21-year-old cellist Sabina Sandvoss from Bragg Creek has been awarded second prize in the 2025 Michael Measures Prize by the Canada Council for the Arts.
This national award recognizes two of the country’s most promising classical musicians, awarded to young musicians 16 to 24 years of age who are enroled in the summer training program of the NYO Canada.
It comes with a $15,000 prize and featured performance opportunities on the Canada’s 65th Anniversary Tour this summer.
Justin Saulnier is a 19-year-old violinist from Ottawa, Ontario, earned first prize.
Known for her passionate and expressive performances, Sandvoss is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance at the Glenn Gould School, studying with Hans Jørgen Jensen and Andrés Díaz.
"To be a recipient of this prize is such an honour and being a part of its legacy is something I’ve been dreaming of for years," Sandvoss said. "It’s very affirming and is driving me to push myself further, knowing that my artistry is being recognized. It’s such a great reminder of why I fell in love with music in the first place and is keeping me hungry for more."
She also has recently won the 2025 Corcoran Concerto Competition, performing Schelomoby Bloch, and placed second in the Canada Council’s 2025 Michael Measures Prize.
A three-time concerto competition winner, Sandvoss said she received early mentorship from her mother, Beth Root Sandvoss, and performs on a cello hand crafted by her father, Christopher Tilman Sandvoss.
“I am very excited to meet all of the other participants and to play beautiful music with everyone," Sandvoss said about the experience. "It’ll be a summer filled with learning, collaboration and fun."
This summer marks her second season with NYO Canada.
NYO Canada’s 2025 tour begins July 18 at Koerner Hall in Toronto and includes stops in Ottawa, Vancouver, Nanaimo, and Victoria.
Sandvoss will be featured in performances and recitals throughout the session.
Though she won't be stopping to perform in her hometown, Sandvoss said growing up in Bragg Creek has allowed her to grow as a person and musician in a peaceful, grounded, nature focused environment.
"Being surrounded by the beauty of earth is such a privilege and I miss it deeply when I’m living in Toronto," Sandvoss explained. "Bragg Creek has such a wonderful community of musicians and music-lovers who always show up for the local concerts and showcases. Being a witness of this appreciation growing up, gives me frequent reminders that the world needs music to live and breathe. Nature, community, spirit and love are integral to the growth of artists."
The tour also features major symphonic works by Mahler, Shostakovich, Debussy, and Ethel Smyth, and a world premiere by Canadian composer Nicholas Denton Protsack.
"“At the GGS, Maestro Naomi Woo conducted one of our orchestra concerts and I felt she was one of the most influential conductors we’ve had the opportunity to work with, and knowing the passion she has for music is fuelling my excitement for NYO this summer,” Sandvoss added.
Michael Measures, for whom the prize was named, was a music lover and engaged volunteer in Ottawa’s artistic community.
Upon his death, he made a generous bequest to the Canada Council for the Arts so that it could provide development opportunities for young classical musicians and encourage public recognition of their achievements.
Sandvoss grew up in Bragg Creek and previously studied in the Advanced Performance Program at Mount Royal Conservatory before heading east.
After the tour with NYO, She plans on returning back to Bragg Creek for the remainder of the summer.
"My brother, Tilman Sandvoss, runs a chamber music festival called Chisel Creek Classical at our family ranch in West Bragg," she added. "The festival brings together community, art, and nature in a unique and inspiring way - and I’m excited to be returning as one of the 2025 artists."
People can find out more about the festival, which Sandvoss said she'll be wrapping up the summer with before school, at www.chiselcreekclassical.com .
"There’s nothing quite like spending my days making music, soaking up the sunshine, and breathing in the fresh mountain air," Sandvoss said.
