Program Information

We launch our new Daylight Concerts series with violinist Charna Matsushige, violist Ryan Vis, and cellist Rachel Desoer. All three are accomplished chamber and orchestral musicians with strong connections to Symphony Nova Scotia. Matsushige has performed with ensembles across Canada, Vis recently joined Symphony Nova Scotia’s viola section following performances at the National Arts Centre and internationally, and Principal Cellist Desoer toured extensively as a member of the JUNO Award-nominated Cecilia String Quartet, performing at Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, and Konzerthaus Berlin.

Together, they present an engagin program for string trio featuring Mozart’s "Eine kleine Nachtmusik," Gardel’s “Por una cabeza,” Massenet’s lyrical “Méditation” from "Thaïs," and Dohnányi’s Serenade in C Major, alongside a touch of familiar film music.

Created especially with older adults in mind, but open to everyone, Daylight Concerts offer welcoming weekday afternoon performances in a relaxed and accessible setting. Each concert features one hour of live acoustic music with no intermission, followed by complimentary coffee, tea, and refreshments, with time to visit and socialize. The series brings together exceptional live music and opportunities for social connection, all during the daylight hours.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525
1. Allegro

Carlos Gardel (1890–1935)
“Por una cabeza”
arr. for string trio

Jules Massenet (1842–1912)
“Méditation” from Thaïs
arr. for string trio

Klaus Badelt (b. 1967)
“He’s a Pirate” from "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"
arr. for string trio

Ernő Dohnányi (1877–1960)
Serenade in C Major for String Trio, Op. 10
1. Marcia: Allegro
2. Romanza: Adagio non troppo, quasi andante
3. Scherzo: Vivace
4. Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto
5. Rondo (Finale): Allegro vivace

Artist Biographies

Charna Matsushige, violia

A native of Newmarket, Ontario, Charna Matsushige began studying the violin with Sonia Klimasko at age six and by her late teens continued her studies with David Zafer in Toronto. She has enjoyed playing with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Toronto Concert Orchestra, the National Academy Orchestra, and the Kingston Symphony.

An avid chamber musician, Charna has participated in string quartet programs at the Scotia Festival of Music in Halifax and the NYU Steinhardt Intensive String Quartet Workshop in New York City. Charna received her Bachelor of Music in Performance at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music under the tutelage of Mark Fewer. In 2014, she received her Master of Music from the University of Toronto, studying with Yehonatan Berick. In addition to her role with Symphony Nova Scotia, she currently performs with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra and freelances in the Toronto and surrounding areas.

Ryan Vis, viola

Originally born in Seoul, South Korea, Ryan was adopted as a young child and grew up in New York. His path to music has been shaped by curiosity, discipline, and a love of connection – qualities that continue to guide his work on stage. He enjoys figure skating, hot pilates, cooking, and swimming, and values the balance that music and life outside music bring to one another. He shares his home with a cat named Sephora.

Ryan has appeared in a wide range of performance settings, from concert stages and recital halls to diplomatic events and special ceremonies. Recent highlights include performing at the 50th International Viola Congress in Paris, where he presented Canadian works alongside immersive visual landscapes from Canadian Geographic. He has also given a featured recital at the National Arts Centre with pianist Carson Becke, and was a finalist in the PRISMA Festival Concerto Competition.

As a chamber and orchestral musician, Ryan has performed for Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau, as well as for the Korean Cultural Centre and the Embassies of Spain, Finland, Germany, and France. He has served as Guest Principal of the Kingston Symphony and Principal of the Ottawa Pops Orchestra, and performs regularly with the Candlelight Series – appearing in more than 25 programs across Canada.

Recently appointed to the viola section of Symphony Nova Scotia, Ryan is excited for the 2026/27 season.

He holds a Master’s of Music from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor’s degree from McGill University, having studied with Michael van der Sloot, Frédéric Lambert, and Andre Roy. Ryan performs on a viola crafted by Theo Marks.

Rachel Desoer, cello

Rachel Desoer is a Canadian cellist. She studied at the Juilliard School, Oberlin College, McGill University, and the Banff Centre. She graduated from Oberlin in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music.

Rachel was the cellist of the Cecilia String Quartet from 2010 to 2018. In this ensemble, Rachel toured extensively around the world, recorded four albums on the Analekta label, and taught chamber music at the University of Toronto.

