Get To Know Your TSO: Meet Allan Cabral

Allan Cabral has been with the TSO for four years in his role of Digital Content Producer. His photography and videography can be seen all over our programs, webpages, and social media. He works with our musicians, special guests, and donors in the hall and all over the city.

You’re the person behind many of the videos and digital stories our audiences see. What goes into capturing those behind-the-scenes moments and turning them into something that connects with people?

It all starts with being present. Capturing content for an orchestra is like stepping into a whole other universe. There’s so much happening, not just in the music but in the behind-the-scenes work our audiences don't always get to see.

Every week at the TSO is its own world. New programs. New rehearsals. New performances. New audiences. Nothing ever repeats itself. When I’m at a performance or rehearsal, unless I’m working on a pre-planned project, my goal is to stay open. To watch. To listen. To capture the moment for what it exactly and truthfully is.

And then, a deeper side of the storytelling begins later, when I sit down to edit. Whether I’m working with photos or video, I’m always searching for a narrative thread that ties visuals together through honesty, humanity, and connection.

I should also mention that now, in my fourth year at the TSO, the orchestra knows me quite well. When they see me wandering through the hall, there’s a quiet understanding and a sense of trust we’ve built with each other over time. I’m extremely grateful for that. It’s something I’ll carry with me for life.

You’re also a musician—how does that influence the way you approach your work as a Digital Content Producer at the TSO?

Yes, I play the piano and harp (which I started learning during the pandemic), and I’m also a professional singer (find me on Spotify)! My background as a musician has a direct influence on how I work at the TSO, both when I’m on site capturing and later in the editing process. I tend to be very much in the music when the orchestra is performing, and trust me, that has a direct impact on my physicality—how I move in the hall, which has to be very stealthy at times. (My boss calls me the Jungle Cat sometimes, and I sort of love it because I know exactly what she means!)

I often listen to pieces ahead of time and flag specific moments I want to capture. I’m always looking for those points where emotions peak, where I can reveal the human behind the music. And that’s something orchestral music does so well. It’s its own universe, and you, our dear patron, will probably agree with me on this one: orchestral music is one of the most powerful shared experiences I know. It's a force that brings people together through sound, silence, and everything in between.

From rehearsals to community programs, you’ve seen a lot through your lens. Is there a moment you’ve captured that made you think, “This is why the work matters”?

God, so many! Especially considering that our work transcends what goes on in the concert hall. We’re in schools, libraries, hospitals, clinics, and mental health facilities. In all these community spaces—whether through teaching, healing, or providing emotional support—the impact of our work is undeniable.

Now, in the concert hall, I do have a favourite moment. I’ll never forget when the TSO played Beethoven’s 9th in our first season after the pandemic. It was so powerful. I felt like my heart had been cleansed and renewed after such a difficult year for all of us. I was happy to be amongst people. I took the streetcar home in happy tears, filled with gratitude for experiencing something so healing. I truly needed that.

That kind of moment can never really be replicated. It’s so unique. And the beauty of orchestral music is that we get to feel that power often—especially because our beloved TSO is a force of nature. At the end of the night, we carry that feeling home. Truly like a gift.

Much of the content you create is made possible thanks to donor support. What would you want donors to know about the role they play in making this kind of storytelling possible?

You, our donors, are an integral part of the TSO family. Your support not only nurtures this artform and helps us share these moments with Toronto, but, as I’ve mentioned, our work transcends the concert hall and has a direct impact on our community and future generations. Our work with youth across the GTA is particularly dear to me because I see the lasting impact of the education and support we provide— something these students will carry with them for life, whether they become musicians, lawyers, doctors, or pursue other paths. From my role as a Digital Content Producer, you’re also shaping how people see and feel about the orchestra. That connection is everything, and it all began with your passion for this artform and the TSO.

Thank you so much for your unwavering support. It truly means the world to us, and to me personally. If you ever see me in the concert hall or perhaps at the Maestro’s Lounge (I’m always in black), please don’t hesitate to say hi! I would love the chance to meet you and express my gratitude in person.