Adjudicators

Gagnante d’un Prix Opus 2006 pour le meilleur concert de l’année en musique contemporaine, Claire Marchand est l'une des flûtistes les plus en vue au Québec. Elle a étudié au Conservatoire de musique du Québec (Gatineau) avec Gail Grimstead puis à Paris avec Patrick Gallois et Pierre-Yves Artaud et à New York avec Robert Dick. Elle a été invitée à jouer en tant que soliste aux festivals de musique contemporaine les plus prestigieux. Elle a donné de nombreux concerts et cours de maître au Canada, aux États-Unis, au Mexique, en Europe et en Asie, et est entendue régulièrement sur les ondes de Radio-Canada. Elle a été en nomination pour les Prix Opus, dans les catégories disque de l’année et création de l’année. Claire Marchand joue avec divers ensembles de musique de chambre et enseigne actuellement au Conservatoire de l’École de Musique Schulich de l’Université McGill. On la retrouve sous étiquette ATMA, avec un disque solo consacré au répertoire du XXe siècle pour flûte seule.

www.clairemarchand.net

Winner of the Opus Prize 2006 for best concert of the year in contemporary music, Claire Marchand is one of the most sought after flautist in Quebec. She studied at the Quebec Music Conservatory (Gatineau) with Gail Grimstead, then in Paris with Patrick Gallois and Pierre-Yves Artaud and in New York with Robert Dick. She participated as a soloist in some of the most prestigious contemporary music festivals. She gave numerous concerts and master classes in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia and is also heard regularly on CBC Radio. She was nominated for a Opus Prize in the record of the year and creation of the year categories. Claire Marchand plays with chamber music ensembles and is currently teaching at McGill’s Music Conservatory of the Schulich School of Music. She recorded a solo album on the ATMA label exclusively dedicated to contemporary music.

Lisa Iwasaki holds ARCT diplomas in Piano Performance and in Teaching from The Royal Conservatory of Music, a Bachelor of Music in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Southern Methodist University. Her piano studies have allowed her to work with teachers including Andrew Markow, David Karp, Fernando Laires, as well as, Nazzareno Carusi in Italy. Ms. Iwasaki's teaching experience includes group instruction, Yamaha music courses, Suzuki Piano, as well as traditional private piano from the beginner to the advanced levels. A former member of the faculty of the Community Education Division of the Eastman School of Music, Ms. Iwasaki joined The Royal Conservatory of Music faculty in 2004. A member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association, she is also nationally certified by the Music Teacher's National Association, and has written articles and given seminars for piano teachers and pedagogy students.

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Woodwinds / Bands
April 7 - 11, 2008

Mike Tremblay

Ottawa, ON

Mike holds a BA Mus from Carleton University, where he now teaches saxophone. While earning his degree he studied with Kirk MacDonald, and since then has studied with Alex Dean in Toronto, and George Garzone in New York. On top of building a career as a performer and a teacher, Mike has become well-known for his clinics, masterclasses, and has adjudicated for Musicfest Canada. Some of his performance and recording credits include Natalie Cole, Josh Groban, Red Skelton, Alanis Morissette, The National Arts Centre Orchestra, John Pizzarelli, Lou Rawls, Bob Newhart, The Stevens & Kennedy Band, and Frankie Valli. Recently Mike has been touring theatres throughout the United States as a member of Holly Larocque and the Mark Ferguson Orchestra.

Dr. Carolyn Hart

CAROLYN HART, soprano, is a frequent performer of recital, oratorio and orchestral repertoire. She performs regularly in the Chicago area and has toured extensively throughout Canada and Great Britain. Further concerts have taken her to Hong Kong, Korea and most recently New York and Paris. She especially enjoys the collaboration of chamber music and performs with a variety of instrumental ensembles. Her CD Not Your Usual Lineup features newly commissioned works for soprano, clarinet and piano. Carolyn holds degrees from the University of Toronto, and completed her Doctorate at the University of British Columbia. Further studies have taken her to the Banff School of Fine Arts (Boris Goldovsky); Britten-Pears School (Peter Pears) in Aldeburgh, England; and the Académie de Musique (Hughes Cuenod) in Lausanne Switzerland. She has adjudicated extensively throughout Canada and has also served as juror for the Canada Council and the Eckhardt-Grammatté Competition. Dr. Hart has served on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and is currently Associate Professor and Chair of Voice at Wheaton College in Chicago.

