The founder of the Canadian Sinfonietta, Tak Ng Lai is a well known conductor and a sought after pedagogue. Over the years, he has inspired hundreds of students, many of whom are performing and conducting on concert stages and in orchestras all over the world. His enthusiasm and endless energy for creating and producing music, particularly working with the development of young talent, has shaped the Canadian Sinfonietta Youth Orchestra and made it one of the most outstanding youth groups in the country. Most recently, he has also begun composing, and has recorded several of his works for solo violin, as well as premieres of choral and other instrumental works.

Maestro Lai has guest conducted all over North America, Europe and Asia, among them, the Moscow Symphony, the Ural State Philharmonic, the Vancouver Symphony, the Windsor Symphony, the Niagara Symphony, the Shanghai Philharmonic, the Taiwan Symphony, the Beijing Symphony, Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra of Bulgaria.

Maestro Lai is a past music director and conductor of both the Niagara and the Mississauga Youth Orchestras, as well as working with the Etobicoke Philharmonic for 20 years before retiring. He was the first conductor of the Canadian Chamber Academy and during his early years in Canada, he served as the assistant conductor of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra. For several years he served as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Canton Philharmonic and Choral Society.

Maestro Lai began his professional career as a member of the first violin section in the Hong Kong Philharmonic before completing his studies at the Vienna Conservatory in Austria. He immigrated to Canada in 1977, along with his wife and pianist, Aster Lai. The two are a dynamic couple, and over the years have, in their generosity, given back to the community by sharing their time and musical talents, participating in and hosting countless charity and fundraising events.

Maestro Lai is also known for developing and establishing a presence for Chinese musicians and music and has instigated hundreds of cultural exchanges in the form of concerts and new compositions.

Joyce Lai is the artistic director of the Canadian Sinfonietta as well as conductor of the CSYO Junior Strings. In addition to her leadership role producing concerts and managing recordings for the organization, Joyce also divides her time between solo performance, chamber music concerts and teaching.

Joyce performs traditional as well as contemporary works and has been fortunate to have been involved in a number of world premiere performances and recordings.

As a concert violinist, Joyce has been featured with orchestras around the world, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Szeged Symphony Orchestra of Hungary, the Canadian Chamber Academy, and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. Locally, Joyce has been guest soloist with, among others, the Stratford Symphony Orchestra, Etobicoke Philharmonic, Scarborough Philharmonic, as well as the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.

A sought after collaborative violinist, Joyce performs a number of chamber concerts each year with members of the Canadian Sinfonietta as well as being invited to perform at various festivals including the Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival in Manitoba, the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Festival and the Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival in B.C.

In 2017, Joyce, along with pianist Erika Crino, presented a series of duo recitals featuring all Canadian works in Croatia, Serbia and Italy. These concerts were hosted by the Canadian Embassy in celebration of Canada’s 150th.

Joyce has taught at the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Baptist University. In addition to a very full private studio, Joyce gives a number of master classes and violin clinics and adjudicates for local competitions each year.

Joyce holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Masters of Music Degree and Performer Diploma from Indiana University.