Teaching and Coaching

1. Teachers

QY String also provides private lessons and orchestral training for the violin, viola, and cello. We offer summer programs such as RCM Theory courses, quartet training, and chamber groups. All lessons are taught by professional music teachers from all parts of the world including Russia, Greece, China, Korea and Albania. 

 

Daniel Yoo
Senior Violin, Viola, & Chamber Music Pedagogue

Daniel Yoo joined QY String Inc. in 2015, and we are proud to have him as a valued member of our team.

An internationally renowned violinist and violist, Daniel Yoo began his extraordinary musical journey at the age of 14 when he was invited to study at the Juilliard School of Music under the legendary Dorothy DeLay (violin) and Eugene Becker (viola). During his time there, he had the privilege of performing alongside some of the most distinguished figures in the classical music world.

Daniel further honed his craft under the tutelage of Jascha Brodsky, a musical descendant of Eugène Ysaÿe, and Victor Danchenko, a protégé of David Oistrakh. He continued his studies at the Esther Boyer College of Music on a full scholarship with stipend, and later attended the Cleveland Institute of Music before embarking on a concert tour of Asia, performing with a 17th-century Stradivarius violin on loan from a private collector.

His talent has been recognized with numerous international and national awards, including top prizes at the Canadian Music Competition and the Kiwanis Music Competition, where he was the Open Division Trophy Prize winner in 2001.

Daniel has served as concertmaster for numerous orchestras and has participated in several prestigious music festivals, including the Aspen, Spoleto, and Verbier Music Festivals, collaborating with world-renowned artists and conductors. He has toured extensively across Asia and Europe, performing with celebrated musicians such as Anne-Sophie Mutter and André Previn. Daniel has also worked closely with renowned film composer Krzysztof Penderecki, both as a soloist and as concertmaster of the Casals Festival Orchestra.

After spending 25 years abroad, Daniel chose to return to his hometown to dedicate himself to teaching and to contribute to the Toronto music community. Since joining QY String in 2015, Daniel has continued to inspire and shape the next generation of musicians.

He can be seen on https://www.youtube.com/danielyoomusic

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Mary-Katherine Finch
Cellist

Mary-Katherine Finch joined QY String Inc. in 2020, and we are proud to have her as part of our team.

Mary-Katherine enjoys a rich and diverse performing career across a wide range of ensembles and musical genres. She has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet of Canada, and the Esprit Orchestra. She served as Principal Cellist of the Mississauga Symphony and has also appeared as Guest Principal Cellist with the Hamilton Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, and Niagara Symphony.

A passionate chamber musician, Mary-Katherine regularly performs in concert series throughout Ontario. Her festival appearances include the Luminato Festival, Elora Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Festival of the Sound, and the Ottawa Chamber Festival.

In addition to her performing career, Mary-Katherine is a dedicated and sought-after teacher. She maintains an active private studio and has been on faculty as a cello instructor at the Claude Watson School for the Arts and the University of Toronto since 2009. She also teaches at the Upper Beaches Music School, where she continues to inspire young cellists with her artistry and commitment.

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2. Lessons

QY String offers private lessons and orchestral training for violin, viola, and cello. All lessons are taught by professional music educators from around the world, including the USA, Canada, Russia, Greece, China, and Albania.

3. Chamber Music Training

We also provide specialized chamber music training, including summer programs such as RCM Theory courses, quartet coaching, and chamber ensemble workshops. These programs are designed to help students develop their skills in collaborative playing and chamber performance.

Students enrolled in our summer chamber orchestra or quartet programs will have the opportunity to perform in our summer recital in August and our March Break concert.

4. Honor Board

At QY String Inc., we take pride in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our students and faculty. Our Honor Board recognizes those who have demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication, and excellence in music performance, competitions, and academic pursuits.

• 2024

• 2021

Congratulations Daniel Yoo’s student Vincent Poon in 2021, he will be admitted to the Violin Performance Major of the Music Department of the University of Toronto， Become a Professional Violin Student。

• 2020

Congratulations Daniel Yoo’s student Vincent Poon on 2020 North York Music & Performing Arts Festival, AGE ACHIEVEMENT (RECITAL) CLASSES Age 17 & underand and (ARCT) won first place got score 98 and 97.

• 2019

• 2018

• 2016

​Congratulations on the exam at the Royal Conservatoire in August 2016, and Daniel Yoo’s student Xin Yi Shen’s Grade 10 violin exam, which took only 3 months to prepare for a good score of 82.