Born and raised in Switzerland, Toby moved to Canada in 1989 and took an early interest in classical music and composing. He soon narrowed his interests to introspective and atmospheric music that ebb and flow in the realms of neoclassical and classical minimalism. Toby has been fortunate to study for many years with Tim Janz, who is an instructor at Mt. Royal University Conservatory of Music. In addition, he frequently collaborates and records with local instrumentalists.
Toby is an avid traveller, hiker, and skier and is always exploring new adventures in the mountains. He currently lives in Victoria, BC with his family.
PERFORMERS
Jillian Forster
Jillian Forster’s passion for music and the piano began early in childhood, growing up in a musical family. She enjoyed success in many piano competitions and studied with Janet Scott-Hoyt in Edmonton, AB, before completing a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with Bruce Vogt at the University of Victoria, BC. She performed the Scriabin Piano Concerto with orchestra during her studies and has been teaching piano for the last 25 years.
She enjoys frequent collaboration with local musicians and her role with the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival as Senior Piano Section Head. She also loves singing with the Vancouver Island Chamber Choir.
Molly MacKinnon
Molly is a violinist and collaborative artist based on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish people.
Doug Gorkoff
Doug is a Vancouver based freelance cellist, teacher and session musician.