Applications: 2023 Teen Composer Award (Now Closed)

The 7th Annual Teen Composer Award

The Teen Composer Award (TCA) provides an invaluable and practical composition experience for one high-school aged composer through one-on-one composition mentorship, professional development and an introduction to the Canadian contemporary music community. The program includes participation in the workshop and rehearsal process and culminates in a live performance by the Continuum Ensemble on our main stage concert series.

Application deadline: October 24, 2022

During the late fall and winter of 2022 and early 2023, the selected composer will be mentored online by professional Canadian composer Lieke van der Voort, who will serve as a guide for the composition process. Lessons may be in person or via Zoom.


The recipient of the award will compose a 5-8 minute work for string quartet to be performed by Continuum musicians, including Aaron Schwebel, violin, Carol Fujino, violin, and Paul Widner, cello (viola TBA).

The selected composer’s work will receive a live performance on June 9, 2023 at our concert Spore Wind co-presented by The Music Gallery (918 Bathurst, Toronto). The recipient will receive high quality video and audio of the performance; this documentation will also be shared via Continuum’s online platforms.

To Apply

Please send an email to christina@continuummusic.ca with the subject “Teen Composer Award” by Monday, October 24, 2022 which includes:

  • one or two links (Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, Bandcamp etc.) for audio or video of your music
  • a PDF of one score
  • a paragraph in the body of the email about your interest in the program.
Lieke van der Voort, Composer Mentor

Teen composers residing in Canada are invited to apply. Continuum does not cover travel or accommodation expenses to attend the premiere performance.

Previous Recipients

Cindy Chen (2017), Erik Kreem (2018), Sarah Lu (2019), Zack Payne (2020), Sointu Aalto (2021), Britney Dawn Do (2022)