The Grand Prix winners of the 2017 Canadian Music Competitions Grand Prix,  Charissa Vandikas and her duo partner, Linda Ruan (La Fiammata piano duo) have been named Youth Ambassadors for the CMC's  60th Anniversary Concert Tour . The duo won first place at the North-West International Piano Ensemble Competition as well as the top prizes at the Suzana Szorenyi International Piano Duo Competition in Romania. They were featured at CBC's In Concert on radio, and has premiered Canadian work for two pianos by composer, Julia Mermelstein.  Most recently, as the youngest piano duo finalists, they were awarded the second place award and the Henle Urtext Award of the 70th ARD International Music Competition.