PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Montreal, September 29, 2025 – The JM Canada Foundation is proud to announce that violinist Joseph Tsao is the winner of the 20th anniversary edition of the prestigious Peter Mendell Prize. This year, the prize was awarded $20,000 to the laureate, marking a milestone in the history of the competition.
For the first time, the competition was open from coast to coast to coast, welcoming talented participants from across Canada. Among an exceptional group of applicants, three outstanding finalists were selected: Félix Nunes (cello), Anna Stube (violin), and Joseph Tsao (violin).
The grand finale took place on September 28 in the afternoon at André-Bourbeau JMC House, in front of a packed audience gathered for this festive and memorable event. The distinguished jury was composed of Peter Mendell, patron and founder of the prize; Janelle Fung, pianist; Marianne Dugal; and Véronique Desjardins, Executive Director of the Foundation.
Joseph Tsao captivated both the jury and the public with his artistry, technical mastery, and deeply expressive playing. His performance was a shining example of talent and promise that the Peter Mendell Prize was created to celebrate and support.
The JM Canada Foundation warmly congratulates Joseph on this outstanding achievement and thanks all participants, jury members, and attendees who contributed to making this 20th anniversary edition a resounding success.
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The Peter-Mendell Prize
The PeTer Mendell Award was established in 2005 in honor of Peter Mendell, a lawyer with Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, music lover and amateur cellist. For 20 years now, this prize has been awarded to a Quebec string player still at school for excellence in playing.
The Peter-Mendell Prize Jury
This year, the jury is composed of Peter Mendell, the prize founder. It also includes Véronique Desjardins, Executive Director of the JM Canada Foundation, and Cameron Crozman, cellist and former JM Canada artist. Cameron was the CBC Music Classical Revelation for 2019-2020 and received the Virginia Parker Prize in 2021. Janelle Fung, a former JM Canada artist and professor of piano and chamber music at the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, is also part of the jury.
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Media Contact:
Véronique Desjardins
vdesjardins@jmcanada.ca
tél : 438-868-0853
