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.

The Amir Amiri Ensemble is an ensemble of virtuoso musicians from the Persian tradition: Amir Amiri (santur), Abdul-Wahab Kayyali (oud), Reza Abaee (ghaychak), Omar Abu Afech (Viola), and Hamin Honari (percussion). Inspired by the diversity and fluidity of the many musical influences of Iran, the Amir Amiri Quartet creates an engaging and distinctive sound fusing the refinement of traditional and spiritual Persian music with folkloric and modern elements. In seeking to expand the boundaries of these musical traditions, balancing heritage and innovation, they find that the possibilities are limitless. In the eclectic musical universe of Amir Amiri Ensemble, borders are abolished to make way for bewitching alchemy, a mystical conversation between these kindred-spirit musicians. 

Joueur de santour, compositeur et inventeur culturel, Amir Amiri vit au centre d’un univers musical unique où se rencontrent inspiration ancienne, virtuosité éblouissante et créativité audacieuse. S’entourant de collaborateurs exceptionnels issus des mondes du jazz, de la musique classique et de la musique mondiale, Amiri transcende sans crainte les genres et les frontières, transportant de manière exquise son instrument ancien dans les conversations musicales de notre époque.

L’Ensemble Amir Amiri est un groupe de musiciens virtuoses issus de la tradition persane : Amir Amiri (santour), Abdul-Wahab Kayyali (oud), Reza Abaee (gheychak), Omar Abu Afech (alto) et Hamin Honari (percussions). Inspiré par la diversité et la fluidité des nombreuses influences musicales de l’Iran, l’ensemble Amir Amiri crée un son engageant et distinctif qui fusionne le raffinement de la musique persane traditionnelle et spirituelle avec des éléments folkloriques et modernes. En cherchant à repousser les limites de ces traditions musicales, en équilibrant l’héritage et l’innovation, ils découvrent que les possibilités sont illimitées. Dans l’univers musical éclectique de l’Ensemble Amir Amiri, les frontières sont abolies pour faire place à une alchimie envoûtante – une conversation mystique entre ces musiciens à l’esprit bienveillant.

Visit Amir Amiri Ensemble’s Media Resources page to see more performance videos, read interviews, and more!

Comprised of musicians who settled in Montreal between the summer of 2019 and 2020, these three musicians discovered the city through a peculiar lens – the COVID-19 pandemic. As closures and uncertainties permeated their lives, their relationship with each other was one of the first they formulated in the city. Thus, it was a formative one, forged in an exceptionally difficult period.

The repertoire “Les Arrivants” has developed mirrors the trial and tribulations of their resettlement. The concert program starts with Amijai Shalev’s composition “The Arrival,” which tracks the highs and lows of the resettlement experience. From there, it moves on to “Home” by Hamin Honari, which describes the nostalgia and longing for the places and people they left and the renewed search for the comforts they brought us. From there, the program develops into “Neige De Printemps” by Amijai Shalev, which describes a Montreal staple and a “surprise” that never ought to surprise – the snow of spring. Moving on, the program proceeds to “Basmah (Smile)” by Abdul-Wahab Kayyali, a reflection of the joys brought about from seeing friendly and familiar faces in times of great uncertainty and turmoil. Lastly, the program ends with “Burkan (Volcano)” by Abdul-Wahab Kayyali, which describes anger and protest at the global injustices and inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic.

All the compositions were written by members of “Les Arrivants” between the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2021. Hence, they reflect the growth and maturation of the group’s musical bond, which was nurtured through two fellowships at Montreal’s Centre Des Musiciens Du Monde. They are all informed by the traditions the instrumentalists have mastered throughout their careers, but equally and more importantly, reflect the musical possibilities that can only emerge out of a cosmopolitan center such as Montreal.

– Saint-Gaudens Memorial Concert Series, New Hampshire 

Described by the Toronto Star as ‘a positive vision of our cultural future’, the Sri Lankan-born Dinuk Wijeratne is an award-winning artist who has established himself as one of Canada’s most performed contemporary Classical composers. Wijeratne’s globally-inspired music defies categorization and seamlessly fuses incredibly wide-ranging influences. He is joined by the incredibly versatile multi-percussionist Nick Halley, a frequent collaborator of American icon James Taylor, and jazz bassist Tom Easley, a two-time ECMA award-winner. 