Jr. Piano / Choral / Organ
April 19 - 26, 2008
April 14 - 17, 2008
April 18, 2008

Dr. John Brough

John Brough began music lessons at an early age, singing as a choirboy with the Men and Boys’ Choir at Ottawa's Christ Church Cathedral under Frances Macdonnell. He attended the University of Ottawa and was awarded a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance in 1997. Concurrently he completed associate degrees with both the Royal Conservatory of Music in Organ Performance and the Royal Canadian Collage of Organists. While at the University of Ottawa, he sang as a countertenor soloist and chorister with the University of Ottawa Calixa Lavallée Ensemble, as well as an early music group, Musica Divina

Continuing post-graduate studies at the University of Alberta, he received a Master of Music in Choral Conducting in 2000, and his Doctor of Music in 2007. He has studied conducting with Lawrence Ewashko in Ottawa, and Leonard Ratzlaff, Debra Cairns and Malcolm Forsyth in Edmonton.

In 2000, he was selected from a field of international applicants as one of 12 participating conductors for a workshop at the University of Manitoba with Germany's Frieder Bernius of Kammerchor Stuttgart. In 2001, he was one of eight participating conductors for the 23rd International Conducting Symposium with Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir

Dr. Brough has performed with the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers, Pro Coro Canada and Ensemble de la Rue, and still sings with the latter two choirs. He has taught at Grant MacEwan College, where he conducted the Schola Cantorum Women's Choir. He is an award-winning instructor in the U of A's Department of Music where he is a visiting professor in the fields of conducting and musicology. He has appeared as an adjudicator in the disciplines of piano, organ, choral and voice in festivals across Canada, including Ottawa, Toronto and London Ontario, as well as Whitehorse, Yukon. He has also adjudicated the provincial festivals of Ontario and New Brunswick. Dr. Brough is the Artistic Director of Da Camera Singers, Edmonton’s longest standing chamber choir, Organist and Choirmaster at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Edmonton, and Associate Conductor of the Richard Eaton Singers.

His piano teachers have included Edith Orton and Douglas Voice (Ottawa), Organ with Frances Macdonnell, Karen Holmes (Ottawa) and Marnie Giesbrecht (Edmonton). He also studied piano pedagogy with Cynthia Floyd at the University of Ottawa.

His adjudicating travels have taken him as far east as New Brunswick and as far north as Whitehorse Yukon, where he has adjudicated in the disciplines of piano, organ, voice and choral music. Dr. Brough sits on the board of examiners for Conservatory Canada.

John is excited to be adjudicating for Ottawa this year, as he gained so much from competing in his youth at this Festival.

Sarah Davidson was born in Toronto. Her father was Dixieland Jazz Musician Jimmy ''Trump'' Davidson and her mother is Erica Davidson who was a violinist in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as well as a very fine violin teacher at the RCM.

Miss Davidson started her studies on the harp at age eleven-and -a-half with Judy Loman. In 1973 she made her debut as soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as so list again with the TSO, Toronto Chamber Players, and other orchestras. In 1977 Miss Davidson appeared as soloist and toured Scotland and England with the George Brown Orchestra.

In 1979 Miss Davidson became Principal Harpist with the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and from 1980-85 was also Principal Harpist with the National Ballet Orchestra. She has also played Principal harp with the Toronto Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and other orchestras.

Miss Davidson has been teaching harp privately since 1975 and was on the Faculty of the Royal Conservatory Of Music. She currently adjudicates for the University of Toronto, Glenn Gould School of Music, and various Music Festivals.

Currently, Miss Davidson continues to be Principal Harpist with the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, does alot of freelance work in the Toronto area and spends a great deal of time teaching privately. In 2006-07 Miss Davidson became a part-time Facutly of Music Member and is Resident Harp Teacher at the University of Western Ontario.

David Martin

David Martin est lauréat du Conservatoire de Musique de Quebec a Hull et l’Université Northwestern, ou il a gagné une maitrise en interpretation. Parmi ses professeurs sont Albert Devito, Ellis Wean, et Frank Crisafulli, de l’Orchestre Symphonique de Chicago.

Comme tromboniste, il a comblé les postes de trombone solo a l’OSM (trois saisons) l’Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal (4 saisons) et l’Orchestra London Canada (dix saisons). Il est présentement engagé comme chef du département de trombone a l'Université McGill, ou il dirige le "Trombone Choir". Il est présentement le professeur de trombone et Tuba au conservatoire de musique de Trois-Rivieres.

