Bragg Creek’s own Sabina Sandvoss is receiving national recognition for her artistry and excellence. The 21-year-old cellist has been named Second Prize Winner of the 2025 Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures Prize, one of Canada’s most prestigious awards for emerging classical musicians.
Sabina, who grew up in Bragg Creek and now studies cello at the Glenn Gould School under Hans Jørgen Jensen and Andrés Díaz, will receive a $15,000 award and be featured in performances and recitals throughout the National Youth Orchestra of Canada’s (NYO Canada) 65th Anniversary Tour this summer.
Sabina is one of just two recipients of the national prize and one of nine Alberta musicians selected for this year’s orchestra. Her musical roots run deep: she performs on a cello handcrafted by her father, luthier Christopher Sandvoss.
“I am very excited to meet all of the other participants and to play beautiful music with everyone,” said Sabina. “It’ll be a summer filled with learning, collaboration and fun. At the GGS, Maestro Naomi Woo came to conduct one of our orchestra concerts and I felt she was one of the most influential conductors we’ve had the opportunity to work with — and knowing the passion she has for music is fueling my excitement for NYO this summer.”
The 2025 NYO tour begins July 18 at Koerner Hall in Toronto, and includes stops in Ottawa, Vancouver, Nanaimo, and Victoria. Full tour details are available at nyoc.org/concerts/65-anniversary-tour.
Photographer: Bo Huang
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