THE PROGRAMM

The Orchestre classique de Montréal (OCM) is proud to announce the fifth edition of its Kunerth-Lafond Mentorship Program.

This fifth edition is made possible through the generous support of Élizabeth Wirth and Mario Lafond, co-presenters of the Mentorship Program, and is offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Music of the Université de Montréal and the Schulich School of Music at McGill University.

The program is open to musicians who are graduates or in the final year of their undergraduate music degree (or equivalent level), aged thirty (30) and under. Non-students are also eligible.

This unique mentorship program provides an exceptional learning opportunity to develop the skills of a professional orchestral musician by rehearsing and performing alongside the musicians of the Orchestre classique de Montréal, one of Canada’s most distinguished and long-standing ensembles.

“I can confidently say that the OCM mentorship program served as a bridge between my life as a music student and a new reality, that of a professional musician with a promising career”, says Gwénaëlle Ratouit, a former participant in the program.

During the program, and in addition to public performances, mentees will take part in masterclasses, coachings, lectures, workshops, and other professional development sessions.

DATES

The program will take place from Saturday, May 16 to Saturday, May 30, 2026. All participants must be available for the full duration.

INSTRUMENTALISTS

Twelve (12) string musicians will have the opportunity to learn the craft of professional orchestral performance: four (4) first violins, three (3) second violins, two (2) violas, two (2) cellos, and one (1) double bass.

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

We are also reinstating the position of Assistant Conductor, who will assist Maestro Andrei Feher in four (4) concert productions: Handel’s Messiah, From Chopin to Weinberg, Opéra Bonbon, and the final concert Viva Vivaldi.

Conducting applicants must submit their CV along with two to three (2-3) video recordings (in rehearsal or concert). A short online interview will be arranged for selected candidates. The Assistant Conductor will receive an honorarium of $800 per concert, for a total of $3,200 for participation in concerts.

COMPOSER

New this year: the OCM is partnering with the Composition Department at McGill University to offer one composer, selected by the faculty, the opportunity to create a new work to be premiered during the OCM’s final season concert at Maison symphonique.

INSTRUMENTALIST PERFORMANCES

The program will also include two public concerts. The first will be a recital featuring the mentees of the program (date and venue to be announced). The recital will be filmed for those who wish to have audition material. The second performance, with members of the OCM, will take place at Maison symphonique de Montréal on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and will serve as the culmination of the mentorship program. This final concert also marks the OCM’s official season finale. Participants will receive union-scale compensation for their performance.

2026 PARTICIPANTS

Congratulations to the 2026 participants of OCM’s Kunerth-Lafond mentorship program. 

Park, Sieun Layla Violon 1
Van Barr, Charlotte Violon 1
Ballesta, Paul Violon 1
Chapleau, Jacinthe Violon 1
Osypchuk, Margaryta Violon 2
LaCroix, Nourit Violon 2
Osypchuk, Inna Violon 2
Auclair, Zakary Alto
Lee, Eunjin Veronica Alto
James, Mckinley Violoncelle
Ouellet Mata, Samuel Violoncelle
Beaulieu-Gaul, Étienne Contrebasse
Grou, Émile Chef assistant
Lachance, Tom compositeur