Bridge & Wolak Bring Bold, New, Digital Concert to Atlantic Canadian Audiences
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2020
BRIDGE & WOLAK BRING BOLD, NEW, DIGITAL CONCERT TO ATLANTIC CANADIAN AUDIENCES
HALIFAX, NS – Bridge & Wolak are a globe-trotting music & comedy duo, merging traditional instruments with 21st-century digital technology. Michael Bridge (accordions & piano) and Kornel Wolak (clarinet & piano) perform their original brand of fusion, drawing from their classical roots, and loves for folk, jazz, and tango music. With deft virtuosity and endless wit, they have been called the “Victor Borges of the 21st Century.”
The duo is set to launch their digital performance titled “Bach to Benny Goodman”, filmed in the beautiful Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston, Ontario. This exciting concert was designed to transport audiences back into the theatre to experience a musical performance at its finest. This digital performance will be presented throughout Atlantic Canada. Bursting with their vivid original orchestrations — of Bach, Chopin, Handel, Ennio Morricone, Benny Goodman, Sidney Bechet, and Bulgarian folk music, audiences can sit back, “watch and be amazed!” (CBC Music).
In addition to concert engagements, Bridge & Wolak will be working with young students through the Debut Goes to School – 2020/21 Digital Program. This season, Debut Goes to School offers students throughout Atlantic Canada virtual access to outstanding classical and world musicians. Through this program, students are provided the opportunity to participate in live, interactive learning sessions and other events for various age groups and levels of ability.
Debut Atlantic wants to give a special thanks to The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts for partnering with us on this exciting and impactful project. Additionally, we want to recognize the partners and sponsors that come together to bring these incredible artists to communities and venues of all sizes across our region. It would not be possible without the generous support of sustaining partners, including the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and the Province of New Brunswick. Debut would also like to thank its educational partner, the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and its season partners, including the Halifax Regional Municipality, The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, Support4Culture, the Craig Foundation, Pink Larkin, Halcraft Printers, Strategic Arts Management, and InnVest Hotels (Comfort Inn).
Please see the enclosed list of concert dates and artist biography, and come share in a unique performance, rich with passion and exploration.
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As one of Canada’s most prestigious classical music organizations, Debut Atlantic is committed to developing young artists and establishing new initiatives that enhance the cultural life of Atlantic Canada. Since 1979 it has treated Atlantic audiences to Canada’s most promising young musicians. Celebrating 41 years, Debut Atlantic has featured over 400 artists, gracing the stages of venues from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Full details on Debut Atlantic’s concert seasons and educational programs can be found at www.debutatlantic.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Erin Sparks – Executive Director
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
erin@debutatlantic.ca
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Elizabeth Upson Perez – Program Officer
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
elizabeth@debutatlantic.ca
PARTICIPATING PRESENTERS
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
September 12, 2020
Antigonish Performing Arts Series
Immaculata Hall, St. F.X. University
2360 Notre Dame Ave.
902-867-3909
people.stfx.ca/msteinit/schedule.htm
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
September 18, 2020
Acadia Performing Arts Series
Festival Theatre
385 Main St.
1-800-542-TICK (8425)
pas.acadiau.ca
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
September 20, 2020
Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre
15-21 Voisey Dr.
709-896-4027
Saint John, New Brunswick
September 22, 2020
Imperial Theatre
12 King Square St.
506-674-4100 | (800) 323-SHOW (7469)
imperialtheatre.ca/
Fredericton, New Brunswick
September 23, 2020
MusicUNB
Memorial Hall, University of New Brunswick
9 Bailey Dr.
506-453-4697
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
September 25, 2020
Dartmouth Community Concert Association
Woodlawn United Church
54 Woodlawn Rd.
dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
September 27, 2020
Musique Royale
Cecilia’s Retreat
1199 Oakland Rd. RR#2
musiqueroyale.com
BIOGRAPHY—BRIDGE & WOLAK
Bridge & Wolak are a globe-trotting music & comedy duo, merging traditional instruments with 21st century digital technology. Michael Bridge (accordions & piano) and Kornel Wolak (clarinet & piano) perform their own original brand of fusion, drawing from their classical roots, and loves for folk, jazz and tango music. With deft virtuosity and endless wit, they have been called the “Victor Borges of the 21st Century.” Fun-loving gentlemen (with seven degrees in music), they represent the modern conception of musician-entertainer-educators. “Watch and be amazed!” — CBC
Across Poland, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, France, Ecuador, throughout the USA and Canada, Bridge & Wolak have mystified audiences of all sizes (and can tell you all the best vegetarian restaurants). Most concerts include a Q & A, so have your questions ready and expect riotous answers – they’ve been asked everything from “How can Kornel play for 5 minutes without breathing?” to “Do you like girls??” (by a grade 5 student).
Michael Bridge and Kornel Wolak were set up on a blind (musical) date by Michael’s accordion professor at the University of Toronto, and have since toured the world and become great friends and colleagues. They both started studying music at age 5 – Kornel in Poland, and Michael in Alberta.
Off stage, Kornel Wolak teaches clarinet at Queen’s University and Michael Bridge is completing his doctorate in accordion at the University of Toronto (while writing his thesis in hotel rooms!). Collectively holding seven degrees in music, they frequently offer school concerts and university masterclasses / lectures throughout their tours. Dr. Wolak is also a pioneer in collaborative research in oral articulators with the department of Speech Language Pathology, University of Toronto, which led to the publication of peer-reviewed scientific articles and his two books on woodwind pedagogy.
A highly decorated accordionist, Michael Bridge placed second at the World Digital Accordion Championships, twice won the Canadian championships, and the Calgary Stampede Talent Search among 300 contestants. He is the North American artist-ambassador for Bugari Evo digital accordions.
Together, Bridge & Wolak were nominated for the BC Touring Artist of the Year award in 2019 and have collaborated with CBC, TVO and other broadcasters for TV and radio specials. They gratefully acknowledge the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for financially supporting their international touring.