M. Martin a également obtenu un prix en Direction a l’unanimité, au Conservatoire de Musique de Quebec a Montréal, ou il a étudié avec Maestro Raffi Armenian. Il a étudié la direction de harmonie avec John Paynter a Northwestern University, et la direction d’orchestre avec Maestro Otto- Werner-Mueller a Domaine Forget.

Al long de sa carriere de chef d’Orchestre, qui date depuis 1987, Il a dirigé les orchestres de Detroit, Edmonton, Calgary, Windsor, Mississaugua, Symphony Nova Scotia, London (Ontario), Thunder Bay, Mesa, Arizona et Kitchener-Waterloo.

Il est fondateur et directeur artistique du "Griffon Brass Band" a Montréal. Egalement, en Juin 2006 il a été nommé Directeur Artistique de l'Union Musicale d'Iberville.

Il se produit comme tromboniste en récital chaque année et joue également du jazz, notammement avec Vic Vogel, Altsys et le groupe “Trombones Actions”.

En tant que arrangeur/orchestrateur Il a écrit plus que 70 arrangements pour orchestre, l’OSM et l’Orchestre du CNA.

David Martin is a two-time graduate of the Conservatoire de Musique de Quebec in both trombone and orchestral conducting. He also holds a Master’s in trombone performance from Northwestern University. As a trombonist, has held the positions of principal trombone of the Montreal Symphony, (three years) l’Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal (four years) and Orchestra London Canada (ten years).

David studied conducting with Maestro Raffi Armenian, (Conservatoire de Musique de Montreal) John Paynter, (Northwestern University) and Otto-Werner Muller (Domaine Forget).

In addition having had the responsibilities of resident conductor with Orchestra London Canada, David has also conducted the Detroit Symphony, and the orchestras of Edmonton, Calgary, Mississauga, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Mesa (Arizona), Symphony Nova Scotia and Kitchener-Waterloo.

He has collaborated with his friend, trumpet great Larry Larson on close to a dozen Pops shows, with themes ranging from swing to movie music and the music of the great solo cornettists.

As an arranger he has written close to 100 arrangements for orchestra with comissions from the OSM and the National Arts Centre orchestra, among others.

Dave also plays jazz, notably with the Vic Vogel Big Band and Altsys in Montreal. He is also a member of the 6-trombones-and-rhythm group “Trombone Action”.

He is currently artistic director of the Union Musicale d’Iberville, the Griffon Brass Band and the McGill Trombone Choir.

Gail Hakala

Gail Hakala is an accomplished singer, actor and teacher who has performed from coast to coast in all major theatres in Canada. Gail was a member of the Shaw Festival Theatre Company for nine years, a veteran of 20 productions. Favourite roles at Shaw include Minerva in Mr. Cinders, Bonnie in Anything Goes, Tinkerbell in Peter Pan and Netta Lake in Cavalcade. Other favourite roles: Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera (Pantages Theatre and the Canadian tour), Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show (Bathurst Street Theatre), Widow Corney in Oliver (Centaur Theatre) and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (Stage West Calgary).

Gail has also starred on the concert stage with Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley and Mandy Patinkin in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Pantages Theatre), Side By Side By Sondheim (Lunchbox Theatre), and Noel and Cole (Theatre Aquarius). Most recently, Gail was seen as Sister Mary Hubert in Nunsensations (Victoria Playhouse), Aunt Eller in Oklahoma (Huron County Playhouse), Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (The Sudbury Theatre Centre) and Mrs. Barry/Mrs. Blewett in Anne Of Green Gables(Charlottetown Festival).

This summer is off to play Mrs. Pearce in My Fair Lady (Huron Country Playhouse). When not gracing the stage, Gail can be found diligently teaching at Sheridan College in the Musical Theatre department. She has been the resident vocal coach at the Shaw and Charlottetown Festivals, Artistic Director of The Toronto Youth Music Theatre Company, Vocal Coach of Les Miserables (School Edition) for Stagedoor Schools and has adjudicated for the Kiwanis Music Festival. Gail has a Bachelor and Masters degree in Music from the University of Toronto.

