Meet the Orchestra
Hok Kwan is a seasoned conductor and concert violinist with over three decades of experience across Asia and North America. He is the Founding and current Music Director and Conductor of both Symphonette By the Sea and the St. Croix Chamber Orchestra. Previously, he served as a principal violinist with Symphony New Brunswick, was a member of the Saint John String Quartet (1992-2003), and held the position of Concertmaster with the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra for twenty years (2003-2024).
A dedicated performer, Kwan has appeared on three continents as a conductor, solo recitalist, and concerto soloist with orchestras including the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Symphony New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra, and Nova Sinfonia. His performances are recognized for their technical precision and expressive depth, inspiring both musicians and audiences.
As Artistic Director of the St. Andrews Arts Council, he expanded the repertoire, raised performance standards, and launched an Orchestra Apprentice Program to support emerging talent. Through Symphonette By the Sea, he continues to champion music’s role in connecting communities and celebrating shared heritage. As The Chronicle Herald noted, “Kwan conducted the orchestra throughout the evening with vigorous tempi and thoughtful control of phrasing.” He describes his approach simply: “I like to think that I am the conductor and player at the same time.”
Dmitry came to Saint John via the Soviet Union, Mexico and Alberta. From age 6 to 17 Dmitry studied violin in the USSR. While in Moscow he performed with Ensemble XXI. In Mexico , Dmitry was Principal 2nd violin of Torreon’s Camerata de Coahuila Chamber Orchestra. There he met and married Melissa. Their family grew to four and the came to Alberta, where Dmitry performed with the Calgary Philharmonic & Red Deer orchestras. In 2016 Sistema hired him to teach violin here in Saint John. Besides being an accomplished violinist, who presently teaches privately and performs, Dmitry is an author. His first book is now available “Amazing Violinist” was published and distributed worldwide in January of 2020
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Rachel developed her musical training and career in the UK and Canada. As a performing artist, Rachel has been recorded and featured on CBC, RTHK, and BBC on TV and Radio, and as soloist, duo, chamber and concerto artist on three continents. She has represented New Brunswick in performances for dignitaries and royalties. A double award winner of the New Brunswick Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Rachel is working on her third music CD recording project after Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs (2003), and Songs With New Words (2012). She is program director of Serenades For Seniors, and manager of Symphony By The Sea Festival Gala Orchestra of St. Andrews Arts Council, NB.
Christine holds B.Mus.; B.Ed. degrees from Mount Alison University. She is from Saint John and is a retired member of the original NBYO, Saint John Symphony, ensemble The Eclectet, Symphony New Brunswick & teacher in the School District 6 String Program. Presently, Chris performs with the St. Andrews Gala Orchestra, string ensemble Goin’ Baroque, Fredericton Symphony and is a violist with Symphonette by the Sea-sur mer. Chris also continues to create chamber music arrangements of Jim Stewart’s folk music & other traditional music for performance by school, amateur and professional groups. https://epcommusic.com/
Gary earned a degree in music from Mount Allison where he majored in cello. He performed with NBYO and with The Eclectet. Gary has retired from the ownership of his company, Voice Factory – la boite vocale , the first digital recording studio in New Brunswick. He continues to sing and play keyboard with New Brunswick’s rockn’ roll dance band Donnie & the Monarchs and cello with Fredericton Symphony . He also plays cello & bass with string ensemble Goin’ Baroque and Symphonette by the Seas – sur mer
Born and raised in New Brunswick, Byrann Gowan always knew he wanted to be a musician.
He began Double Bass at age 10 and a few years later, became a member of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. After NBYO, Byrann continued to learn his craft in Newfound earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from Memorial University and playing in the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Next he was off to the University of Toronto where he earned his Masters of Music degree in Performance. Byrann is a Teaching Artist with the Sistema NB Fredericton Center. He has been a part of the Sistema NB program for the past seven years and performs with several ensembles throughout the Maritimes, including Tutta Musica, the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra, the Fredericton Symphony Orchestra, Serenades for Seniors and Symphonette by the Sea-sur mer.
Sara Lafferty is a musician and teacher based in Blacks Harbour. She began her strings career in Prince Edward Island under the direction of John and Jenet Clement, and continued her studies at Acadia University. She has played in various orchestras across the maritimes and Maine. She taught the string program in the former district 6 before becoming the music teacher at Blacks Harbour School, and also has a private violin studio.
Carolyn Myers is a violinist, multi instrumentalist, and a lifelong resource teacher (& chronically gratuitous proof reader). Carolyn is currently a resource teacher and music teacher at Valley Christian Academy in Quispamsis. She has studied violin & has experienced ensemble & orchestral playing in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Massachussetts.
Susannah (Suzy) McKenzie-Sutter is a violinist and violin teacher based in Saint John, New Brunswick. Born and raised in Georgetown Ontario, Susannah holds a Master of Music degree in violin performance & pedagogy and a Bachelor of Music degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Susannah has studied with celebrated violinists, including Nancy Dahn of Duo Concertante, Lynn Kuo of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, Jennifer Johnson body mapping specialist, and Roxalana Toews of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra. Susannah now works as a private violin teacher through her studio Spirito Strings and as a freelance performer in orchestral and chamber music ensembles. Some of her highlights include performing with Michael Buble in his Higher Tour Moncton show, with Symphony New Brunswick in select concerts, and as a soloist with Symphonette by the Sea. She is also a member and co-founder of the violin chamber ensemble Duo Fundy. susannahmckenziesutter-violin.com
Cameron is a violinist and violist based in Saint John. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, and enjoys performing both on violin and viola. He performs with the violin ensemble Duo Fundy and performs with various orchestras in the region. In addition to his musical endeavours, Cameron works in health research as a data analyst with the University of New Brunswick.
Ellen Buckley, Cellist
Ellen Buckley is a well known cellist from Quispamsis, New Brunswick where she grew up in a musical family. After ten years of making weekly trips to Fredericton for cello lessons with Rick Niall, she took her studies to the next level with George Neikrug at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. Currently, Ellen is an active member of the Buckley Ensemble, Symphonette by The Sea-sur mer, and also Symphony New Brunswick, sharing her love for music and connecting with audiences through a variety of performances. Whether she’s playing classical pieces, pop tunes, or exploring new compositions, Ellen’s enjoyment of playing music shines through in everything she does.
Symphonette by the Sea - sur mer 