About Us Staff & Board

Staff

Lawrence Cherney, Artistic Director

Lawrence Cherney’s first professional engagement as oboist was under the baton of Igor Stravinsky with the CBC Symphony Orchestra. He then embarked on a career as an oboe soloist of international distinction, commissioning more than 150 works for his instrument, and recording and touring these works on three continents. Cherney became founding artistic director of Soundstreams in 1982, and in the intervening nearly 40 years, has been at the forefront of Canadian music, often referred to as Canada’s “Ambassador of New Music”. Under his leadership, Soundstream produces an eclectic annual series in Toronto featuring new music and music theatre/opera and has become one of the leading organizations of its kind in the world.

Beth Brown, Executive Director

Headshot of Beth Brown

Beth Brown comes to Soundstreams from Nightwood Theatre, Canada’s foremost feminist theatre, where she held the Managing Director role for over seven years and was able to grow the organization, ensuring financial stability in order to further its impact and reach. Beth graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Music Degree, and went on to study Technical Theatre Production at the National Theatre School of Canada. Upon graduating, Beth worked as a Stage Manager and Production Manager on productions in Toronto and abroad for many years. In 2010, Beth became General Manager of Theatre Direct Canada where she contributed to the opening and managing of a new facility. Beth is a Board Member for the Toronto Alliance of Performing Arts (TAPA) where she chairs the Dora jury nomination committee. She is also a proud board member of the WeeFestival and Eldritch Theatre Company.

Graham Cozzubbo, Manager of Artistic Planning

Headshot of Beth Brown

Graham joins the team at Soundstreams, bringing his experience of thirty years in live performing arts, in Canada and abroad. A career of serving diverse artistic communities and a commitment to contemporary creation is at the core of his professional practice. His work has spanned much of the
industry, including a large body of work as a director and dramaturg in theatre and opera, arts administration, leadership and artist management. Graham has been an active educator for many years at the post-secondary level and professional companies, including the Canadian Opera Comp any, Cincinnati Opera, The University of Toronto, The Peabody School, Sir Wilfrid Laurier University and Toronto’ Glenn Gould School. During the 1990’s Graham had the privilege of a decade long association with the Banff Centre for the Arts. He served as an assistant artistic director and full time faculty of the Centre’s 20th Century Opera
and Song program. Highlights included chairing composer/librettist symposiums, directing and developing new work, collaboratively planning and leading residencies and singer/instrumentalist training programs centered on contemporary music and performance techniques. Mentorship, lifelong learning, music, creation, and artist advocacy remain at the forefront of his interests while navigating the rapidly changing arts and culture industry.

Kayla Milmine, Administrative Coordinator

Kayla Milmine joined the Soundstreams administrative team in November 2022. Kayla holds a BA in jazz performance from Concordia University in Montreal, where she lived before moving to Toronto in 2014. She has toured, recorded, and performed over the past 15 years as a soprano saxophonist involved in various musical projects. Her interest in arts administration, presenting concerts and performing, inspired her to co-found the Women from Space Festival in Toronto in 2019; a festival that celebrates the musical and artistic achievements of women in the fields of avant-garde music, improvisation and new music, during International Women’s Day week (March 8).

Kirk Thomson, Audience Engagement and Marketing Manager

Kirk comes to Soundstreams as Audience Engagement and Marketing Manager being a long-standing member of Toronto’s vibrant arts industry. During the last 30 years since graduating from York University with degrees in Education and Fine Arts Kirk has held a variety of roles in the performing arts community. He has worked with companies such as the Canadian Opera Company, Soulpepper, Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (T.A.P.A.) and Tarragon Theatre, where he left to join Soundstreams. He is excited to be joining Soundstreams and looks forward to turning new audiences on to the amazing experiences that Soundstreams offers.

Amy Wilford, Company and Programs Manager

Amy Wilford brings over a decade of professional experience across Arts & Culture, Education, and Technology sectors, with a focus on education & community outreach initiatives, program management, and event coordination. She has graduated from Western University with degrees in Music Performance and Arts Management, and is thrilled to be joining the Soundstreams team as Company and Programs Manager.

Board of Directors

Kate Applin, President

Although Kate Applin joined the board of Soundstreams in 2019, she joined the audience of the company in her childhood and is proud to continue supporting the organization in this new capacity. Kate works in business development at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. A lifelong lover and performer of music and the arts, she is a classically-trained singer and founder of MYOpera.

Coco Chen, Secretary

Coco Chen began playing the violin at the age of four. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music and earned her bachelor’s in music performance at the University of Toronto. A passionate performer of Canadian music, Coco has recorded works by Canadian composers including John Weinzweig and premiered works by contemporary composers during her undergrad days at U of T. Coco also holds a JD/MBA from U of T. She previously practiced corporate law at an international law firm and is currently an M&A underwriter at AIG Canada. 

Passionate about Canadian music and the performing arts, Coco is excited to combine her background in music performance and skills in her legal and business work to serve and further advance the vision and mandate of Soundstreams.

Tobi Oyebola, Treasurer

Tobi is currently a Business Program Manager at Microsoft Canada. She possesses over 15 years financial and investment management experience spanning across several industries including Financial services, Retail, E-commerce and Technology. She is a Chartered Accountant (ACCA) and a Certified project manager (PMP). She is passionate about empowering youths and adults alike to achieve more with what they have at their disposal. She and her family love and have a profound appreciation for arts and music.

Lawrence Smith, Past President

Larry Smith is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 40 years of experience with senior roles in many industries including retail, food services, cosmetics, entertainment, and home health care franchising in both financial and operational roles. Larry’s enthusiasm for franchising began when he co-founded a franchise system that specialized in gourmet cookies in 1993 and has never left the franchise world since then. After 15 years as Franchise Operations VP with a national home healthcare system, Larry opened a consulting business to help small businesses develop and launch their own franchise model. Larry has been involved as a member of the board for numerous non-profit organizations including his current position as Past President of Soundstreams.

Rebecca Cuddy

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Métis/Canadian Mezzo-Soprano Rebecca Cuddy is a member of the Canadian Opera Company Circle of Artists, the National Theatre School of Canada Indigenous Advisory Circle and is a Grand Council Member with The Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance. She is the current Indigenous Artist in Residence at the National Theatre School of Canada in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal). 

Michael Low

Michael is a Senior Wealth Manager with Raymond James Ltd.  He is cross border licenced helping clients across North America and beyond.  He has held executive positions in banking, payroll, pension and benefits, audit and was a CFO at one of Canada’s largest institutions.  He is past Vice Chair of the Annex Residents’ Association and past Chair of the Parks and Trees Committee.  He is passionate about protecting the environment and is also an avid cyclist.  As a new Board Member, Michael is looking forward to helping Soundstreams accomplish its many missions and objectives.

Volunteer

If you have specific skills that you want to share, we would like to find opportunities at Soundstreams Canada for you. Enjoy volunteering in a creative, diverse and dynamic environment!

How Do I Become A Soundstreams Volunteer?