Bringing classical music to the Sea to Sky Corridor
Next Performance
Who are we?
The Sea to Sky String Orchestra is a group of highly dedicated musicians who love classical music and love sharing it with our community. Offering about a half-dozen concerts each year, we are constantly exploring new repertoire, and pushing ourselves to take on interesting and exciting musical challenges. From Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Grieg to more contemporary composers like Hans Zimmer, Piazolla, and Leonard Bernstein.
Our main instruments are violin, viola, cello and double bass. We are often joined by guest musicians on oboe, flute, percussion, and keyboards. Although you could say we’re most at home when we’re playing our instruments, we actually live throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor—in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. For over a decade, we’ve been gathering every week to rehearse, learn new pieces, explore different genres, laugh, and celebrate.
When we aren’t playing music, we work in cafes and on the mountain. We write books and teach children. We are doctors, nurses, fire fighters, and tech wizards. We ride horses, climb mountains, mountain bike like crazy, go to concerts and eat cake. Some of us have been immersed in the musical realm consistently since childhood, while others dusted off our instruments after hiatuses in adult life.
Our Leader
Yuko Iwanaga is the founder and director of the Orchestra. Originally from Tokyo, she moved to to Canada in 1994 in search of adventure. An alumna of the Suzuki Method’s highest level (postgraduate No. 4), Iwanaga has 20 years of private teaching experience under her belt, including high school strings at the Whistler Waldorf School. She is also the founder and leader of the Sea to Sky Youth Orchestra.
“Sharing various pieces and coaching the Orchestra gives me great joy, especially bringing in music from my youth,” says Iwanaga. “It brings back so many great memories. There are no limits when it comes to music.”
Are you a Musician with a Passion for Learning and Sharing?
We are always on the lookout for new members. If you are an experienced and passionate strings player, reach out! We might just have a spot for you in our joyful Orchestra.