Dinuk Wijeratne 

Sri Lankan-born Canadian Dinuk Wijeratne is a JUNO and multi-award-winning composer, conductor, and pianist who has been described by the New York Times as “exuberantly creative” and by the Toronto Star as “an artist who reflects a positive vision of our cultural future.” His boundary-crossing work sees him equally at home in collaborations with symphony orchestras and string quartets, tabla players and DJs, and takes him to international venues as poles apart as the Berlin Philharmonie and the North Sea Jazz Festival.   

Dinuk has also appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Opera Bastille (Paris), Lincoln Center (New York), Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), Sri Lanka, Japan, and across the Middle East. He was featured as a main character in “What would Beethoven do?” – the documentary about innovation in Classical music featuring Eric Whitacre, Bobby McFerrin and Ben Zander.    

Dinuk has shared the stage and/or composed for: Yo-Yo Ma & the Silk Road Ensemble, James Ehnes, Zakir Hussain, Sandeep Das, Kinan Azmeh, Ed Thigpen, Eric Vloeimans, the Gryphon Trio, TorQ Percussion, the Afiara, Danel, and Cecilia String Quartets; and the symphony orchestras of Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Winnipeg, Fresno, Buffalo, Illinois, and KwaZulu Natal (South Africa).  

Dinuk holds a doctorate from the University of Toronto, having also studied at the Juilliard School, Mannes College (US), and the Royal Northern College of Music (UK). He was recently appointed Assistant Professor to the Faculty of Music at the University of Ottawa. His music and collaborative work embrace the great diversity of his international background and influences. 

Nick Halley 

Nick Halley is a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, composer, and conductor. As a drummer and world percussionist, Nick has performed and recorded internationally with a wide range of musicians, including American icon James Taylor, Oscar Castro-Neves, Maucha Adnet, David McGuinness & Revenge of the Folk Singers, Concerto Caledonia, Jefferson Hamer & Eamon O’Leary, Old Man Luedecke & Tim O’Brien, the Chris Norman Ensemble, various Paul Halley ensembles, Suzie LeBlanc, Theresa Thomason, Diomira with Dinuk Wijeratne & Joseph Petric, and occasionally the Nick Halley Band. The recording Barnum Hill (2008) features Nick and his ensemble performing some of Nick’s original compositions. 

Nick is the founder and Artistic Director of the Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is the founder and Director of The King’s Chorus, a choir for members of the King’s and Dalhousie University communities in Halifax. Nick is also the Assistant Director of the acclaimed University of King’s College Chapel Choir, directed by his father, Paul Halley. He is Cantor and Director for the chapel’s male Compline choir. He is also Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax. In 2012, Nick was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, in recognition of his contribution to Canada and Nova Scotia through the arts, particularly for his work with Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir. Nick was the Host of CBC’s Choral Concert for the 2013-14 season. 

Tom Easley 

Bassist, composer, and educator Tom Easley has earned a reputation as one of Eastern Canada’s finest jazz bassists. A two-time East Coast Music Award winner, Maple Blues winner, and Music Nova Scotia winner, Tom has co-lead the music group Hot Toddy for a decade, co-producing seven CDs and performing at many major jazz and blues festivals across Canada, Europe, and the United States. 

Over the past 30 years, Tom has toured throughout Europe, Asia, and South America as part of numerous diverse musical projects. He has performed with several internationally recognized artists, including Mike Murley, Juan Martin, Ed Thigpen, Jeff Hamilton, John Abercrombie, Hal Galper, Mike Stern, Peter Erskine, Adam Rogers, Randy Brecker, and Los Lobos. Tom’s CD “The Starting Point VS The Steep Decline,” released in 2018, won the 2019 Best Jazz Recording of the Year from Music Nova Scotia. 

Tom is originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and holds a degree from St. Francis Xavier University with a B.A. Honours in Jazz Performance. Currently, he is Halifax-based and is on faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College’s Music Arts Program. 

« Une musique vivifiante d’inspiration mondiale mêlant sans effort les musiques du monde, le classique et le jazz. » 

– Série de concerts commémoratifs de Saint-Gaudens, New Hampshire 

Décrit par le Toronto Star comme « une vision positive de notre avenir culturel », Dinuk Wijeratne, né au Sri Lanka, est un artiste primé qui s’est imposé comme l’un des compositeurs classiques contemporains les plus joués au Canada. La musique de Wijeratne, d’inspiration mondiale, défie toute catégorisation et fusionne de façon transparente des influences incroyablement variées. Il est accompagné du multi-percussionniste polyvalent Nick Halley, un collaborateur fréquent de l’icône américaine James Taylor, et du bassiste de jazz Tom Easley, deux fois lauréat de l’AMCE (Association de la musique de la Côte est).  

