Thirteen years ago, Nanaimo's Aisslinn Nosky moved to Toronto to pursue her love of classical violin.
After studying at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Hogtown, Nosky eventually received an offer to replace missing members of Canada's renowned Tafelmusik baroque orchestra.
Before moving to Central Canada she started her musical studies in the Harbour City.
"I was given my first lessons at what was the Central 91原创 Island Community Music School. It's now referred to as the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music," says Nosky.
The move to Toronto opened up new opportunities for Nosky, she says. And being in the orchestra of Tafelmusik gives her the chance to tour the country and many parts of the world.
While studying at the Royal conservatory, Nosky worked as a part-time nanny for a family in Toronto.
"It was great," she says. "They understood that my studies came first and they took me in. So, now it's like I have a second family.
"I started playing with Tafelmusik when they needed extra players and then two years ago they needed a full-time violinist and I won the audition."
"Tafelmusik means table music," the 28-year-old violinist told the Daily News. The orchestra specializes in music from the baroque period.
"Baroque refers roughly to the time from 1600 to 1750. We play music from composers like Vivaldi, J.S. Bach and we even play some Mozart," Nosky says.
All orchestra members are specialists in historical performance practice and perform on original instruments or replicas, a release from the VIS states.
Sunday, Nosky and the rest of Tafelmusik, under the direction of concertmaster Jeanne Lamon perform Metamorphosis: from Myth to Music at the Port Theatre.
The 2:30 p.m. show is a presentation of the the 91原创 Island Symphony.
Being with Tafelmusik means learning to live out of a suitcase, Nosky says.
"We travel around quite a lot. We do at least three or four tours every year: One in Canada, one in the United States, and at least one a year in Europe.
"I'm very lucky," she says, "I'm doing something I've wanted to do my whole life."
One of the highlights of her two-year stint with Tafelmusik was being in Europe for the celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday.
"We played at the Mozart Festival in Germany last year," says Nosky.
"It's nice to see the perception of classical music in Europe. There's a real appreciation for it there," she says. "I guess it is because it is such a part of the history there and it's where these composers lived and worked."
Though classical music is her passion, Nosky says the versatility allows her to play other genres of music when she's not playing with the orchestra.
"I do play a lot of other kinds of music, when the orchestra is not touring or rehearsing. I play in a band in Toronto," she says.
She's looking forward to performing in Nanaimo Sunday. Unfortunately, Tafelmusik's schedule won't allow for much time to visit with friends and family.
"We play in Victoria the Saturday night before and then we fly to Edmonton the day after the Nanaimo show. I will get to see my family for a short time, then it's back on the road."
IF YOU GO
Tickets for Tafelmusik's performance range from $15 to $40 and are available at the Port Theatre ticket centre, 125 Front St. or by calling 250-754-8550. The ticket centre is open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. and two hours prior to all show times.