Touring has allowed Rachel to perform at such inspiring venues as Wigmore Hall, The Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Konzert Haus Berlin, and many more. The Cecilia Quartet also made educational programming a priority, and performed hundreds of presentations for schools. In 2014, the quartet created a concert series called Xenia Concerts specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Exemplifying their commitment to the equal representation of women in music, Rachel spearheaded the commissioning of four string quartets by Canadian women composers in 2016.

Rachel continues to play recitals and concertos with orchestras regularly. She has worked most notably with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Canadian Opera Company. Two of her recordings have been nominated for JUNO Awards. Currently, Rachel is the Principal Cello of Symphony Nova Scotia.

Rachel performs on a Vuillaume cello from ca. 1850, generously loaned by the Symphony Nova Scotia Society.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I receive my tickets?
Electronic tickets are emailed immediately after purchase to the email address used at checkout. Please keep your tickets handy on your smart phone or bring a printed copy with you to the concert so we can scan them at the door. If you do not receive your tickets, please check your spam or junk folder, as ticket emails are sometimes blocked or filtered by email providers. You may also wish to search your inbox for “Cecilia Concerts” or your order confirmation. If you still cannot find your tickets, please contact the Cecilia Concerts office before the concert and we’ll be happy to help. Rest assured, if you purchased tickets, your name will also be on our guest list at the door.

What time should I arrive?
Doors open at 1:30pm, and the concert begins at 2:00pm. We recommend arriving a little early so you have time to have your ticket scanned, find a seat, and get settled before the performance begins.

How long is the concert?
Daylight Concerts are approximately one hour long with no intermission. Following the performance, you’re invited to stay for complimentary coffee, tea, and refreshments, with time to visit and socialize.

Do I have to stay for the reception?
Not at all. The post-concert reception is an optional part of the Daylight Concerts experience. You’re welcome to stay for refreshments and conversation or head home following the performance.

Can I arrive late?
Latecomers will be seated at an appropriate break in the performance, when possible. Since Daylight Concerts have no intermission, we recommend arriving before the 2:00pm start time.

What is the seating like?
Tickets are general admission. The Stage at St. Andrew’s has unassigned seating, with chairs on the main floor and pews in the balcony. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that the balcony is accessible by stairs only. Wheelchair-accessible seating and companion seating are available on the main floor. If you have an accessibility-related seating need, please let us know when you arrive and we’ll be happy to assist.

Are children welcome?
Yes. While Daylight Concerts have been developed especially with older adults in mind, everyone is welcome. Performances are approximately one hour long with no intermission.

What should I know about concert etiquette?
If you are new to classical concerts, you are very welcome. We simply ask that audience members help create a quiet and respectful environment for the artists and those around them. Please silence your phone before the concert begins, avoid talking during the performance, and wait for pauses between pieces to move around when possible.

When should I clap?
It is always fine to clap when a full piece has ended. Some longer works have several movements, with short pauses in between, and audiences usually wait until the entire work is finished before applauding. If you are unsure, it is perfectly okay to wait and follow the rest of the audience.

Can I use my phone during the concert?
Please silence your phone before the concert begins. We ask that phones and bright screens not be used during the performance, as they can be distracting to artists and audience members.

Can I take photos or videos?
Photos are welcome before or after the concert. Unless otherwise announced, photography, audio recording, and video recording are not permitted during the performance.

What accessibility features are available?
The Stage at St. Andrews is wheelchair accessible and includes accessible washrooms with ramp access. Companion seating is available if required. If you have a specific accessibility question before attending, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Is the venue scent-sensitive?
To help make the concert comfortable for everyone, we ask guests to avoid wearing strong scents or fragrances.

Is there parking or public transit nearby?
The Stage at St. Andrews is located on the corner of Robie Street and Coburg Road. There is no parkade at the venue, but street parking is available in the surrounding area. The venue is also located near major South End Halifax Transit routes.

What happens if there is a storm?
If a storm may affect a performance, ticket holders are encouraged to call the Cecilia Concerts office at 902-423-0143 for a recorded concert update. Updates will also be posted on the Cecilia Concerts website and social media channels.

What happens if a concert is changed, postponed, or cancelled?
Concert schedule changes are very rare, but storms or other unexpected circumstances may occasionally require us to make adjustments. If a concert is changed, postponed, or cancelled, ticket holders will be contacted as soon as possible with available options. Depending on the circumstances, you may choose to attend the rescheduled concert, receive a credit toward a future Cecilia Concerts performance, request a refund, or convert the value of your ticket into a charitable donation tax receipt.