Louise Chan

Louise Chan a native of Ottawa, Canada. Ms. Chan received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Fernando Laires. She is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Northwestern University, where her teacher is Alan Chow. She also holds an Associate diploma in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Ms. Chan is a past winner of the Canadian Music Competition and the Ontario Music Festivals Association Competition. She has appeared as a soloist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Northwestern Summer Orchestra, and has performed as a solo and chamber musician in the USA, Canada, and France. She also has a special interest in orchestral playing, and has been a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago as well as an orchestral fellow at the Aspen Music Festival.

The Sight Reading and Quick Study for Junior, Intermediate and Senior/Open piano will be held outside of the festival dates.
This does not include graded piano.

Morning and Afternoon at Westboro United Church.

Quick Study music will be available from the
Festival Office at 457 Edison Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1V1

Frederic Lacroix

Frédéric Lacroix has performed in the United States, Canada and Taiwan, including performances with the Albany and Ottawa Symphony Orchestras, Cornell Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Fusions, and the Society of New Music. He makes regular appearances on the radio, on the Canadian CBC and SRC or the American NPR. He has enjoyed collaborating with composers and performers in the premiere of a number of Canadian and American works and as a composer, he has been privileged to have his works performed in the United States and Canada. Frédéric’s latest song cycle, Nova Scotia Tartan (2004), is featured on Hail, a disc dedicated to Canadian Art Song. Much in demand as collaborative artist, teacher and adjudicator, he currently teaches at the University of Ottawa. A graduate of l’Université de Montréal and the University of Ottawa, where he studied with Marc Durand, Cynthia Floyd and Andrew Tunis, he is currently working on his Doctorate degree at Cornell University where he is studying keyboard performance practice with Malcolm Bilson. Frédéric has recently been named the Westfield Center Concert Scholar for the 2007-08 academic year.

Frédéric Lacroix s’est présenté en concert au Canada, aux États-Unis et au Taiwan, marqué par des prestations avec les orchestres symphoniques d’Ottawa, d’Albany, l’orchestre de chambre de Cornell, l’Ensemble Fusions et la Society of New Music de Syracuse. Il a fréquemment pour les ondes de la SRC et de la CBC ainsi que pour leur station sœur aux États-Unis, la NPR. Il a été privilégié d’avoir collaboré avec plusieurs compositeurs et musiciens dans la création d’un nombre d’œuvres canadiennes et américaines. Le dernier cycle pour voix et piano de Frédéric, Nova Scotia Tartan (2004), a été enregistré sur un disque consacré à la mélodie canadienne. Très en demande en tant qu’artiste collaborateur, professeur et juge dans le domaine de la musique, il enseigne présentement à l’université d’Ottawa. Diplômé de l’université de Montréal et de l’université d’Ottawa, où il étudia avec Marc Durand, Cynthia Floyd et Andrew Tunis, il est présentement dans les dernières étapes d’un diplôme doctoral à l’université Cornell, où il étudie l’interprétation sur les instruments d’époque sous la tutelle de Malcolm Bilson. Grâce à ses activités dans le monde de la musique ancienne, le centre Westfield lui a confié le titre ‘Performing Scholar’ pour la saison 2007-2008. Frédéric Lacroix effectue cette année un retour au Chœur Classique, ayant été leur pianiste durant trois saisons, de l’automne 2001 au printemps 2004.

Moshe Hammer

Admired for his artistic style, unique interpretations and vibrant tone, violinist Moshe Hammer remains Canada's most sought-after violinist. Hungarian born, Moshe Hammer was raised in Israel and first studied there with Ilona Feher. As a student of Jascha Heifetz he was a medal winner at the Concours Jacques Thibaud in Paris. Hammer’s tours have taken him across North America, Israel, Europe and the Far-East. His performances have consistently energized critics, thrilled audiences and earned respect among his colleagues.

As a naturalized Canadian, Moshe Hammer has performed with symphony orchestras and in concert venues around the world. He has been the leader of the Toronto based chamber group, The Amadeus Ensemble. As a member of Da Camera, he has thrilled audiences in Canada, US and Europe with regular visits to The Netherlands, including the world renowned Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Moshe brings to his performances a charismatic stage presence, a tone of unmatched subtlety, vitality and artistry of the highest order.

As a new venture Moshe joins Mike, his son the artist, in a unique program called ‘Beethoven Meets Pollock’. While dad plays the classics, Mike paints on canvas - A true artistic cooperation. Hammer offers violin masterclasses everywhere he travels. He has a wide ranging discography that reflects his multi-faceted talent.