Dinuk Wijeratne 

Le Canadien d’origine sri-lankaise Dinuk Wijeratne est un compositeur, chef d’orchestre et pianiste lauréat de plusieurs prix dont un JUNO. Il a été décrit par le New York Times comme étant « d’une créativité exubérante » et par le Toronto Star comme étant « un artiste qui reflète une vision positive de notre avenir culturel ». Son travail, qui transcende les frontières, lui permet de collaborer aussi bien avec des orchestres symphoniques qu’avec des quatuors à cordes, des joueurs de tabla et des DJ, et l’amène à se produire sur des scènes internationales aussi éloignées les unes des autres que la Philharmonie de Berlin et le North Sea Jazz Festival (Festival de jazz de la mer du Nord). 

Dinuk s’est également produit au Carnegie Hall, au Kennedy Center (Washington DC), à l’Opéra Bastille (Paris), au Lincoln Center (New York), au Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), au Sri Lanka, au Japon et dans tout le Moyen-Orient. Il a joué le rôle de personnage principal dans « What would Beethoven do? » (Que ferait Beethoven?) – le documentaire sur l’innovation dans la musique classique avec Eric Whitacre, Bobby McFerrin et Ben Zander. 

Dinuk a partagé la scène avec et/ou composé pour : Yo-Yo Ma et le Silk Road Ensemble, James Ehnes, Zakir Hussain, Sandeep Das, Kinan Azmeh, Ed Thigpen, Eric Vloeimans, le Gryphon Trio, TorQ Percussion, les quatuors à cordes Afiara, Danel et Cecilia, ainsi que les orchestres symphoniques de Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Winnipeg, Fresno, Buffalo, Illinois et KwaZulu Natal (Afrique du Sud). 

Dinuk est titulaire d’un doctorat de l’Université de Toronto, après avoir également étudié à la Juilliard School, au Mannes College (États-Unis) et au Royal Northern College of Music (Royaume-Uni). Il a récemment été nommé professeur adjoint à la faculté de musique de l’Université d’Ottawa. Sa musique et ses collaborations reflètent la grande diversité de ses origines et influences internationales. 

Nick Halley 

Nick Halley est un batteur/percussionniste, claviériste, compositeur et chef d’orchestre. En tant que batteur et percussionniste mondial, Nick a joué et enregistré à l’échelle internationale avec un large éventail de musiciens, dont l’icône américaine James Taylor, Oscar Castro-Neves, Maucha Adnet, David McGuinness & Revenge of the Folk Singers, Concerto Caledonia, Jefferson Hamer et Eamon O’Leary, Old Man Luedecke et Tim O’Brien, le Chris Norman Ensemble, divers ensembles de Paul Halley, Suzie LeBlanc, Theresa Thomason, Diomira avec Dinuk Wijeratne et Joseph Petric, et occasionnellement le Nick Halley Band. Sur l’enregistrement Barnum Hill (2008), Nick et son ensemble interprètent certaines de ses compositions originales. 

Nick est fondateur et directeur artistique du chœur d’hommes et de garçons Capella Regalis à Halifax, en Nouvelle-Écosse. Il est fondateur et directeur du chœur The King’s Chorus, qui s’adresse aux membres des communautés universitaires de l’Université King’s et de l’Université Dalhousie à Halifax. Nick est également directeur adjoint de la célèbre University of King’s College Chapel Choir, dirigée par son père, Paul Halley. Il est chantre et directeur du chœur d’hommes de la chapelle pour l’office des complies. Il est également directeur adjoint de la musique à la Cathedral Church of All Saints, à Halifax. En 2012, Nick a reçu la médaille du jubilé de diamant de la Reine Elizabeth II, en reconnaissance de sa contribution au Canada et à la Nouvelle-Écosse par le biais des arts, notamment pour son travail avec le chœur d’hommes et de garçons Capella Regalis. Nick a été l’hôte de l’émission Choral Concert de la CBC pour la saison 2013-2014. 

