Cellist Joanne Yesol Choi Awarded Virginia Parker Prize

A cellist who spent her formative years at The Royal Conservatory has been awarded the prestigious Virginia Parker Prize from the Canada Council. Joanne Yesol Choi received the 2025 honour, which comes with a $30,000 award, in recognition of her superlative artistry and contributions to Canada’s musical landscape.

“Winning this prize is one of the most defining moments of my career,” Choi wrote on Instagram. “To be recognized not just for where I’ve been, but for where I hope to go, is profoundly meaningful.”

Emerging Talent in Canadian Classical Music

Choi has distinguished herself as a leading voice in chamber music. She was recently named one of CBC’s 30 hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30. A founding member of the acclaimed Dior Quartet (formerly quartet-in-residence at The Glenn Gould School), she has performed on major stages from Koerner Hall to Carnegie Hall to the Banff Centre, captivating audiences with her emotional depth, technical mastery, and commitment to musical storytelling.

In addition to her performance career, Choi is a devoted educator, author and advocate for accessibility in the arts. She has served as guest lecturer at Stanford University and the University of Toronto, coached ensembles through The Royal Conservatory’s programs and the Mostly Modern Festival, and spearheaded two innovative initiatives — Solegio Arts and Art of Four — dedicated to cultivating inclusion and diversity within classical music.

While her bachelor's and master's degrees come from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Choi’s connection to The Royal Conservatory of Music runs deep. She began her training at the RCM’s renowned Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, where she spent four years honing her craft in an intensive pre-college environment. In 2021, she returned to the RCM as a Rebanks Fellow at The Glenn Gould School, joining a cohort of postgraduates preparing for international careers. As cellist of the Dior Quartet, she performed regularly at Koerner Hall, mentored young musicians, and contributed to the RCM’s artistic community. Her ongoing involvement — as performer, educator, and mentor — reflects a sustained and meaningful relationship with the RCM that continues to shape her artistic journey.

“We are delighted to see Joanne recognized in this way,” said Barry Shiffman, Director of the Taylor Academy and Assistant Dean of the Glenn Gould School. “She is an artist of exceptional creativity, which she explores through music and beyond. From her early years at Taylor Academy through her time as Rebanks Fellow at The Glenn Gould School she has stood out as someone to watch.“

The Significance of the Virginia Parker Prize

Established in 1982 by the late Virginia Parker and administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Virginia Parker Prize honours outstanding young classical musicians under the age of 32 who show exceptional talent, musicianship, and artistic promise. The $30,000 award is designed to support the winners’ continued artistic growth and to amplify their impact on Canada and the international music community.

In a post on Instagram, Choi said she was honoured to be the first Korean-Canadian in 26 years to win the award.

This year’s jury recognized Choi not only for her captivating performances and recordings but also for her visionary leadership and pioneering work in creating a more inclusive classical music ecosystem. Her multifaceted contributions reflect the prize’s mission: to foster talent that enriches cultural life and paves the way for future generations of artists.