Art Matters Blog

Sunday Concert: Darrett Zusko

April 16th, 2010

The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in the Gallery’s Walker Court, where talented RCM students present weekly performances.

This Sunday marks the last concert in this spring's series, and features Darrett Zusko on piano.

Frequently engaged by a number of today’s leading symphonic ensembles including the Cincinnati, Montréal, and Toronto Symphony Orchestras, in addition to the Ottawa Symphony, Niagara Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic under the batons of JoAnn Falletta, Jacques Lacombe, Erich Kunzel, Victor Feldbrill and John Morris Russell to name only but a few, Mr. Zusko is fast becoming one of Canada’s most sought-after soloists.

Concerts are held from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

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Sunday Concert: Summer Winds Quintet

April 9th, 2010

The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in the Gallery’s Walker Court, where talented RCM students present weekly performances.

Anita Lin, flute; Sara Spigott, oboe; Anthony Thompson, clarinet; Brett Freithaler, bassoon; and Julie Rochus, horn

(Photo courtesy RCM)

This week's concert on Sunday, April 11, features the quintet, Summer Winds, which was formed in the fall of 2009.

Its members hail from various parts of Canada and the U.S. All have performed extensively in chamber and orchestral ensembles and are currently studying at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory. The quintet includes Anita Lin, flute; Sara Spigott, oboe; Anthony Thompson, clarinet; Brett Freithaler, bassoon; and Julie Rochus, horn.

Concerts are held from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission. Next week’s concert on April 18 will be the last in this winter’s series, and will feature Darrett Zusko on piano.

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Sunday Concert: Cellist Hannah Wolkstein and Pianist Suren Barry

April 1st, 2010

Hannah Wolkstein

(Hannah Wolkstein; photo courtesy RCM)

This week's Royal Conservatory of Music concert in the AGO’s Walker Court features cellist Hannah Wolkstein, with pianist Suren Barry.

Hannah Wolkstein is a cellist currently studying at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto. Hannah has attended the Meadowmount School of Music, Encore School for Strings, Henry Mancini Institute, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Innsbrook Institute, Quartet Program and the Pablo Casals Festival in Prades, France. While attending Interlochen, she was a member of the World Youth Symphony and performed with Itzhak Perlman.

Suren Barry was the winner of the 2006 Ontario Music Festival Association competition in the open piano category, and also represented Ottawa at this competition in 2007 and 2008. A frequent recitalist in Ottawa, he performs in various venues with benefits going toward causes such as the Children of the Nork Marash Orphanage in Armenia as well as the Ottawa Food Bank. In the summer of 2007, he was showcased in two concerts as a "Rising Star" in the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. Suren is currently studying at the Glenn Gould School.

The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in the Gallery’s Walker Court, where talented RCM students present these weekly performances. Concerts are held from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

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Sunday Concert: Valerie Gordon and Bijan Sepanji

March 26th, 2010

Valerie Gordon and Bijan Sepanji

This week's Royal Conservatory of Music concert in the AGO’s Walker Court features East/West violin duo Valerie Gordon and Bijan Sepanji.

The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in Walker Court, where talented RCM students present these weekly performances.

The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in Walker Court, where talented RCM students present these weekly performances.

Bijan Sepanji and Valerie Gordon have been playing together as a duet for three years, with numerous styles of music – from Persian improvisational to contemporary electro-acoustic to a wide range of classical. From Bach to Rosza, they have been had a chance to explore the unique and virtuosic timbre of a violin duet, and most recently played for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Great Grants Award Ceremony.

Sunday concerts are held in Walker Court from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

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Sunday Concert: Pianist Hyoseon Sunny Kim

March 12th, 2010

Hyoseon Sunny Kim

The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in Walker Court, where talented RCM students present weekly performances.

This week's concert features pianist Hyoseon Sunny Kim.

Born in Korea, Hyoseon Sunny Kim began her musical education at the age of 5, and moved to Canada when she was 12 years old. She enrolled in the RCM’s Young Artists’ Performance Academy program, performing at the master classes. She was awarded first prize in York Region’s Celebration of the Arts in 2006, and in Kiwanis Music Festival’s Trophy and Silver Tray classes, and many others. Previously attending the University of Western Ontario as a continuing admission scholarship recepient, she is currently studying at the RCM’s Glenn Gould School as a scholarship student.

Sunday concerts are held in Walker Court from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

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Sunday Concert: Tenor Michael Ciufo

March 5th, 2010

The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in Walker Court. Talented RCM students present weekly performances right through spring 2010.

This week's concert features tenor Michael Ciufo, with pianist David Eliakis.

Canadian tenor Michael Ciufo is quickly becoming known for his stage presence, charisma, and gorgeous voice. His opera experience includes Mozart’s "The Marriage of Figaro", the Canadian premiere of Respighi’s "The Sleeping Beauty", and Handel’s "Joshua" with the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, and much more. Michael is a third year Sidgwick Scholar with the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, and is currently enrolled in the Artist Diploma Program at the Glenn Gould School studying voice.