Tom Easley 

Bassiste, compositeur et éducateur, Tom Easley a acquis la réputation d’être l’un des meilleurs bassistes de jazz de l’Est du Canada. Deux fois lauréat du Prix de la musique de la côte Est (East Coast Music Award), du prix Maple Blues et du prix Music Nova Scotia, Tom a codirigé le groupe musical Hot Toddy pendant une décennie, coproduisant sept CD et se produisant dans de nombreux grands festivals de jazz et de blues au Canada, en Europe et aux États-Unis. 

Au cours des 30 dernières années, Tom a effectué des tournées en Europe, en Asie et en Amérique du Sud dans le cadre de nombreux projets musicaux divers. Il s’est produit avec plusieurs artistes de renommée internationale, notamment Mike Murley, Juan Martin, Ed Thigpen, Jeff Hamilton, John Abercrombie, Hal Galper, Mike Stern, Peter Erskine, Adam Rogers, Randy Brecker et Los Lobos. Le CD de Tom « The Starting Point VS The Steep Decline » (Comparaison entre le point de départ et le déclin marqué), lancé en 2018, a remporté le prix du meilleur enregistrement de jazz de l’année 2019 décerné par Music Nova Scotia. 

Tom est originaire de Fredericton, au Nouveau-Brunswick, et détient un diplôme de l’Université St. Francis Xavier avec un B.A. spécialisé en interprétation jazz. Il vit actuellement à Halifax et fait partie du corps enseignant du programme d’arts musicaux du Collège communautaire de la Nouvelle-Écosse. 

Saeed Kamjoo, kamanche

Pooria Pournazeri, tanbour

Ziya Tabassian, percussion

Founded by three Irano-Canadian musicians living in Montreal, Regard Persan is an innovative ensemble, with each member exploring the sounds of Persian music through their respective instruments. Bridging the gap between tradition and modernity, the trio seeks to create contemporary music that is aurally timeless. Formed after the trio’s magical concert premiere at the 2013 Garage Concerts series in Montreal, Regard Persan has performed in Canada, Europe, Mexico, and China.

Saeed Kamjoo

Saeed Kamjoo, born in 1965 in Tehran, Iran, is a Persian musician and composer. As a graduate of Tehran University, he furthered his studies in the instrumental and vocal repertoires of Classical Persian music under the guidance of such renowned masters as Ali Akbar Shekârchi and Ustad Asghar Bahâri.

Kamjoo’s approach to playing kamanche is based on his perception of the values inherent in classical Persian music. Kamjoo’s style of playing combines creativity and authenticity with innovation. Although his music is rooted in classical Persian music, he frequently explores modern concepts in his performances.

Kamjoo moved to Montreal, Canada, in 1997 and has since collaborated with various ensembles throughout North America and Europe. He has recorded multiple albums and performed in numerous music festivals in Canada, Mexico, U.K, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Hong Kong, and the United States. Kamjoo has also performed as a guest artist with the Dastan Ensemble, one of the most renowned Persian musical groups. As a composer, he has written music for string quartet and voice based on the poetry of Omar Khayyám (12th c.), which was performed in Toronto, Canada, in 2012. His new album, No dawn, No dusk, for qheychak solo was released in summer 2015.

Pooria Pournazeri 

Pooria Pournazeri began his tanbour studies (lute from Kurdistan) at the age of 6. His first teacher was his uncle, Keykhosrow Pournazeri, a performer and pedagogue of Sufi music. During his studies, he learned traditional Persian and Kurdish repertoire. As an award-winning tanbourist, his first performance was at the age of 16 at the Fajr Music Festival in Tehran, Iran. He is also a composer, whose music draws inspiration from his early training in classical Persian music.

Following his studies, Pournazeri joined the prestigious Shams Ensemble, with whom he collaborated on the best-selling Iranian album Mastan Salamat Mikonand. In 2009, he helped establish the Rivaan Ensemble with Majid Pousti and Ostaad Bijan Parvaz. In the same year, he recorded a new album titled Let’s Make the Earth Peaceful as part of the project “Act on Climate Change,” initiated by the United Nations. In 2011, he launched his first solo album, described as the “best album of October 2011” by Songlines magazine.

Since his arrival in Montreal, Pournazeri has frequently collaborated with the Tabassian brothers and Ensemble Constantinople. He has appeared in several musical and multidisciplinary events, including the opening of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto in September, 2014.

Ziya Tabassian

Ziya Tabassian began playing the tombak (Iranian drum) at the age of ten. Following his early studies in Iran, he continued his autodidactic training in Quebec, his adopted homeland.

