About Us
What You’ll Take Away from SENSES
- Emotional Renewal – leave feeling uplifted, inspired, and deeply connected.
- Mind–Body Harmony – experience the calming blend of music, imagery, and moments of guided stillness.
- Lasting Inspiration – carry moments of beauty and insight into your everyday life.
- Shared Connection – be part of a collective journey that bridges art, imagination, and community.
- Championing mental wellness – raising awareness and fostering meaningful conversations through music.
- Giving back locally – proceeds support HeadsUpGuys, a Vancouver nonprofit dedicated to men’s mental health.
- Created by visionaries – composer Wendy Yau Sum Cheung, conductor Kenneth Hsieh, and music therapist Dr. Alpha Woodward.
What You’ll Take Away from SENSES
- Emotional Renewal – leave feeling uplifted, inspired, and deeply connected.
- Mind–Body Harmony – experience the calming blend of music, scent, and breathwork.
- Lasting Inspiration – carry moments of beauty and insight into your everyday life.
- Shared Connection – be part of a collective journey that bridges art, wellness, and community.
Why SENSES?
- A one‑night‑only, fully immersive orchestral experience unlike anything else.
- Supports the mental wellness community by raising awareness and fostering conversations around mental health.
- Gives back to a local cause — proceeds help fund HeadsUpGuys, a Vancouver‑based nonprofit dedicated to supporting men’s mental health.
- Created by composer Wendy Yau Sum Cheung, conductor Kenneth Hsieh, and music therapist Dr. Alpha Woodward.
What’s the Show About?
- A continuous 90‑minute journey — no breaks, no applause interruptions — just seamless immersion.
- Performed by the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra with special guest artists.
- Blends world‑class live music with evocative imagery, optional scent experiences in the lobby, and moments of guided stillness.
- Crafted to lead audiences through a rich emotional arc, culminating in a sense of calm, connection, and renewed perspective.
Who is HeadsUpGuys?
- A individual leading men’s mental health program.
- Provides resources, practical tips, and personal stories to support men in overcoming depression and preventing suicide.
- Proceeds from SENSES directly support their work and outreach.
Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra
The Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra (VMO) is a non-profit society founded by Maestro Kenneth Hsieh in 2003. Its mission is to inspire the musical and personal development of talented post-graduate musicians through mentorship and professional opportunities. The VMO performs a diverse repertoire, including classical, contemporary, and Canadian compositions, and collaborates with opera companies, choirs, and folk music groups
Composer • Entrepreneur • Philanthropist
Wendy Yau Sum Cheung
Wendy Yau Sum Cheung’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, creativity, and community impact. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver after immigrating to Canada at age three, Wendy’s early life was shaped by her family’s pursuit of a better future amidst post-war challenges. A childhood operation and extended hospital stay unexpectedly ignited her lifelong love for music when her mother enrolled her in piano lessons to strengthen her arm. From those early moments, music became the thread weaving through every chapter of her life.
Wendy’s talents flourished under the mentorship of esteemed instructors Angela Kwan and Eliza Ip. Her teenage years were marked by countless hours at the piano and dreams of becoming a songwriter. At just 18, her dedication paid off: she signed a songwriting contract with Universal Music and became 1st Runner-Up in the Fairchild Chinese Canadian Songwriting Quest—cementing her belief that her voice belonged in music.
She later graduated from the UBC School of Music with a concentration in composition at 21 and launched her first entrepreneurial venture: the Mozart School of Music, founded to help her peers build careers in music. Yet, Wendy’s ambitions stretched beyond the stage. She co-founded Peak Performance Investments and later Alture Properties, emerging as a leading figure in real estate while continuing to nurture her passion for music.
Despite her success in business, Wendy felt a growing desire to return to her artistic roots. A life-changing recital rekindled her purpose, prompting her to leap back into the music industry—this time in Hong Kong. There, she composed for chart-topping albums and collaborated with some of Asia’s most renowned artists, proving that passion and perseverance can span continents.
After several years immersed in Hong Kong’s vibrant music scene, Wendy returned home to Vancouver, balancing real estate, music, and motherhood. She began directing large-scale musical productions and authored the book “Create Your Life’s Masterpiece”—donating 100% of proceeds to her scholarship fund for aspiring composers at Capilano University.
