our leadership
Sandra Yeung Racco
Chair & CEO
Sandra Yeung Racco, first elected in 2003, is the longest-serving Asian female politician in Vaughan and York Region. Over five terms, she championed community services, youth and seniors’ initiatives, and cultural development, while advocating for transparent governance. She collaborated across government levels to help deliver key infrastructure, including the 2017 subway extension into Vaughan.
Passionate about mentorship, Sandra empowers the next generation through leadership and education. As Founding Chair and CEO of the Vaughan International Music Festival, she created a platform for emerging artists, promoting diversity through performance opportunities and scholarships.
Katrina AY Racco
Vice President, Treasurer & Director of Operations
Katrina AY Racco leads with purpose, cultural awareness, and a deep commitment to community impact. Proud to call Vaughan home, she is passionate about building inclusive spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and connected through shared artistic experiences.
With three years of experience in the music industry as a manager, consultant, and strategist, she has worked closely with emerging talent, helping artists refine their vision, strengthen their positioning, and navigate the business of music. She champions York Region’s creative community, advocating for local talent and fostering meaningful opportunities while contributing to a more vibrant, culturally rich and inclusive regional arts landscape.
Dr. Marina Di Battista
Director of Partnerships
Dr. Marina Di Battista is a Toronto-based music educator, writer, and industry voice with over 20 years of experience and a Master’s degree from Berklee. She seamlessly blends academic insight with real-world music culture through her university courses, artist interviews, and content platforms like Marina After Midnight. Passionate about community building, Marina joined VIMF to help provide Vaughan’s rapidly growing music scene with a genuine, welcoming platform where both emerging and established talent can be heard and supported.
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Antonio Cocuzzo
Director of Programming & Artist Relations
Antonio Cocuzzo is an acclaimed Canadian guitarist, composer, and educator known for seamlessly blending Rock, Jazz, Classical, and global sounds. A summa cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music, his extensive career spans international performance, studio recording, and Film/TV scoring. Beyond his virtuosic stage and session work, Antonio is deeply committed to music education. He is the co-owner of Familiar Music Academy, where he and co-founder Daniel Monte leverage over 30 years of combined industry experience. Through a holistic curriculum encompassing performance, composition, and production, Antonio empowers students to develop lasting musical skills and unlock new modes of expression.
Kevin Nguyen
Director of Media
Talent agent and photographer Kevin Nguyen merges artistic vision with strategic artist development. Known for his work featured in Vogue and Times Square, he is a passionate advocate for emerging talent, dedicated to creating platforms that elevate the arts and amplify creatives on a global scale.
Maria Gimenez
Director of Volunteer & Youth Engagement
Creative project strategist and road manager Maria Gimenez brings over eight years of event production experience to her North American tours with Fun and Faith. Having grown up in Vaughan, she joined VIMF to help build a diverse, culture-rich festival that connects talent and audiences through seamless execution and powerful live experiences.
MATHEW TEOFILO
Strategic Advisor
Mathew Teofilo is a singer, songwriter, pianist, producer, and owner of Songsbury Studios in Vaughan, ON. He has worked with such artists as Madonna, Miley Cyrus, and Diplo and has a gold record for his work on Diplo’s “Revolution”.
Mathew not only has a passion for creating music, but also for live shows and for helping strengthen the music community around him. Mathew was eager to be a part of VIMF since the festival and its creators and collaborators all share in his same passion.
Eugene Cheung
AMBASSADOR
Over the years, Eugene has captivated audiences at esteemed events, especially at the Vaughan International Music Festival.
Eugene’s remarkable journey serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to musical excellence and his capacity to captivate audiences worldwide, his solo releases “A Lifetime” and “Shadow Gambit” both successfully charted on Guangdong Radio and Television’s Cantonese Pop Chart. In 2025, his single “When We Meet Again” made a breakthrough on the Music Pioneer Chart, earning its first-ever No. 1 position. This milestone established Eugene as the first Canada-based Chinese artist to achieve a No. 1 song on the chart, marking a remarkable achievement.
LAL Dayaram
co-founder
For over six decades, LAL Dayaram has been a visionary force in the music world, discovering and nurturing more than 100 artists across Hong Kong and Canada — including icons like Teresa Teng, Sam Hui, Wong Fei, Amei, Sarah Chen, and Tsoi Kwok Kuen. A true architect of voices, his ear for talent and unwavering dedication reshaped Asian pop music.
Far from stepping back, LAL co-founded the Vaughan International Music Festival in 2021 with Former City Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco, championing emerging Canadian Chinese artists and creating pathways for young talent on an international stage. His mentorship continues to inspire, most recently guiding the rising star Eugene Cheung. With passion as strong as ever, LAL proves that legacy isn’t just built — it’s passed on. His life’s work echoes in every voice he’s lifted.