From 1994 to 2001, Tabassian studied classical Western percussion with Julien Grégoire, and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in interpretation from the Université de Montréal. During a residency at The Banff Centre in the winter of 2003, he began exploring contemporary repertoire with Iranian percussion instruments, which was to have a lasting influence on his music and career. Tabassian has also studied and participated in advanced courses with Bahman Rajabi (Teheran), Aziz Alami (Fez), Trichy Sankaran (Toronto), Mısırli Ahmet (Istanbul), Shree Sundarkumar, and Yogesh Samsi (India).

As a percussionist, Tabassian is professionally active in early, contemporary, current, and world music. He performs with several musical ensembles, including the Persian music trio, Regard Persan, and Ensemble Caprice. Throughout his career, he has appeared in concert halls and music festivals in more than 40 countries.

Supported by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts, Tabassian has recorded and collaborated on numerous albums. His first solo album, titled Tombak, released in 2007 on the Ambiances Magnétiques label, was inspired by his acoustic explorations and research on early Persian music’s rhythmic cycles. His second solo album, The Circle of the Cycles, released in 2017, was based on the rhythmic cycles and new techniques on the tombak. He is now releasing his third solo album. He has also collaborated and recorded with the Kronos Quartet, Kayhan Kalhor, Mercan Dede, Hossein Omoumi, En Chordais, and Lo’Jo.

Fondé par trois musiciens irano-canadiens vivant à Montréal, Regard Persan est un ensemble novateur, dont chaque membre explore les sons de la musique persane à travers son instrument respectif. Comblant l’écart entre la tradition et la modernité, le trio cherche à créer une musique contemporaine qui soit intemporelle à l’oreille. Formé après la première du concert magique de la série Garage Concerts en 2013 à Montréal, Regard Persan s’est produit au Canada, en Europe, au Mexique et en Chine.

Saeed Kamjoo

Saeed Kamjoo, né en 1965 à Téhéran, en Iran, est un musicien et compositeur persan. Diplômé de l’université de Téhéran, il a poursuivi ses études dans les répertoires instrumental et vocal de la musique classique persane sous la direction de maîtres aussi renommés qu’Ali Akbar Shekârchi et Ustad Asghar Bahâri.

L’approche de Kamjoo pour jouer du kamantcheh est basée sur sa perception des valeurs inhérentes à la musique classique persane. Le style de jeu de Kamjoo allie créativité et authenticité à l’innovation. Bien que sa musique soit ancrée dans la musique persane classique, il explore fréquemment des concepts modernes dans ses interprétations.

Kamjoo s’est installé à Montréal, au Canada, en 1997 et a depuis collaboré avec divers ensembles en Amérique du Nord et en Europe. Il a enregistré plusieurs albums et s’est produit dans de nombreux festivals de musique au Canada, au Mexique, au Royaume-Uni, en France, en Allemagne, aux Pays-Bas, en Belgique, en Norvège, en Suède, en Espagne, au Portugal, en Pologne, en Grèce, en Turquie, à Hong Kong et aux États-Unis. Kamjoo s’est également produit en tant qu’artiste invité avec l’Ensemble Dastan, l’un des groupes de musique persane les plus réputés. En tant que compositeur, il a écrit de la musique pour quatuor à cordes et voix basée sur la poésie d’Omar Khayyám (XII^e siècle), qui a été jouée à Toronto, au Canada, en 2012. Son nouvel album, No dawn, No dusk (Sans aube, aucun crépuscule), pour ghaychak solo est sorti à l’été 2015.

Pooria Pournazeri

Pooria Pournazeri a commencé ses études de tanbour (luth du Kurdistan) à l’âge de 6 ans. Son premier professeur a été son oncle, Keykhosrow Pournazeri, un interprète et pédagogue de la musique soufie. Pendant ses études, il a appris le répertoire traditionnel persan et kurde. En tant que joueur de tanbour primé, il a donné son premier concert à l’âge de 16 ans au festival de musique Fajr à Téhéran, en Iran. Il est également compositeur, dont la musique s’inspire de sa formation précoce dans la musique classique persane.

