Teachers

Versatile Canadian violinist Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith grew up in Nanaimo, BC. She began her violin studies at age 5 with an inspiring teacher which led her to a career as a professional violinist.  In over a decade of performing with many Toronto ensembles, Elyssa most cherished her time with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, which inspired her to pursue a specialty in early music. In 2016, Elyssa returned to her island roots, and settled in Victoria to be closer to family. Excited to pursue new opportunities, she was warmly welcomed by her west coast colleagues and now holds permanent positions in local early music ensembles Victoria Baroque and Pacific Baroque Orchestra (Vancouver). 

In addition to performing, Elyssa is an enthusiastic and passionate educator and has been involved in teaching, coaching and program development for over 20 years. As an educator in Toronto, Elyssa was the Director of the Strings program at the Kingsway Conservatory of Music, as well as the assistant strings teacher at Havergal College Senior School. Elyssa has been on faculty at the Victoria Baroque Summer Academy since its inception in 2016 and has been invited as a guest coach to the Collegium Ensemble at the University of Victoria.  In 2018, Elyssa became the coordinator of the Junior Summer String Academy at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and in 2022, founded the Victoria Baroque Youth Orchestra. Most recently, Elyssa moved to the Cowichan Valley and is excited to be starting a new studio up island, the Cowichan String Academy. 

Originally from Nanaimo BC, Amy earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the HARID Conservatory in Florida, and her Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Prior to her move back to Vancouver Island in 2020, Amy was enjoying her first season as Principal Cellist in the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in Ontario. She played regularly with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and toured with the TSO to Europe, the US, and in Canada. During her years in Toronto Amy also played with the Canadian Opera Company, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Windsor Symphony, Niagara Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, and Symphony Nova Scotia in Halifax. For the 2011/12 season Amy served as substitute Principal Cellist in the Victoria Symphony and taught at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and again joined the orchestra playing Principal cello for the second part of their 2016 season.

Amy is an active chamber musician, and was a member of the Madawaska String Quartet, specializing in the performance and cultivation of contemporary works. Amy was also the solo cellist in numerous hit broadway theatre productions for the Mirvish company in Toronto, including Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Matilda, Kinky Boots, The Sound of Music, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and The Lion King. She also toured with Hamilton in the US in 2022.

Beyond the strictly classical music genre Amy has worked with Toronto’s Art of Time Ensemble, SoulPepper Theatre Company, Toronto Dance Theatre, the Stratford Festival and Music in the Barns. She has performed or recorded with leading artists including Ed Sheeran, Stevie Wonder, Blue Rodeo, Jesse Cook, The Barenaked Ladies, Jim Cuddy, Steven Page, Sarah Slean, Molly Johnson, Royal Wood, Amelia Curran, Donovan Woods, and played a Canadian tour with Blue Rodeo including a performance at the JUNO’s.

Amy has played in music festivals around the world including the Spoleto Festivals in Italy and in Charleston, The National Orchestral Institute, the Banff Arts Festival, Musica Nel Chiostro in Tuscany, Cork Opera Festival Ireland, COSI festival in Italy, the Northern Lights Festival in Ajijic Mexico, Festival of Sound in Parry Sound, the Phil Dywer Music Festival in Qualicum BC, Salt Spring Chamber Music Festival, Tafelmusik’s Winter Institute, and also toured China with her cello quartet.

Amy is happy to be back on Vancouver Island again, making a home in the Nanaimo/Ladysmith area with her husband and two sons. She plays frequently with the Victoria Symphony, Victoria Baroque, the Vancouver Symphony, Vancouver Island Symphony, and teaches at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She has also performed with Vancouver’s Vetta Ensemble, the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Early Music Vancouver, Victoria Chamber Choir and the Pacific Opera Company.

Ella has been studying the violin and piano for as long as she can remember. Inspired by her musical cousins in the UK, her journey began at a young age and has since grown into a deep passion—she can’t imagine life without music. As a soloist, Ella has performed at the Cowichan Music Festival, where she has received numerous awards and been invited to perform in both the Gala and Highlights concerts. She is especially passionate about ensemble playing and is currently the captain of her school orchestra, a regular performer with the Victoria Baroque Youth Orchestra, and is excited to join the Cowichan Chamber Music Collaborative this coming season.

Alongside performing, Ella enjoys sharing her love of music with others. She has gained experience working with children through extensive babysitting and by assisting with music classes at Cowichan String Academy, including stepping in to teach when needed. This year, she is excited to join the CSA mentorship project as an assistant teacher.

Ella is working towards achieving her Royal Conservatory of Music junior teaching certification in both violin and piano. When not playing music, she can be found traveling or enjoying her homemade oatmilk matcha.