Music Direction
Music Director
Assistant Conductor
Jin Zhang
Jin Zhang (Jack) is an internationally awarded artist. His recent acknowledgements are receiving AVIFF Award Cannes in France for his film score of “Lama in the West”, and the composition “Fire” received a nomination for Eclectic Song in the 17th International Independent Music Awards in USA.
Jin Zhang, associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, received his first musical education at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Then he traveled to Japan and studied at Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, Japan. He also studied conducting in master classes with maestro Kazuyoshi Akiyama and Seiji Ozawa.
Jin is a multiple recipient of commissioning grants from the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2006, he was selected by the Canadian Music Centre to be part of their new online initiative entitled "Composer Portraits - Influences of Many Musics." This project focuses on Canadian composers who have come to Canada from other countries, highlighting their valuable contributions to Canadian music. In 2004, Jin Zhang was honored by the City of New Westminster for ten years of distinguished service to the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, the film he composed music for - "Nu Shu - A Hidden Language of Women in China" - received the Audience Award and Best Documentary at the Festival Internazionale Cinema Delle Donne in Torino, Italy. In 1986, a composition of his won second prize in a competition in the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing. In 1984, he won the third prize in a nationwide composition competition in China. He also received an Artistic Achievement Awards issued by Vancouver Chinese Culture Centre. In 2016, the multimedia project “High Muck A Muck” that he did composition and sound design received Main Prize in an international competition in England. His compositions have been played by many major orchestras that include Vancouver Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic Symphony, Victoria Symphony and San Francisco Symphony.
Currently Jin Zhang holds the position of Music Director and Conductor in the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Youth Symphony Intermediate Orchestra. He is also an artistic director of Canada Chinese Performing Arts Society and New World Han Orchestra. He was a resident composer in Casalmaggiore International Music Festival 2015 in Italy, Artistic Director of Golden Maple International Film Festival in Vancouver and White Rock City Moon Festival 2019.
Janie Sinn
Janie Sinn is the assistant conductor for the Wallace Leung Memorial Internship with Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2022-2023 season. As a musician, music education advocate, and arts administrator, she is dedicated to supporting quality music education in the schools and inclusive community setting.
Since graduating from the University of Victoria with a Bachelors in Music Education in 2021, Janie has joined various music nonprofit organizations, building relationships with community groups and schools. She is the Administrative and Box Office Coordinator for Music in the Morning Concert Society. She is also the Orchestra Manager for the Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra, where she organizes, develops and oversees the daily operations of rehearsals, concerts and workshops. Simultaneously, Janie is the Large Ensemble Coordinator for the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festivals, where she leads and expands the large ensemble portion of the festival and the leadership program.
As a musician and conductor, Janie is passionate about sharing the art of music making with everyone, all ages, all levels. Janie recognizes the need for quality music education and support outside of the school environment and is dedicated to providing the additional support through community avenues.