Après ses études, Pournazeri a rejoint le prestigieux ensemble Shams, avec lequel il a collaboré sur l’album iranien à succès Mastan Salamat Mikonand. En 2009, il a participé à la création de l’ensemble Rivaan avec Majid Pousti et Ostaad Bijan Parvaz. La même année, il a enregistré un nouvel album intitulé « Let’s Make the Earth Peaceful » (Faisons paix sur Terre) dans le cadre du projet « Agir sur le changement climatique », initié par les Nations Unies. En 2011, il a lancé son premier album solo, qualifié de « meilleur album d’octobre 2011 » par le magazine Songlines.

Depuis son arrivée à Montréal, Pournazeri a fréquemment collaboré avec les frères Tabassiens et l’Ensemble Constantinople. Il a participé à plusieurs événements musicaux et multidisciplinaires, dont l’ouverture du musée Aga Khan à Toronto en septembre 2014.

Ziya Tabassian

Ziya Tabassian a commencé à jouer du tombak (tambour iranien) à l’âge de dix ans. Après ses premières études en Iran, il a poursuivi sa formation autodidacte au Québec, sa terre d’adoption.

De 1994 à 2001, Tabassian a étudié les percussions occidentales classiques avec Julien Grégoire et a obtenu un Baccalauréat en interprétation à l’Université de Montréal. Lors d’une résidence au Banff Centre à l’hiver 2003, il a commencé à explorer le répertoire contemporain avec des instruments de percussion iraniens, ce qui allait avoir une influence durable sur sa musique et sa carrière. Tabassian a également étudié et participé à des cours de perfectionnement avec Bahman Rajabi (Téhéran), Aziz Alami (Fès), Trichy Sankaran (Toronto), Mısırli Ahmet (Istanbul), Shree Sundarkumar et Yogesh Samsi (Inde).

En tant que percussionniste, Tabassian est professionnellement actif dans le domaine des musiques anciennes, contemporaines, actuelles et du monde. Il se produit avec plusieurs ensembles musicaux, dont le trio de musique persane, Regard Persan et l’Ensemble Caprice. Tout au long de sa carrière, il s’est produit dans des salles de concert et des festivals de musique dans plus de 40 pays.

Soutenu par le Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec et le Conseil des arts du Canada, Tabassian a enregistré et collaboré à de nombreux albums. Son premier album solo, intitulé Tombak, sorti en 2007 sur l’étiquette Ambiances Magnétiques, s’inspire de ses explorations acoustiques et de ses recherches sur les cycles rythmiques des musiques anciennes persanes. Son deuxième album solo, The Circle of the Cycles (Le cercle des cycles), sorti en 2017, était basé sur les cycles rythmiques et les nouvelles techniques du tombak. Il lance maintenant son troisième album solo. Il a également collaboré et enregistré avec le Kronos Quartet, Kayhan Kalhor, Mercan Dede, Hossein Omoumi, En Chordais, et Lo’Jo.

– VISIT REGARD PERSAN’S EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PAGE –

Pouya Hamidi – piano

Beth Silver – cello

Michael Bridge – accordion

Adam Campbell – hand percussion

Ladom Ensemble combines piano, cello, accordion, and percussion in a unique blend of acoustic chamber music that is passionate, sophisticated, and wild. The group met and formed in 2007 while studying music at the University of Toronto. Individual members hail from Alberta (Michael Bridge – accordion), Toronto (Beth Silver – cello), Prince Edward Island (Adam Campbell – percussion), and Ontario by way of Tehran, Iran (Pouya Hamidi – piano). The in-house composer, Pouya, writes original music for the group. The Canadian spread of the group also reaches across the world and across genres as their all-original repertoire incorporates inspirations from Argentinean tango, Serbian folk and dance traditions, Persian classical repertoire, as well as music from the Classical (Bach, Prokofiev) and progressive rock worlds (Radiohead). Ladom doesn’t pretend to represent any one tradition, but rather expresses an authentically Canadian experience. Ladom’s musical identity is combined from many sources and reflects a beautiful new world with a Western classical toolset. They also commission original music by local, Canadian composers such as Elisha Denburg, Igor Correia, Maziar Heidari, Keyan Emami, Saman Shahi, and Afarin Mansouri.

Accordionist Michael Bridge (MMus) brings his whole heart and ballooning talent to the Ensemble, despite being extremely active performing around the world, from orchestras to solo recitals. He has been named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30” and does over 100 concerts per year… on top of pursuing a doctorate in performance. Sock-foot on stage, Adam Campbell (Mmus) passes around a twinkle-in-the-eye during performances, and always brings the bottles… as part of his hand percussion toolkit! Cellist Beth Silver (MMus) starts spontaneous jams in between takes, with playful sounds that can only be called ‘fiddling around’. Pouya Hamidi (MMus) usually emerges from rehearsals declaring, “They’re such sweethearts!” In performance and composition, the pianist has a deep love for the music, and a profound humbleness that makes bragging impossible, although warranted. All are active, professional musicians in various contexts.