Wendy’s latest endeavor, Live a B Life Ltd., bridges her talents in film, scoring, and live performance across Vancouver and Hong Kong. At the heart of her work is a drive to inspire—whether through melody, mentorship, or meaningful change.
Conductor • Educator • Cultural Connector
kenneth hsieh
Born in Edmonton to Taiwanese immigrant parents, Ken Hsieh is an internationally acclaimed conductor whose career blends artistry, perseverance, and cultural connection. Initially trained in piano and percussion at the Royal Conservatory of Music and UBC, a hand injury redirected his path to the podium — leading to conducting studies in Japan and mentorship from legends such as Seiji Ozawa and Krzysztof Penderecki. By 22, he was Assistant Conductor of the Pacific Music Festival, working alongside Bernard Haitink and other world greats.
Ken went on to become the youngest Conductor‑in‑Residence with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, conducting over 100 performances, and in 2003 founded the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra (VMO), a nonprofit that has launched hundreds of young musicians into professional careers. His engagements have spanned the globe, from the Boston Ballet and Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra to the Shanghai Philharmonic and Japan Century Orchestra, across opera, ballet, film scores, and popular music.
A devoted educator, Ken has led youth orchestras internationally and taught at institutions including the National Tainan University of the Arts and the Vancouver Academy of Music. Honours such as the Heinz Unger Award, Jean‑Marie Beaudet Award, and recognition among the Top 100 Most Influential Asian Canadians reflect his impact both on and off the stage.
Dr. Alpha Woodward, PhD, MTA, FAMI
Dr. Alpha Woodward is a Canadian music therapist, educator, and humanitarian whose work at home and abroad has spanned clinical practice and leadership roles in higher education and fieldwork assignments in regions affected by war. An accredited Music Therapist and Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery, she holds a PhD in Leadership and Change, with research focused on music therapy, resilience, and cultural restoration in post‑conflict regions.
From 2004 to 2007, she served as field director for an international music therapy team in Bosnia and Herzegovina, working alongside children and youth as they rebuilt their lives after the trauma of the Balkan wars. This experience strengthened her lifelong conviction in the power of music and the arts as catalysts for personal healing and bridges for intercultural reconciliation.
Since 2010, Dr. Woodward has led innovative music therapy programs across Canada, Ireland, and the United States, while holding faculty appointments at institutions including the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Marywood University, Wartburg College, and Capilano University. Her teaching and research focus on ecological music therapy, arts‑based leadership, and community‑centered approaches to wellness. She has recently shared her work at conferences in Ukraine, Japan, Argentina, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, and Canada, and was honored with Capilano University’s inaugural Alumni Award for Humanitarian Impact in 2007.
For SENSES, Dr. Woodward brings a rare blend of artistry and therapeutic insight, shaping the concert into more than a performance. Her guidance offers opportunities to experience the programatic music as a personal and shared aesthetic. Attendees will not only enjoy the beauty of live music, but also appreciate its capacity to express and transcend our human story.
Artistic Director • Voice of the Concert
Christopher Gaze
Christopher Gaze is best known as the Founding Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, which celebrates its 37th season in 2026. He hosts the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s popular Tea & Trumpets series and also their annual Traditional Christmas concerts.
Christopher plays a leading role in British Columbia as an advocate for the arts in general, and his passionate dedication to Bard on the Beach has fuelled its growth into one of the largest professional theatre companies in Canada, drawing a total of well over two million patrons since 1990.
His many honours include Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal, Honorary Doctorates from UBC & SFU, the Mayor’s Arts Award for Theatre, the Order of British Columbia and, most recently, the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
We are deeply honored to have Christopher’s voice as the narration of SENSES and look forward to guiding the audience on this journey with his presence.
Be Part of the Magic
We’re building something new — a visionary orchestra and an online school that brings music education to life. Join us as a musician, teacher, or student and help shape a community dedicated to artistry, innovation, and connection.
Details
Date:
November 29th, 2025
Time:
7:30–9:30 PM
Location
601 Smithe St,
Vancouver, BC V6B 3L4
