Our Musicians
Meet just a handful of YPMC’s current musicians who come from a variety of backgrounds, each bringing their own unique artistry, perspective, and passion to our community.
Born in Bucaramanga - Colombia, Sebastian completed a Bachelor in Music from "Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga" with distinction "Magna Cum Laude". He has been multiple times workshop leader and guest conductor in "Festival de Arcos UNAB". Moreover, Sebastian has a diploma in Methodology in teaching in violin and viola, which have helped him as an instructor. Also, he was a member of "Orquesta Sinfónica UNAB" and concertmaster of "Orquesta de Arcos UNAB". Now, he is a student in Master of Music in Performance in the University of Calgary, and a member of UofC String Quartet and UofC Orchestra, where he has been concertmaster and soloist.
Sweta Babladi is a Calgary-born flautist, singer and teacher who is currently completing her Bachelor of Music at the University of Calgary studying flute performance with Dr. Lucie Jones. She plays in MRU Conservatory’s Calgary Youth Orchestra and the University of Calgary Orchestra as Co-Principal Flute, as well as performing with the University of Calgary Wind Ensemble. She is enthusiastic about chamber music, having been a flautist in the Mount Royal Chamber Flutes in 2023, and a founding member of the recently established Seraphina Flute Quartet. Sweta is dedicated to music education and advocacy in the performing arts. As a private studio instructor, she regularly works with young children one-on-one to teach them the flute and piano. During her time in the Calgary Pro Musica’s 2025-2026 Young Artists Development Program, she had the opportunity to develop her skills as a performer while working to create school concerts that captivate young audiences. Sweta is also eager to hone her skills as an aspiring teacher and conductor, studying conducting under Professor Gareth Jones at the University of Calgary.
Violist and violinist Ruby Jackson is recent graduate from the University of Toronto, earning a bachelors degree of music performance with honours. Currently based in Calgary Alberta, Ruby is pursuing a career as a freelance musician while also studying to be a luthier. Ruby prides herself in creative musicality and brings a unique point of view to pieces she plays. She enjoys focusing on storytelling and expressing joy within music making. She has participated in numerous music festivals, such as Festival Del Lago and the Emerald Coast Chamber Festival, where she worked with professionals across both the USA and Canada. Outside of music, Ruby is an avid reader and a talented artist. She spends a large portion of her time illustrating visual novels and smaller commissions. Ruby is a kind, fun loving person who is excited and eager to share the joy of her art and music with the world.
Gabrielle Marquis
Gabrielle Marquis is currently in the final year of her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance at the University of Calgary, where she studies with Dr. Lucie Jones. A dedicated ensemble musician, she served as principal flute with the University of Calgary Orchestra from 2022 to 2024 and has been a member of the University’s Wind Ensemble since the beginning of her degree. Outside of university, Gabby is a long-time participant in the Academy Programme for Young Artists at the Mount Royal Conservatory, through which she has performed in masterclasses for multiple guest artists, including Jim Walker, Carolyn Christie, and Joanna G’froerer. She was also a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra from 2019 to 2023. In addition to her performance work, she is passionate about music education and teaches privately. Gabby also has a growing interest in instrument repair and preventative maintenance for school band instruments.
Aidan Rigor is a student in his final year at the University of Calgary studying music performance for the saxophone. He has been studying with Dr. Jeremy Brown for over ten years taking classical saxophone lessons. Aidan has performed with Jazz YYC Lab Band and three University of Calgary ensembles: Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Orchestra. He is also enrolled in Mount Royal University Conservatory’s Woodwind Academy program and was a featured soloist during David Braid and Mark DeJong’s residency premiering a new work. In 2024 and 2025, Aidan was a member of the Contemporary Performance Lab in Calgary’s Sound Atlas Festival. He is also the recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Developing Artist Runner-Up Grant for woodwinds.