During the past twenty seven years Irene Tandberg has established a thriving private studio in London, Ontario. She has produced a large number of fine students who have been the recipients of many prestigious awards and scholarships. She is an experienced and committed pedagogue, writing articles on both performance and teaching strategies.

Irene’s vocation for teaching drew her to Prof. Patrick Burroughs, the founder of Forest City Talent Education. In 1991 they began working together to develop a performance school (FCTE) largely fed from their private studios. Irene is the Co director of the school, which offers weekly master classes, piano coaching, orchestra, chamber music and recitals. It has grown to almost 300 violin, viola, cello and classical guitar students and has become a model for other programs.

Her studies began in Denmark with Wolf Notkin. She studied with Gwen Thompson and Dana Mazurkevitch at the University of Western Ontario and has had extensive Suzuki teacher training. She has performed with many orchestras and has been a principal player for Nota Bene and Arcady, who have produced a number of C.D.’s. Irene also performed with the quartet Octo Mani, which she founded in 1997.

Ms. Tandberg is a very active master class teacher, guest speaker, workshop clinician and adjudicator. She spends her summers performing and teaching at institutes and summer music schools. Irene is also a part time faculty member in the Performance Department, Don Wright Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario.

A graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Michigan, Douglas Payson Sturdevant was Principal Trumpet of the Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra for 24 years. He was often featured as soloist with the Orchestra on its national tours, and with renowned conductors such as Pinchas Zukerman, Trevor Pinnock, Mario Bernardi, Roger Norrington, Helmuth Rilling, Alexander Schneider, Eduoardo Mata and Charles Dutoit.

A noted pedagogue, he has taught on the faculties of McGill University, the University of Ottawa, le Conservatoire de Musique du Québec and the Crane School at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Many of his students hold positions in major orchestras and universities in Canada and the United States. He has also appeared as conductor with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, the University of Ottawa Orchestra and the McGill Brass Choir.

Mr. Sturdevant is a renowned brass and wind clinician, and has given master classes throughout Canada and the United States. He has been invited to adjudicate bands, ensembles and solo instruments at the Greater Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival, the St. John’s (Nlfd) Rotary Music Festival, the Queens County (P.E.I.) Music Festival and the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival. An advocate of distance-learning via broadband videoconferencing, he has logged over 250 hours of tele-mentoring to music student in schools and universities in Canada and the United States. Mr. Sturdevant is currently the Manager of Artist Training and Outreach at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Nancy joined the viola section of the National Arts Centre in 1979, having moved to Canada in 1977 with her husband Douglas (who was principal trumpet with NACO for 25 years). A student of Prof. Francis Bundra at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Nancy achieved a BMusEd (1968), and a MM (1969 Honours). Additional studies were completed at the Aspen Festival (with Lillian Fuchs, and Rolf Persinger), and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Prior to moving to Ottawa; she performed with the Princeton Chamber Orchestra (Nicholas Harsanyi, cond.), the Bach Aria Group of New York City, and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in Ohio (principal viola, 1975-77).

Former principal viola of the Ottawa Symphony (for both Brian Law and David Currie), Nancy was also a charter member of Thirteen Strings, and violist for one season with the Tabaret Ensemble. She has been active in the Music for a Sunday Afternoon Series at the National Gallery, appearing in concert with Lillian Fuchs, Misha Maisky, Gilbert Kalish, Paul Neubauer, Trevor Pinnock, Jaime Laredo, and Pinchas Zukerman. An equally dedicated teacher, Nancy conducted the Ottawa Junior Youth Orchestra for several years, and now works regularly with the viola section of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, coaches chamber music, and maintains a studio of young viola students. She was co-chairman of the National Coalition for Music Education in the Schools, Ottawa Chapter, and remains dedicated to achieving their objectives. The Sturdevants have three children; Rebecca, Beth, and Rob.

M.Mus. (Julliard), DA (Ball State University, IN)

As a soloist, collaborative artist, and member of PALENAI Piano Duo with Joy Innis. Adrienne Shannon has performed across Canada, in Europe, the United States, Korea, Israel, and the Ukraine. Concerto performances with major Canadian orchestras include the Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Victoria Symphonies, the Mostly Mozart Orchestra in Toronto, National Arts Center Orchestra and Calgary Philharmonic.

Broadcast recordings include CBC Arts National, RIAS Berlin, BBC, and WIPB in Indiana. PALENAI Piano Duo has received numerous honours and awards for their work in digital multimedia from Parks Canada, the Sierra Club of Western Canada, Canada Council, the Alberta Foundation, and Mu Phi Epsilon International Foundation.