To date, Ladom has toured and enthralled audiences across the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Recently, they completed a 38-day tour of Ontario and Quebec with Jeunesses Musicales Canada (Fall 2017). They have been awarded 3 other major tours, with Debut Atlantic (Spring 2018), Prairie Debut (Winter 2019), and Jeunesses Musicales Canada (March 2019). They have also been presented by Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. CBC, Radio-Canada, the Whole-Note magazine, and the BBC have featured Ladom in print and video media. A postlude performance marked their debut at the prestigious Koerner Hall in Toronto. Ladom has been selected to showcase at festivals such as CAPACOA in Ottawa and at OSAC conferences. The group has been receiving wide acclaim for their imaginative arrangement and performance of Radiohead’s Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (video released to YouTube, January 2017).

The words of Ladom’s reviewers couldn’t be clearer. CBC’s Errol Nazareth gave a glowing review of Ladom’s first, self-titled album: “I can honestly say that this is the first time I have heard such a fascinating mix and it really works well. The music can be very elegant and contemplative and it can also be rocking and fiery… there is no denying the passion of the four musicians investing in their playing.” Of Ladom’s 2014 CD release concert, renowned Canadian publicist Jane Harbury wrote, “The joy was universal and the standing ovation totally spontaneous!” Grant agencies are in agreement with the press! Both Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts have awarded Ladom Ensemble grants for their upcoming album and concert productions.

– VISIT LADOM ENSEMBLE’S EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT PAGE – 

TOUR DATES: March 10-26, 2017

BIOGRAPHY:

Architek Percussion is a Montreal-based quartet specializing in the performance of experimental, minimalist, multi-disciplinary, and electroacoustic chamber music. Founded in early 2012, the quartet has quickly established itself as a dynamic force in Canada’s vibrant new music community; equally comfortable in performing classic repertoire and exploring new terrain through commissions and premieres. In addition to self-producing a concert series in Montreal, Architek Percussion has recently appeared as guests of Ottawa New Music Creators, live@CIRMMT, Innovations en Concert, Cluster Festival, and toured Canada’s maritime provinces. Appearances in 2014-15 include PASIC Focus Day (Indianapolis), New Music Edmonton, Codes d’Acces, Groundswell (Winnipeg),The Music Gallery (Toronto), and Scotia Festival of Music (Halifax).

Architek Percussion is committed to the development and presentation of new Canadian music. The quartet has premiered over 20 new works by composers such as Eliot Britton, Christos Hatzis, Nicole Lizée, and Lukas Ligeti. The quartet’s current repertoire reflects the cultural and stylistic diversity of North American contemporary music. Architek Percussion consists of Ben Duinker, Mark Morton, Ben Reimer, and Alessandro Valiante.

Touring from February 7th to February 23rd, 2014

Joseph Petric, accordion
Dinuk Wijeratne, piano/composer
Nick Halley, percussion

For Education & Engagement programs and information for Diomira, please click here.

Performing works composed by their founder Dinuk Wijeratne, Diomira‘s music explores Dinuk’s hugely diverse cultural influences: from the Persian poetry of Omar Khayyam and the fantastical prose of Jorge Luis Borges, to the sensuality of Flamenco and the intricate rhythms of the Indian Classical tradition.

Formed in April 2011, the trio’s critically acclaimed literary and globally-inspired program was immediately recorded by the CBC and has since enjoyed repeated nationwide broadcast, garnering audience support for a style that balances sublime music-making with virtuosity.

The ‘soul’ of Diomira’s unique sound is the accordion of Joseph Petric. An internationally renowned recording-artist hailed as “an extraordinary performer” by the Boston Globe, Petric toured with Debut Atlantic for the first time in 1990. He returns this year with Diomira as Debut Atlantic’s Encore tour. World percussionist Nick Halley is a fiery talent who moves effortlessly amongst the major drumming traditions. Sri Lankan-born Dinuk Wijeratne, with a rapidly growing reputation as a prolific creator of genre-spanning projects, leads the group with his striking compositions and remarkable invention at the piano.