Aidan Rigor
Leigh Austin Kerr is a Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, currently studying a Bachelor of Music Performance degree at the University of Calgary, with a specialization in classical tuba. A fervent proponent of and advocate for the arts, Austin is constantly trying to immerse himself in as many creative endeavours as possible. From teaching high school level ensembles, to performing in world class marching bands across Canada and the United States, to singing with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Austin is accustomed to high level professional and performance environments. Currently, he plays tuba and trumpet in YPMC, tuba in the UofC Wind ensemble and brass choir, is lead tenor in the UofC U Chorus choir, and is section lead and first chair tenor in the Alberta Youth Honor Choir.
Reiss Challoner
Born in 2008, Penrith, England. Reiss Challoner is an 18-year-old Calgarian Double Bass player who fell in love with his instrument when he was 14 years old. Reiss is currently the principal double bassist of the calgary youth orchestra, a student of the advanced performance program at Mount Royal University, where he studies under the guidance of Sheila Garret, and has recently been accepted to study for a degree in Double Bass Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Besides playing his instrument, Reiss has a huge passion for composing music, especially when he plays with his friends, and colleagues
Thomas Cook is a trombonist who specializes in jazz music. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Calgary where he studies jazz trombone under the instruction of Carsten Rubeling. Although his main focus is in jazz, Thomas is experienced in playing classical music through the UofC Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, as well as chamber ensembles with the Young Professional Musicians Collective. Additionally, Thomas has also performed with the JazzYYC Youth Lab Band, as well as the AIBF Calgary Honour Band.
Lindsay Sulaiman
Lindsay Sulaiman is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Calgary in bass clarinet and clarinet integrated studies. During her time at the University of Calgary, she has performed with a variety of music ensembles, including Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and studio shows. Lindsay has also had the privilege of studying with Stan Climie, the 2nd Clarinet/Bass Clarinetist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Thomas Hüve
Thomas Hüve is currently pursuing a masters degree in music performance at the University of Calgary. He previously studied with Keith O’Rourke, Dr. Holly DeCaigny, Kristine Gray and currently studies under Dr. Jeremy Brown. During his undergraduate, he was the tenor sax player of the wind ensemble in the 2022-23 season, second alto in the 2023-24 season, the tenor player of one of the combo jazz bands and is currently the Baritone player for the 2024-25 school year. He has been a part of and played in masterclasses with saxophonists Claude Delangle, Nicolas Arsenijevic, Joseph Murphy and Kenneth Radnofsky. During his second year, he was the tenor player of the University of Calgary saxophone quartet, which participated in a masterclass with saxophonist Claude Delangle at the 2023 North American Saxophone Association in Edmonton. He continued to fill the role of tenor sax in the quartet up until 2025. Thomas is a tenor sax player in the Calgary Wind Symphony, and has played tenor with Alberta Winds. He mainly plays the Alto saxophone but doubles on the tenor, bari and soprano. He can double Bb clarinet as well as bass clarinet. He has also taught and continues to teach private lessons.
Gabriel Ngai
Gabriel Ngai is a violinist currently pursuing a BMus Performance degree at the University of Calgary. Currently, he is studying violin under Aranka Nagy, whilst also being a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, the Principal Second Violin in the UofC Orchestra, and a member of the YPMC.
As a second-year University of Calgary music student, Emily is a member of the university’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, and Jazz Combos, as well as Mount Royal University’s and JazzYYC’s Youth Lab Band 1. She teaches jazz and classical trumpet clinics at high schools weekly, and regularly guest conducts the Notre Dame High School Concert Band.
Austin Ewington
Austin Ewington is a second year B.Mus student at the University of Calgary. His main instrument is the clarinet which he has been playing for 6 years, though he started his musical education with piano lessons. Last year, Austin picked up tenor saxophone and is continuing to double on it alongside clarinet. Previously, Austin has played in the UofC Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, and Jazz Combos. He is also an active member in Calgary’s marching bands: the Calgary Stetson Show Band in 2022-23, and the Calgary Stampede Showband since fall 2023. Austin is continuing to study both classical and jazz clarinet, and will be part of both the saxophone and clarinet studios as well as university ensembles.