Sunday concerts are held in Walker Court from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

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Sunday Concert: Mezzo Soprano and Pianist Cassandra Warner

February 12th, 2010

Cassandra Warner

(Photo courtesy RCM)

The AGO and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) continue to host Sunday afternoon concerts by talented RCM students through spring 2010. Concerts are held in the AGO’s Walker Court from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

This Sunday’s concert, February 14, features mezzo soprano and pianist Cassandra Warner.

Hailed as "an enchanting Cherubino" by Ken Winters of the Globe and Mail, a "powerful mezzo" and "sensory epiphany" by Opera Canada, Warner kicks off her 2010/2011 season playing the role of Cendrillon, Cendrillon by Massenet this March at the new Koerner Hall in Toronto.

Cassandra is a recent finalist in the 2010 RCO Concerto Competition at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She made her principal debut at Opera Atelier as First Priestess, Iphigenie en Tauride. An accomplished concert artist, she has been featured on CBC television & radio, and Toronto’s Classical 96.3FM. In 2007 she toured China with The Divas, a vocal trio presenting a program that was broadcast nationwide on Chinese television and radio.

Ms. Warner is the recipient of the Glenn Gould School’s highest scholarship in Voice, the Lily Kertes Rolin International Prize in Vocal Studies, and holds a Performance Diploma from the Glenn Gould School. This summer Warner has been invited to join Joan Dornemann’s International Vocal Arts Institute, and later in the year she will be joining the Calgary Opera Ensemble.

Don’t miss the next RCM concert:

  • Sunday, February 28 – Claudia Chan, piano, and Melissa Wilmot, violin

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Sunday Concert: Pianist Connie Kim-Sheng

February 5th, 2010

Connie Kim-Sheng

(Photo courtesy Royal Conservatory of Music)

The AGO and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) continue to host Sunday afternoon concerts by talented RCM students through spring 2010. Concerts are held in the AGO’s Walker Court from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

This Sunday’s concert, February 7, features pianist Connie Kim-Sheng. She began piano lessons at the age of three, and was involved in numerous chamber groups since the age of 12, receiving awards and performing for radio broadcasts.

Connie has performed as a soloist with the Rio Hondo Symphony, Verde Valley Sinfonietta, Cal State Northridge Orchestra, and the YMF Debut Orchestra. Her awards include first places in the Young Musicians Foundation National Debut Concerto Competition, Rio Hondo Young Artist Concerto Competition, Los Angeles Liszt International Competition, the Bronislaw Kaper Awards for Young Artists held by the LA Philharmonic and 2009 California MusicFest.  Most recently, she was named a 2009 Davidson Fellow and placed third in New Orleans International Competition for Young Artists. She is currently studying at the Glenn Gould School.

Stay tuned for information on upcoming concerts.

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Sunday Concert: Soprano Vocalist and Pianist Taylor Strande

January 29th, 2010

Taylor Strande

(Photo courtesy Royal Conservatory of Music)

The AGO and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) continue to host Sunday afternoon concerts by talented RCM students through spring 2010. Concerts are held in the AGO’s Walker Court from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

This Sunday’s concert, January 31, features soprano vocalist and pianist Taylor Strande, who has been hailed as "the best on stage with natural acting ability and a clear arcing lyric soprano" by Classical 96.3.

Most recently, Strande has been seen as Josephine in Comedy on the Bridge and Despina in Cos fan tutte with The Glenn Gould School, and has also performed with the New Music Ensemble in Pierre Michaud’s Constat dune metamorphose among many other roles. She completed her Bachelor of Music from the U of T, and is pursuing an artist diploma from the Glenn Gould School.

Next Sunday’s concert – Connie Kim-Sheng on piano.

 

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Concert January 24: Violin duo Shannon Bowles and Hanna Matthijsse

January 21st, 2010

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The AGO and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) continue to host Sunday afternoon concerts by talented RCM students through spring 2010. Concerts are held in the AGO’s Walker Court from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.

This Sunday’s concert, January 24, features violin duo Shannon Bowles and Hanna Matthijsse.

Matthijsse has been featured as soloist with the Glenn Gould School Sinfonia, was a finalist in the 2009 Glenn Gould School Concerto Competition. She has performed as a chamber musician on CBC Radio, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, and with the Via Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School.  

Bowles has performed as concertmaster of the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, associate concertmaster of the Symphony of the Kootenays, and as a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra and Nelson Songfest Orchestra, among others. She has recently completed her undergraduate studies at the Glenn Gould School.

Don’t miss these upcoming concerts:

  • January 31 – Taylor Strande, vocal and piano
  • February 07 – Connie Kim-Sheng, piano

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