Dr. Shannon was Head of the Piano Department at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Co-Coordinator of Fine Arts at St. Leo University in Florida and has served on the faculties of Alberta College, Mount Royal College, and Malaspina College. She and Dr. Innis were the founding Directors of the Pacific Rim Summer Festival on Vancouver Island and Directors of the Calgary Mozart Bicentennial Festival.

Dr. Shannon holds a Doctor of Arts degree from Ball State University. She is currently Coordinator and full professor for the Digital Arts for Musicians program at St. Lawrence College and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Queen’s University.

Dr. Michel Fournier

Praised both as a soloist and a chamber player, Canadian pianist Michel Fournier has performed with a number of orchestras and is widely appreciated for the many recitals he has given in Canada, Europe and United States. His repertoire covers a broad spectrum of keyboard music from different eras and styles. He has a special fondness for French music and has earned critical acclaim for the originality of his interpretation and his refined sound: "...a perfect knowledge of the expressive resources of the piano, a tour de force that ranks him among the masters of impressionist music." (Adveratul de Cluj-Romania, March 1996)Michel Fournier toured extensively with the world-class ensemble Quartango. The group won "Prix Opus" (a prestigious award from Conseil Québécois de la Musique)for best performance in 2005.

In June 2006, Michel Fournier was invited to give a TV performance for Telethon Operation Enfant Soleil, a well-known organization raising funds for sick children.He also has several Canadian Broadcasting Corporation(CBC) recordings and movie soundtracks to his credit. His CDs feature piano works by Debussy, Prokofiev, Bartok and Stravinsky.Michel has shared his artistry with numerous musicians and ensembles, including the acclaimed "Les Chambristes de Montreal" whose members also play with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. A regular performer in regional and inter-provincial festivals, he can be heard in Montreal's Mozart Plus festival, the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival and various Quebec-sponsored events.

He is renowned for his extensive knowledge of the violin-and-piano repertoire and eagerly sought after as a player in this formation.Michel has made a series of recordings dedicated to composers of Central Europe, highlighting the works of Szymanowsky, Janacek, Dvorak and Suk.As a student of French pianist Yvonne Hubert, Michel completed a master’s degree in Montreal before continuing his studies abroad, primarily in France and Austria. He also attended the University of Indiana, where he studied under Menahem Pressler.

Michel completed a doctorate in performance with Marc Durand and is currently associate professor at the University of Sherbrooke. Highly appreciated as an educator, he gives regular master classes and promotes his love of music by presenting frequent lectures and workshops.Michel Fournier's latest CD under MYR label features works by Bach, Debussy, Ginastera, Poulenc, Schubert, George Shearing, Erroll Garner, and two Canadian composers: Danielle Fournier and Alain Payette.

Paula has an affinity for contemporary music and has released a solo CD, which she co-produced, featuring 20th century Art Songs entitled Fleeting Melodies. The Halifax Herald said...“ a repetoire such as this is both unusual and challenging and Rockwell with her beautiful, clear, ringing voice meets their technical demands with assurance and precision.” She also has been featured on several recordings and has had compositions written for her. One of England’s foremost composers, Jonathon Willcocks, wrote a piece for Paula that she performed at the Green Lake Festival of Music in Wisconsin. Most recently, Acadia University colleague and percussionist Ken Shorley composed a piece for her that was debuted at the Festival Theatre in Wolfville, NS.

Paula is comfortable singing in a number of musical genres, from opera, oratorio to folk and jazz. She has taken on several operatic roles since graduating from University of Toronto working with the Canadian Opera Company, Vancouver Opera, Tidal Opera ( to which she is a co-founder ) and with Orchestre Baroque de Montreal. Paula has been a regular soloist with Symphony Nova Scotia and the Chorus of Westerly in Rhode Island where she made her American debut singing Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody. She is heard every year at the Sir David Willcocks Choral Symposiums in New Hampshire giving master classes and concerts.

Since returning to Nova Scotia, where she lives with her husband and three daughters, Paula has become part of the music faculty at Acadia University, her alma mater. She created and directed Acadia’s Singing Theatre Production entitled DaPonte’s Operas highlighting Mozart’s three great operas he collaborated on with the librettist Lorenzo DaPonte.

