Strength + Sparkle

Erika Raum is a Canadian violinist known for her expressive musicianship, distinctive tone, and energetic performance style. Praised by Muzsika in Budapest for her “lively temperament” and warm, communicative sound, she began performing professionally at age twelve and achieved international recognition after winning first prize at the 1992 Joseph Szigeti International Violin Competition, where she also received the award for best interpretation of a Mozart concerto. 

Raum has performed extensively throughout Europe and North America, appearing as guest soloist with ensembles including the Budapest Radio Orchestra, Szombathely Symphony Orchestra, and Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra. In Canada, she has performed widely as both a soloist and chamber musician.

 Festival appearances have included the Beethoven Festival, Seattle Chamber Music Festival, Festival Pablo Casals de Prades, and performances at Carnegie Hall. 

A founding member of the ARC Ensemble, Raum has helped champion rediscovered 20th-century works, contributing to four recordings on the RCA Red Seal label, including two Grammy-nominated albums. Her discography also includes collaborations with pianist Anton Kuerti and recordings of works by Carl Czerny and Elizabeth Raum.

 A graduate of the University of Toronto, she now teaches at The Glenn Gould School and the University of Toronto.

Music Director Michael Newnham is best known for his intense and inspiring conducting style, based on a deep knowledge of the score and informed by a strong interest in languages, cultures and history. A born communicator, his open and direct contact with musicians and audiences creates performances full of expression and energy.

Along with his duties at the PSO, he is also presently (since 2018) Music Director of Orchestra Toronto. During his tenure as Music Director of Symphony New Brunswick (2009-2018), Newnham was instrumental in bringing that orchestra to new artistic heights and raising its profile on the national level.

In addition to his performances in his native Canada, Newnham has also appeared at the helm of many orchestras and opera companies throughout Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Italy, and South Korea.

Endowed with a special passion and gift for working with young musicians, Michael was the founding conductor of the Kawartha Youth Orchestra and has been a faculty member at Music at Port Milford for several years. His involvement in educating young musicians is not limited to Canada; he spent two years as a guest professor and orchestra conductor at Taegu-Hyosung University in South Korea.

Originally from Hamilton, Newnham is a graduate of the conducting class of prof. Bogusław Madey at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland. He also studied at the Indiana University School of Music and at the University of Toronto.

He is a recipient of several awards, including the “Order of Merit” from the Republic of Poland, the “Best Conductor” Award from the East Slovakian State Opera, and the Turzanski Award for his services in promoting Polish music and culture in Canada.

Before taking up the baton, Newnham began his musical career as a trombonist, playing with the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphonies, as well as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. He currently lives in Peterborough with his wife, cellist Zuzanna. He is an avid reader, proud father to two daughters and a passionate home barista.