As part of their Debut Atlantic tour, Diomira will engage local young creators and composers to write music for the ensemble. These works will then be performed in concert, bringing a unique element to each community performance.

En tournée du 7 au 23 février

Joseph Petric, accordéon
Dinuk Wijeratne, piano/compositeur
Nick Halley, percussion

Par l’interprétation des œuvres composées par son fondateur Dinuk Wijeratne, la musique de Diomira explore les grandes influences culturelles variées: de la poésie perse d’Omar Khayyam et la prose fantastique de Jorge Luis Borges, à la sensualité du flamenco et des rythmes classiques traditionnels indiens.

Formé en avril 2011, le programme du trio d’inspiration globale et acclamé par la critique littéraire, a immédiatement été enregistré par Radio-Canada et a, depuis, été diffusé et répété à travers tout le pays ce qui lui recueillera le soutien d’une audience pour un style qui équilibre composition musicale sublime et virtuosité.

“L’âme” du son unique de Diomira est l’accordéon de Joseph Petric, l’accordéoniste de renommée internationale acclamé en tant que « musicien extraordinaire » par le Boston Globe. Petric a fait sa première tournée avec Début Atlantique en 1990. Il revient cette année avec Diomira dans le cadre de la tournée Encore. Le percussionniste Nick Halley possède un talent enflammé qui se meut sans efforts parmi les traditions principales de la percussion.  Dinuk Wijeratne, originaire du Sri Lanka, avec sa réputation croissante de créateur prolifique de projets à chevauchement de genre, dirige le groupe avec ses compositions saisissantes et ses inventions remarquables au piano.

Pendant la durée de leur tournée Début Atlantique, Diomira va demander à des jeunes créateurs et compositeurs d’écrire des œuvres pour le group. Ces œuvres seront ensuite exécutées en concert, donnent un élément unique à chaque concert communautaire.

TorQ has performed to critical acclaim and standing ovations across Canada and beyond, including performances at the International Percussion Quartet Festival (Luxembourg), Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, Indian River Festival (Prince Edward Island), Stratford Summer Music Festival, MusicFest Canada (Vancouver) and the Open Ears Contemporary Music Festival (Ontario).

A constantly evolving repertoire gives TorQ the opportunity to combine the most recent commissions with better-known works by composers such as John Cage, David Lang and Nebojsa Zivkovic. In addition to promoting new music, they are firm believers in the importance of music education. Working with Ontario based “Prologue for the Performing Arts”, TorQ performs 70 shows per academic year to elementary and secondary school audiences across the province. They are frequent educational collaborators with Soundstreams Canada, and present masterclasses and workshops for various organizations across the country, including Debut Atlantic.

Gagnant du prix 2009 du conseil d’arts de Mississauga « Meilleur ensemble émergeant – Arts de la scène », le quatuor de percussions TorQ est formé de quatre percussionnistes canadiens qui cherchent à ajouter un nouveau dynamisme au répertoire des percussions et au chapitre de la prestation. Reconnus pour leurs prestations énergisantes, les membres Richard Burrows, Adam Campbell, Jamie Drake et Daniel Morphy ont à cœur de rendre la musique nouvelle accessible à un auditoire s’étendant sur plusieurs générations et de divers lieux géographiques.

TorQ a reçu les éloges de la critique et des ovations partout au Canada et ailleurs, y compris lors des prestations au Festival international de quatuors de percussions (Luxembourg), au Festival de musique de chambre d’Ottawa, au « Indian River Festival » (Île du Prince Édouard), au « Stratford Summer Music Festival », au « MusicFest Canada » (Vancouver) ainsi qu’au « Open Ears Contemporary Music Festival » (Ontario).

Grâce à un répertoire en constante évolution, TorQ peut agencer ses plus récentes commandes musicales avec des œuvres mieux connues de compositeurs tels que John Cage, David Lang et Nebojsa Zivkovic. En plus de promouvoir la musique nouvelle, l’ensemble croit fermement en l’importance de l’éducation musicale. En collaboration avec l’organisme Prologue aux arts de la scène, établi en Ontario, TorQ se produit 70 fois par année scolaire devant des élèves d’écoles primaires et secondaires à l’échelle de la province. Agissant souvent comme collaborateurs éducatifs avec « Soundstreams Canada », les membres de l’ensemble offrent également des cours de maître et des ateliers à divers organismes partout au pays, incluant Début Atlantique.