Phoebe Xu
Phoebe Xu, born in 2008, is a cellist currently studying with Beth Sandvoss at the Mount Royal University Conservatory as a member of the Advanced Academy Program. She began studying cello at the age of nine through the Manitoba Conservatory of Music with Blair Burns and has previously studied with Yuri Hooker, John Kadz, and Joanne Perron. Phoebe has been a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra since 2023 and previously performed with the Winnipeg Youth Orchestra for four years. An active participant in festivals and competitions, she has received notable distinctions including first place in the MCMA Senior Strings Scholarship and the Sydney McInnis Baroque Scholarship. Alongside her work as a cellist, Phoebe is also an accomplished pianist and has competed successfully at the provincial level. She enjoys sharing music with her community and regularly volunteers to perform at senior residences and local events.
Ana Gonzalez is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the University of Calgary where she studies with violinist Edmond Agopian. She currently holds a co-concertmaster position with the University of Calgary Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Youth Orchestra and was recently appointed concertmaster of the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra.
Ana has participated in many festivals, including but not limited to: the Tuckermore Festival in Newfoundland, the InterHarmony Festival in Italy, the Prague Summer nights Festival, as well as the PRISMA Festival in British Columbia. Ana continues to aspire to be the best musician she can possibly be and aspires to pursue a master’s degree in violin performance in the future. Ana prioritizes creating a lasting impact and giving back to her community, through active teaching at several schools, and the aspiration of founding a non-profit organization to help break down the barriers of entry into the field of music.
Born in the Philippines, Renn is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with a passion for collaborative music-making. In addition to clarinet and guitar, he has marched with several bands. Renn works as a music teacher and enjoys performing in a wide range of ensemble settings. He plans to pursue his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Calgary, studying jazz guitar and classical clarinet. His diverse experience includes performances with the Alberta Wind Symphony, University of Calgary Symphonic Band, Calgary Stampede Showband, and numerous chamber ensembles.
Tom Gorman is a dynamic musician currently studying Jazz trombone at the University of Calgary under Trombonist and composer, Carsten Rubeling. While he specializes in bass and tenor trombone, he is also an intermediate piano player. Tom has played and performed with many different groups and ensembles around Calgary. These ensembles span many different genres and styles including: jazz, funk, rock, classical and chamber. Some of those ensembles include, the University wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, Fox Big Band, and Calgary Wind Symphony. Tom wholeheartedly loves the art of creating music with others, and wants to dedicate his life to creating, and sharing it with others.
Scott Elliott Morgan
Currently, Scott is a student at U of C, focusing on both classical and jazz percussion. He has been playing percussion for 6 years and is currently studying under Dr. Christopher Sies, the principal percussionist of the Calgary Philharmonic. Scott has performed in several chamber ensembles, including the University of Calgary Steel Pan Band, University of Calgary Percussion Ensemble, and the 88 Lynx Airdrie Air Cadets Marching Band. In all of which he has performed pieces ranging from 2 to 14 players.
Anya Liwanag
Anya Liwanag is a Calgary-based musician whose primary instrument is the cello. She views music as a gift shaped by experience, people, and joy, something that grows deeper with every performance and connection. Through her playing, she seeks to share stories that words cannot fully express, drawing listeners into moments of reflection, emotion, and beauty. Anya has performed at concerts, festivals, community events, and private functions as both a soloist and ensemble musician. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Calgary.
Ethan Young is an award winning musician and composer based in Calgary, Alberta. Currently studying piano under the tutelage of Dr. Jani Parsons at the University of Calgary, Ethan has won multiple awards and scholarships for his performances and compositions at both the local and provincial level. Additionally, he has received notable awards including the 2024 Marissa Staddon Scholarship, the 2025 Nickle Family Foundation Scholarship and multiple ARMTA and APTA scholarships and awards. In tandem with piano, Ethan is the founding violist and coordinator of the Ansia Quartet which has been praised for its elegance and artistry. As a sought-after chamber musician, Ethan also maintains an active presence in the orchestral community serving as the assistant principal to notable orchestras like the UCalgary Orchestra and Centre Street Orchestra.