Angel Wang has established herself as a violinist of exceptional virtuosity in both China and Canada in solo, chamber and orchestral settings. She is also the founder, artistic director and principal artist of the Toronto based Phoenix Orchestra. The orchestra, a registered charity, was founded with a dual musical and societal purpose: to perform both Western and Chinese music on the main stages of Canada, and to act as a bridge between two cultures through a shared, passionate appreciation of exquisitely beautiful music.
As principal artist of the Phoenix Orchestra Angel Wang has sold out many performances with orchestra and guest artists, including the notable Toronto performances as:
“From Hollywood to Beijing to Vienna”, 2017, George Weston Recital Hall;
“From Bach to Beijing to Broadway”, 2018, Koerner Hall;
In 2019 Angel and the orchestra were invited to perform at the Beijing Concert Hall, in the prestigious “Meet in Beijing International Festival”. It was a tremendous honour. They presented a splendid, spirited performance and were given a standing ovation and well-deserved praise in the media.
The pandemic did not halt Angel’s performances. She appeared with members of the orchestra on the more intimate digital stage. Those concerts are available for unlimited viewing on YouTube.
In September, 2022, in celebration of society’s emergence from the pandemic, Angel Wang and the Phoenix Orchestra made a triumphant return to the stage with a sold-out live concert performance, “Winter Waltz” at Koerner Hall.
2023 was an exceptional year. In January Angel and the Phoenix Orchestra gave another sold-out performance at the Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre. Following this success they wrapped up three online concert presentations in celebration of Christmas, Chinese New Year and Canada Day.
In 2023 the Phoenix Orchestra commissioned a violin concerto from the remarkable Chinese Canadian composer Alice Ping Yee Ho. “Phoenix Rising” was written specifically for Angel and its international premiere was given by Angel and the orchestra at Koerner Hall on December 2nd, 2023 and later in 2024 recorded by them.
As a soloist in Canada Angel has performed on television and has appeared as a judge for numerous television competitions and festivals, including The Kiwanis Festival and The GOVAA NEW YORK international music competition. She has performed in the Toronto production of the hit musical “The Sound of Music” and was the concertmaster for a production of the Verdi opera “La Traviata” and a featured guest soloist with the Burlington Symphony Orchestra.
Angel has also appeared in concert with such notables as Roger Hodgson and international piano star Richard Clayderman. She was the concertmaster for three of Clayderman’s North American tours, and appeared with The Eagles on their 2022 North American tour.
Angel’s early study and career began in China where she was a member of the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra prior to coming to Canada for further study. She founded the “Angel’s Trio” touring China performing chamber music.
In addition to her diverse and busy performing activities Angel Wang is much in demand as a faculty member at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto where she leads a full violin studio. Angel is also a guest professor at the Wulanchabu Conservatory in China. Her students are frequent recipients of awards. Many are distinguished players pursuing careers in music.
As an immigrant to Canada Angel’s success is viewed with great pride by the GTA Chinese community. In 2022 she was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal in recognition of her service to the province of Ontario and that community.
2025 is beginning on an exciting note. On March 14th Phoenix Orchestra’s first recording, “Phoenix Rising” was released in both CD format on the Naxos Canada label and on the Apple streaming platform. Angel is the featured violin soloist performing the beloved “Butterfly Lovers” violin concerto, a selection of traditional Chinese folk tunes, and the new work “Phoenix Rising”.
Future plans for Angel and the orchestra include a concert at the George Weston Recital Hall in October 2025 showcasing new commissioned works by a Canadian composer, and a tour through Southern Ontario.
