2026 Adjudicators

Eslin McKay first picked up a violin at the age of three, beginning her musical education in the Suzuki method. She has since graduated with high honours in Violin Performance from the University of Toronto, received a Masters in Early Childhood Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University and is currently completing a PhD in Communication and Culture at Toronto Metropolitan University. She teaches in the Oscar Peterson School at the Royal Conservatory of Music as well as at the Toronto School for Strings and Piano. Eslin is an active member with the Royal Conservatory’s College of Examiners.

Eslin is the violinist in Respire, a Toronto based band that writes cinematic, genre-defying music blending classical orchestral composition with screamo and hardcore elements. Signed to Dine Alone Records, Respire is currently writing their fifth critically acclaimed album. The band has toured extensively across Canada, United States, Europe and Mexico.

Eslin is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, as well as having her certification in Early Childhood Suzuki Education. When not playing or teaching violin, Eslin is following her other passions- baseball and singing- as the founder of a community baseball team and a neighbourhood choir.