He has been the Concertmaster of the Huronia Symphony for over 25 years, teaches private strings out of his Midhurst studio, and serves in music ministry as the Chapel Coordinator at the Muskoka Bible Centre and Pastor of Seniors at Emmanuel Barrie.
Principal Second Violin
Elianna Van Raalte
Elianna Van Raalte is a violinist originally from the Hamilton area with an active career freelancing and teaching in the GTA. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance and a Diploma in Chamber Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, she completed a Masters in Violin Performance at the University of Toronto, studying with Erika Raum. While there, she received a fellowship as a member of the Keynote String Quartet and received the Ontario Graduate Scholarship for her graduate research.
Elianna holds a position as Principal Second Violinist with the Huronia Symphony Orchestra in Barrie. She has performed as Concertmaster with the North York Concert Orchestra and Guest Principal Second Violinist at the Georgian Bay Symphony and Ancaster Sinfonia. She regularly plays with the Ontario Philharmonic, the Peterborough Symphony, and the Windsor Symphony, among others. She served as concertmaster with the University of Toronto's Contemporary Music Ensemble (2024-2025) and Symphony Orchestra (2025-2026).
Elianna has been teaching violin through her private studio for 10 years. She has coached undergraduate-level string quartets and taught Musical Skills tutorials at the University of Toronto. Currently, she is a teacher with the Sistema Toronto program and a coach in community orchestra settings.
Principal Viola
Paul Earle
Paul Earle’s career as a professional violinist/violist has spanned over 40 years. His postsecondary education was in music performance at Western University and subsequently 2 years on violin and viola consecutively in The Orchestra Training Program at The Royal Conservatory. His main teachers were Yuri Mazurkevich and the late Lorand Feyves.
Mr. Earle has performed as a concerto soloist, concertmaster, principal second, and principal viola with many orchestras across Ontario as well as a section player in professional orchestras such as the KW Symphony, The Stratford Festival Orchestra London, The Stratford Symphony Orchestra, The Hamilton Philharmonic, The Windsor Symphony and Thunder Bay Symphony among others. Paul has also been the string adjudicator for The Barrie Music Festival. Additionally, Paul has performed in numerous chamber ensembles across Ontario and also played on tour in many countries in Europe and in China.
Paul and his wife Judy enjoy small town life in Harrison, ON with frequent trips to their cottage on the Bruce Peninsula.
Principal Cello
John Trembath
Mr. Trembath studied with Jack Kirstein of the LaSalle Quartet and Peter Howard of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Since graduating from the University of Cincinnati, he has served as principal and assistant principal cellist with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, principal cello with the Kingston Symphony, Toronto Pops and the Phantom of the Opera orchestra.
Mr. Trembath has also performed with many orchestras across Canada including the Hamilton Philharmonic, National Ballet, Canadian Opera, Symphony Nova Scotia and as featured soloist with the Huronia Symphony, Scarborough Philharmonic and the Trinity Chamber Ensemble. Mr. Trembath can also be heard on recordings with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Canadian cast recording of the Phantom of the Opera.
Mr. Trembath has taught for the Toronto District School Board, Havergal College and National Music Camp of Canada. He has served professional musicians in the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM) and the Toronto Musicians Association (TMA).
Principal Oboe
Paul Goeglein
Paul Goeglein, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, is an active performer and teacher based in the GTA. He has performed with the Huronia Symphony Orchestra since 2023, and is proud to be in his 3rd season as Core Principal Oboe.
A highly sought-after musician, he has performed with institutions such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Additionally, he has appeared with many orchestras across Canada and the US including those of Toledo, Nova Scotia, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Hamilton.
After earning a Bachelor’s Degree at Indiana University, Paul moved to Toronto in 2020. There, he studied at the Glenn Gould School and the University of Toronto, ultimately graduating in 2024. An advocate of new music and Canadian composers, Paul has performed with the Esprit Orchestra, Soundstreams, and Toronto’s 21C Festival, where he has been a part of numerous World and North American premieres. A passionate teacher, Paul maintains a flourishing private studio of pupils ranging from young beginners to adult amateurs.
Paul lives in Toronto’s West End with his orange one-eared cat, Louie. He enjoys evenings at his reed desk, long hikes in Southern Ontario, and cooking new recipes for friends.
Principal Trumpet
Michael Barth
Michael Barth enjoys a diverse career as a freelance trumpeter, performing in a wide range of styles and ensembles throughout Ontario. As an orchestral musician, Michael frequently works with professional groups in Toronto and across the province, including the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Esprit Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara region, Peterborough, Kingston, and Thunder Bay. He is an avid performer of brass chamber music, and has appeared regularly as a soloist in Toronto’s ORGANIX concert series.
Michael also performs on the baroque trumpet with groups including the Nota Bene Baroque Orchestra, Concordo Ensemble, and the Talisker Players. Although trained in the classical tradition of brass music making, Michael has toured North America, Europe, and Asia with the Juno award winning rock groups Do Make Say Think and Charles Spearin’s The Happiness Project.
Michael is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Doctor of Musical Arts program, which allowed him to indulge his interest in new music with research into the repertoire for solo trumpet and electronics. When he isn’t practicing or performing, Michael spends his time running three small businesses, and enjoys reading and cycling.