Nick & Friends, Debut Atlantic’s 2027/28 Artists-in-Residence, bring together a dynamic collective of East Coast musicians in a vibrant program blending original works, jazz, classical traditions, and Armenian folk music. At its core are pianist and composer Chris Donnelly, guitarist and composer Haig Beylerian, and percussionist, keyboardist, and conductor Nick Halley.

Nick Halley

Debut Atlantic alumnus Nick Halley is a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, composer, and conductor based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Nick is Assistant Director of Music of The Cathedral Church of All Saints and is Founder & Artistic Director of Capella Regalis Choirs. Nick was Assistant Music Director of The University of Kings College, and, while there, founded and directed The King’s Chorus. Nick was known to Canadian audiences as host of CBC’s national radio program, ‘Choral Concert’, and he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contribution to the arts, principally for his work with Capella Regalis. As a drummer and world percussionist, Nick performs internationally with a wide range of musicians.

Haig Beylerian

Haig Beylerian is a Canadian-Armenian guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. Born in Toronto to a musical family and shaped by both Western and Armenian culture, his work spans the classical tradition, folk heritage, and pop he grew up with. He received a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance from Dalhousie University, where he studied under Doug Reach, Jeff Torbert, Scott MacMillan, and Don Ross. Beylerian has toured extensively across North America and Asia as a performer, scored for film and theatre, and contributed to numerous recordings as both composer and session guitarist — collaborating with internationally acclaimed artists including Rufus Wainwright and Serouj Kradjian. He currently resides in Nova Scotia, where he maintains an active career as a performer, producer, and educator. His catalogue includes Solo Guitar, Armenian Folk Music For Guitar, and Armenian Folk Music For Guitar Vol. 2 — a series that reflects his commitment to preserving and reinterpreting the Armenian musical tradition through the guitar.

Chris Donnelly

Debut Atlantic alumnus Chris Donnelly’s repertoire is an eclectic mix of jazz, improvisation, original compositions, and classical music. Formerly a Steinway artist and instructor at the University of Toronto, he has resided in Nova Scotia since 2025. Unfortunately, the fact that he was nominated for some Juno awards eons ago still follows him around to this day. Chris is currently living in Chester, NS, with his wife, two Yorkies, and multiple families of deer. He teaches at the local high school, writes video game music, enjoys playing music with friends, and will talk anyone’s ear off about music and education.