Established 1996 • Registered Charity BN: 87738 1624 RR0001 • Markham, ON

Bridging Hemispheres Through the Universal Language of Music

For over three decades, the Ontario Cross-Cultural Music Society (OCMS) has stood as a beacon of cultural synthesis and artistic distinction in York Region and the Greater Toronto Area. Rooted in Markham, we weave authentic Eastern pentatonic heritages with the grandeur of Western orchestral and choral counterpoint—nurturing intergenerational dialogue and vibrant community belonging.

Explore Our 30-Year Journey

Governance & Leadership

Heritage

30+ Years

Continuously cultivating cross-cultural harmony in Markham since 1996.

Collective Artistry

140+ Musicians

Spanning our Adult Choir, Youth Ensembles, and Full Symphony Orchestra.

Civic Service

100% Volunteer

Governed by dedicated community trustees, musicians, and civic champions.

CRA Registered

Tax Receipts

Charity BN: 87738 1624 RR0001 with full financial transparency and reporting.

Our Unifying Mission

To enrich Canada’s multicultural community by bridging Eastern and Western musical traditions — providing musical education and training, creating meaningful performance opportunities, and actively supporting charitable and fundraising initiatives that strengthen the communities we serve.

Chronicle of Resonance

Three Decades of Symphonic Harmony

1996

the Overseas Chinese Music Society (Ontario)

was found and registered as a charitable and non-profit organization. The mandate of the organization includes providing musical education and training to Canadians of Chinese origin, creating performance opportunities, and supporting and participating in fundraising and charitable activities in the community.

April 1997

Choir

was founded by a group of vocal enthusiasts under the direction of the OCMS.

1999

Symphony Orchestra

is established as a dynamic platform for music enthusiasts to share their love for music making and appreciation. Our group provides musicians with high quality orchestral training and performance opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

September 2003

Youth Orchestra

was formed and operating under the Music Society. The Youth Orchestra comprises of young music enthusiasts with a skill of level 4 and under the age of 16.

April 2009

Ontario Cross-Cultural Music Society

in order to further the development of this organization as well as integrate multiculturalism into the organization, the Board of the Overseas Chinese Music Society (Ontario) decided to rename the organization as the Ontario Cross-Cultural Music Society (OCMS)

2012

Chinese Instrumental Orchestra

was founded in 2012 by a group of amateur Chinese music performers in Toronto. Since its inception, the group has gradually expanded to include all the major categories of Chinese music instruments with which traditional Chinese music is performed – “woodwind”, “bowed”, “plucked or struck”, and “percussion”.

September 2025

Children Choir

A newly established children choir dedicated to nurturing young voices through quality music education and joyful ensemble singing.

Music Director & Conductor

James Wu

OCMS Symphony Orchestra

Praised for his subtle, narrative-driven conducting style, James leads the OCMS Symphony Orchestra alongside several community ensembles including the Toronto Saxophone Collective. He holds a Master of Music in conducting from the University of Toronto, and is also an accomplished photographer and filmmaker collaborating with orchestras such as the Hamilton Philharmonic.

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Music Director & Conductor

Carina Chan

OCMS Choir & Children’s Choir

A versatile musician and educator with over 10 years of experience, Carina holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Toronto and is also Principal Clarinetist with the OCMS Symphony Orchestra. She performs with Markham Winds, the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, and the Governor General’s Horse Guards Band.

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Board of Directors

President
Simon Lau

Vice-President
Matthew Wong

Directors
Josephine Chow / James Wu / Angela Chan /
Mary Wei / Kevin Leung / Claudie Mau /
Susanna Leong

Honorary Patron
Stephen Siu

Honorary Artistic Director
President Emeritus
Chuen Tam

Honorary Artistic Advisor
Dr. Adrian Cheung

Honorary Legal Advisor
Theresa L.M. Man

Honorary Accountant
Andre Wu