Davin Mar, viola

Davin Mar is thrilled to be returning to perform another concert with the Vancouver Westcoast Musical Society! Davin started on the viola when he was 4 years old with Manti Poon, and in 2019, began studying with Professor Marina Thibeault. Davin met David Han in 2018 when Davin joined as the violist of the Sequoia Quartet at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music. Davin plays in the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he has been featured as a soloist. In November of 2021, Davin performed a solo recital with the Vancouver Westcoast Musical Society and was the first place winner of the Southern California Viola Society Youth Competition in December. In the summer of 2022, Davin travelled to Boston to participate in the Morningside Music Bridge Program. Davin is so thankful for David Han and the Vancouver Westcoast Musical Society. It is such a treat to be performing an entire Brahms sonata, as well as a beautiful duet with a good friend!

David Han, cello

David Han is a 17 year old student attending Port Moody Secondary School in Port Moody, BC. David has played cello since the age of 6 and currently studies with the Principal Cellist of the Vancouver Symphony, Henry Shapard. From 2018-2022, David was the cellist of the Sequoia Quartet at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, where he became good friends with the violist, Davin Mar. David plays in the Sinfonietta String Ensemble at the VSO School of Music, where he is the Principal Cellist. The Sequoia Quartet attended the Fischoff Competition in South Bend, Indiana in May, and in the summer of 2022, David travelled to Western Massachusetts to participate in the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra Program. Aside from the cello, David has a particular passion for reading and studying history, as well as being fascinated by the interconnectivity between music and history. David would like to thank the Vancouver Westcoast Musical Society for this wonderful recital opportunity, as well as his teachers and family for all their support.

Christine Ngai, piano

A Vancouver-based pianist, Christine Ngai has performed across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her major awards include First Prize in the Canadian Music Competition, a Gold Medal from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and scholarships to Indiana University where she received a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Piano Performance. She went on to receive a Masters of Music and CSPM (Certificat de stage de perfectionnement en musique) from the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal studying under André Laplante. While her focus in school was solo performance, Christine also dedicated much of her time to ensemble playing and continues to perform often as a collaborative pianist.