Recent performances have included John Rutter’s Mass of the Children and the 2005 Summer Pops Extravaganza with the Chorus of Westerly, Rhode Island, Bach’s

B Minor Mass with The Peterborough Singers in Ontario as well as a 3 city tour with the New Brunswick Symphony of well loved broadway tunes entitled Broadway Spectacular. Paula has been collaborating with two fellow singers, Sally Dibblee and Sung-Ha Shin Bouey, collectively known as The Maritime Divas. Their show is called

I Want to be a Prima Donna and they completed their 2005 season at the Indian River Festival in Prince Edward Island. Last June, Paula was invited to adjudicate the Ontario Provincial Music Festival in London and this February will be the vocal adjudicator for the Saint John’s Music Festival in Newfoundland. Paula is heard frequently on CBC Radio Two and recently on Maritime Noon with friend and colleague Jennifer King. Future engagements include Mahler’s Ruckert Lieder with the York Symphony Orchestra in May, St. John’s Music Festival in February, Ottawa’s Music Festival in April, and a recital/masterclass weekend in Hartford, CT in the fall of 2008.

On her first album, Mary-Lu was nominated for a Juno as Most Promising Female Vocalist. “Call Me” a single from the album reached the number 1 position on the Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart. On her second album, Mary-Lu had the opportunity to work with such world renowned producers as David Foster and Humberto Gatica. Mary-Lu was subsequently signed to a Sony Music Publishing development deal and released her third CD entitled “Sundance Café”.

She starred in the Dora award winning “Pump Boys and Dinettes”, and headlined a tour of the Middle East for the Canadian Armed Forces in Israel, Egypt and Cyprus

Mary-Lu’s television acting credits include: Exhibit A, Twice in a Lifetime, PSI Factor, Top Cops, Ready or Not, Missing Treasures and a number of Made-for-TV movies. Mary-Lu also had the opportunity to work with Ed Harris in the film “The Third Miracle” and Mario Van Peebles in “The Gang in Blue”.

You may recognize Mary-Lu from one of her many television commercials. She’s also the voice on many radio and TV voice-overs and jingles.

Mary-Lu is the creator and head of the Commercial Vocal Department in the Music Theatre program at Oakville’s Sheridan College as well as an alumni of the program.

Mary-Lu produced “KARMA”, a TIP supported short that has been featured in numerous international film festivals such as The Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films, The Montréal World Film Festival, The Stratford-upon-Avon International Film Festival in the UK, ScreamFest Film Festival in Los Angeles, and the Rochester International Film Festival where it was chosen “Best of the Fest”

Recently, Mary-Lu completed production on her first feature film entitled Poker Night.

Jan Jarvlepp

Jan Jarvlepp returned to his native Ottawa in 1981 after completing his doctoral studies in composition and twentieth century music at the University of California, San Diego. His composition teachers over the years were Luis de Pablo, Alcides Lanza, Will Ogdon and Roger Reynolds. Once back, he joined the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and has been active as a freelance cellist, composer, teacher, recording technician and as a contractor for chamber music groups. In 1996, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra premiered his percussion concerto to an enthusiastic audience and that success has now been repeated in several cities in Canada, USA, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Jarvlepp has also composed eight pieces for the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival. His scores and CDs are available from the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto. For more information visit: <http://www.janjarvlepp.com>www.janjarvlepp.com.

Michael Savona

Michael Savona is an outstanding young guitarist of today’s generation. He has performed in Germany and in major cities across Canada. In addition to receiving many scholarships and awards for his playing, Michael has been invited to play at music festivals and university workshops/master-classes. (“Stratford Music Festival” and The University of British Columbia). Several pieces have been written for him and he has performed in the premiers of other new compositions. Michael keeps busy as a chamber musician as well, playing with “The Jason Nett Guitar Quartet” (Aired on CBC Radio 1), the violin, cello, guitar trio “Allegra”, and with flautist Lynne Pienning.

Michael received his Bachelor degree from “The Glenn Gould Professional School” and his Masters degree from the University of Ottawa in guitar performance. He has participated in numerous guitar festivals and has performed in master-classes for guitar legends such as David Russell, Manuel Barruecco, Leo Brouwer and Norbert Kraft. He has also attended the Humber College Jazz program. He has given workshops and master-classes at the university and college level and has adjudicated for performance exams at the University of British Columbia.

Michael is also a dedicated instructor, teaching private students and group guitar classes.

Claire Marchand

Lisa Iwasaki