The COC Orchestra


The COC Orchestra—the oldest opera orchestra in Canada—comprises more than 50 permanent instrumentalists and has received worldwide acclaim for its musical versatility and range of expression. Under German-born conductor Johannes Debus, who was appointed Music Director of the Canadian Opera Company in 2009, the orchestra continues to excel in a wide variety of repertoire, achieving “almost otherworldly perfection” (Globe and Mail).


  • Violins
    • Marie Bérard*, Concertmaster
    • Aaron Schwebel, Associate Concertmaster
    • Jamie Kruspe, Assistant Concertmaster
    • Csaba Koczó, Assistant Principal Second
    • James Aylesworth
    • Sandra Baron
    • Bethany Bergman
    • Terri Croft
    • Elizabeth Johnston
    • Nancy Kershaw
    • Dominique Laplante
    • Clara Lee
    • Yakov Lerner
    • Aya Miyagawa
    • Louise Tardif
    • Joanna Zabrowarna

    *The Concertmaster's chair has been endowed in perpetuity by Joey and Toby Tanenbaum.
    Viola
    • Sheila Jaffé, Principal
    • Joshua Greenlaw, Assistant Principal
    • Carolyn Blackwell
    • Catherine Gray
    • Yosef Tamir
    Cello
    • Leana Rutt, Associate Principal
    • Paul Widner, Assistant Principal
    • Maurizio Baccante
    • Olga Laktionova
    • Elaine Thompson
    Bass
    • Tony Flynt, Principal
    • Robert Speer, Assistant Principal
    • Ben Heard
    • Samuel Vachon
    Woodwinds
    Flute
    • Douglas Stewart, Principal
    • Shelley Brown
    Piccolo
    • Shelley Brown
    Oboe
    • Mark Rogers, Principal
    • Lesley Young
    English Horn
    • Lesley Young
    Clarinet
    • Dominic Desautels, Principal
    • Colleen Cook
    Bass Clarinet
    • Colleen Cook
    Bassoon
    • Eric Hall, Principal
    • Lisa Chisholm
    Contrabassoon
    • Lisa Chisholm
    Brass
    French Horn
    • Scott Wevers, Principal
    • Gary Pattison
    • Bardhyl Gjevori
    • Janet Anderson
    Trombone
    • Robert Conquer, Principal
    Trumpet
    • Charles Watson
    Tuba and Cimbasso
    • Daniel Hill, Principal
    Harp
    • Sarah Davidson, Principal
  • Principal Second Violin—September 19, 2024

Music Director Johannes Debus and the COC Orchestra (2018), photo: Gaetz Photography

SIGN UP FOR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS

Phone: 416-363-8231

Toll Free: 1-800-250-4653

Contact Page

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube