What is Contemporary Music Interactive?

FOUNDER and ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Sophie Reimer-Epp is a Winnipeg-born violinist with a passion for orchestral playing and contemporary music. A five-time winner of the Highest Mark in Manitoba for her Royal Conservatory of Music practical exams, Sophie Reimer-Epp studies at the University of Toronto, completing her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Dr Timothy Ying. Sophie’s love of orchestral playing began at a young age and has taken her through eight years with the Winnipeg Youth Orchestras where she led as section leader and Concertmaster in all three orchestras, as well as numerous seasons with the University of Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in Toronto. She is an experienced solo performer, having competed for many years in local and provincial competitions. Additionally she has appeared as soloist with the Winnipeg Youth Symphony Orchestra, has been chosen as a Young Artist Performer with Virtuosi Concerts, and is returning to feature in a Pre-Concert Recital with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. In the summers Sophie enjoys attending a wide variety of music festivals, including soundSCAPE Composition and Performance Exchange, Orford Music Academy, Domaine Forget International Academy of Music, and Rosamunde Summer Music Academy. Sophie’s interest in contemporary music began in her teens with competing music by local 20th and 21st Century composers. Today, Sophie has had the privilege of performing and collaborating with countless colleagues and up and coming young composers. This includes her work with the Blank Canvas Sound Collective, performing and improvising with colleagues in Blonay, Switerland at soundSCAPE, workshops with Collectif9 ensemble members at Orford Music Academy, participating in Student Composer concerts in her Faculty, and performances of contemporary music with various orchestras and chamber groups.

CO-FOUNDER and ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Featured in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's top 30 hot classical musicians under 30, River Sawchyn is a violinist and composer from Winnipeg, Canada. He currently attends the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where he studies violin with Amy Schwartz-Moretti, Robert McDuffie and David Kim. Participating in local festivals and competitions since he was eight, River is a five time trophy winner at the Winnipeg Music Festival, has appeared as a soloist with the Winnipeg Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is a three time scholarship winner from the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg. River is a passionate student of chamber music, working with members of the Cavani, Emerson and Ehnes string quartets and enjoys performing chamber music throughout the year. Also busy writing music, River is studying composition at the Townsend School of Music with Christopher Schmitz, where he records and performs original works regularly. Recent projects include his debut EP Cycles and Stars and a premiere by the MusicaNova Orchestra in Phoenix, Arizona. River enjoys his summers attending various summer institutes across North America including the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Orford Music Academy, Scotia Fest and Domaine Forget International Music Academy. As well as an accomplished classical musician, River is a frequent collaborator with a variety of folk ensembles, choral and instrumental groups and is a skilled fiddle player, being invited to compete at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition in 2022. River appreciates music in all forms and enjoys performing in a wide range of venues.