Lambert, a Montréal-based violist with a doctorate in viola performance from McGill University, has built a distinguished career as a performer, educator, and chamber musician. He is regularly invited to perform with major ensembles such as Les Violons du Roy, the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and serves as principal violist of the Orchestre symphonique de Laval. As a founding member of the Lloyd Carr-Harris String Quartet and longtime member of the Molinari Quartet, Lambert’s artistry has been recognized with numerous Prix Opus distinctions from the Conseil québécois de la musique, underscoring his contribution to Québec’s concert scene. He is also a respected pedagogue at both McGill University and the Université du Québec à Montréal, and a cultural commentator on Radio-Canada.

Chloé Dumoulin has garnered international acclaim for her sensitive touch, rich tonal palette, and dynamic musical presence. Named among CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” Dumoulin has performed extensively across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia, appearing as soloist with orchestras such as the Orchestre Métropolitain and the Orchestre symphonique de Laval. A laureate of major competitions including the Concours Prix d’Europe, she holds a double master’s degree in solo and collaborative piano and has graduated with an Artist Diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London as a Leverhulme Arts Scholar. An ardent chamber musician, she has collaborated with instrumentalists and vocalists on renowned festivals and recital series.

Together, Lambert and Dumoulin released their acclaimed album Nouveau Lyrisme in June 2025, a richly curated collection of contemporary works for viola and piano that explores lyrical expression across the modern Québec repertoire. The recording—noted for its intimate dialogue, bold contrasts, and emotional depth—has been recognized with a Prix Opus nomination, highlighting the duo’s artistic vision and impact on the contemporary chamber music landscape.

They perform regularly in Canada, Europe, and China, appearing at festivals and prestigious venues such as Jeunesses Musicales Canada, Place des Arts in Montréal, the Aegean International Arts Festival in Greece, and the Jiangsu Theatre in China. In Winter 2026, Duo Aster will tour Ontario, Québec, and the Maritime provinces with Jeunesses Musicales Canada, sharing their energy and virtuosity with audiences across the country. Alongside their performing career, the duo is deeply committed to cultural mediation and music education, having introduced more than 2,500 students to classical music through the concert series Le Baptême and presenting a concert for young children entitled Mélodies et Gazouillis. Through their passion and long-standing collaboration, Duo Aster offers warm, engaging performances where every audience member can feel connected to the music and the artists.

Clio Theodoridis

Born in Athens, Clio Theodoridis performs regularly as a saxophonist in Quebec and internationally, with appearances across Europe, Asia, and North America at venues such as the Jiangsung Grand Theatre in China, Denkibunka Hall in Japan, Théâtre du Châtelet in France, and the Aegean Arts Festival in Greece, as well as major Canadian events including the Domaine Forget International Festival, La Virée Classique de Montréal, and Jeunesses Musicales Canada. She has participated in prestigious international events such as the World Saxophone Congress SaxOpen in Strasbourg and the NASA Conference, and has received recognition in competitions, including third prize at the Stockholm International Music Competition and laureate honours at the National Young Talents Competition X.O.N in Athens.

Known for the finesse and depth of her playing, she combines delicacy and intensity in her interpretation of the classical saxophone repertoire. She holds a Doctor of Music degree with highest distinction from the Université de Montréal, along with advanced diplomas from the Strasbourg Superior Academy of Music and the Lyon Conservatory.

Now based in Quebec, she performs regularly with Duo Aster, teaches at the Saguenay Conservatory of Music, is a guest professor at the Domaine Forget International Academy, and serves as an ambassador for Henri Selmer Paris.

Jonathan Nemtanu

Pianist Jonathan Nemtanu leads a rich and committed career that blends artistic excellence with cultural leadership. He performs regularly as a chamber musician in Canada, China, Greece, the United States, and France, and is praised for the finesse of his playing and his gift for musical dialogue. He studied with Hervé N’Kaoua at the Conservatoire de Bordeaux, Avedis Kouyoumdjian at the University of Vienna, and Jean Saulnier at the Université de Montréal, where he earned a doctorate in piano performance with the distinction of “exceptional.” He also holds a master’s degree in international arts management from HEC Montréal, reflecting his engagement beyond the stage.

His career includes collaborations with artists such as Nicolas Ellis, Julie Boulianne, the Isidore Quartet, Hélène Collerette, and Marie-Ève Munger, and performances at venues and festivals including Radio France, the Jiangsu Grand Theatre in China, and Orford Musique in Canada. He has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as Pro Arte, Das Klassik Orchester aus Prag, and the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Symphony Orchestra.

Deeply committed to education and mentorship, he has taught at the Conservatoire de musique de Saguenay, served on juries including the Canadian Music Competition, and founded and directs the Le Baptême concert series in Quebec. He is currently Executive Director of the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal, embodying a new generation of artists who combine musical sensitivity with entrepreneurial vision.

Hailed as “exquisite” by the WASBE Journal, Canadian flutist Phoebe Robertson is Assistant Professor of Music at Arkansas Tech University. Her solo and orchestral performances have brought her to such venues as Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw and Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie as well as halls from coast to coast in North America. She has performed as soloist with ensembles including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, and Symphony New Brunswick. Recipient of the Grand Prize of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Bursary Competition in 2015, she has since performed in competitions and festivals across North America and Europe, earning the Harry G. Archer Award, the title of Major Artist of the Pittsburgh Concert Society, third place in the Flute Society of Washington Young Artist Competition in the American national capital, and top prizes in the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic Soloist Competition and the Silberman Chamber Music Competition. Her playing has been featured on BBC Radio 3 and in records on the Linn and NYOC labels.

Her performances as an orchestral flutist have brought her to halls throughout Europe and North America, including a broadcasted performance with the Orchestra of the Americas at the 2018 Edinburgh International Festival. She frequently appears alongside members of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as a fellow of APEX Ensemble, conducted by the Met’s concertmaster, David Chan. She has also performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, among other ensembles. Equally passionate about performing, teaching, and research, her academic focus is on the flute music of Sofia Gubaidulina and the philosophical concept of opposition. She has presented her work throughout North America and Europe, with several publications forthcoming. Her research on sexuality in Greek myths as depicted in music by Debussy and Ravel has also been published in the Eidolon Journal of Classics. She is frequently engaged to write program notes for the North Shore Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles throughout the United States and Canada, and has been praised for her ability to write about music in a way that makes concerts more accessible to audiences with a wide variety of backgrounds. She serves on the editorial board of CAML Review, the official publication of the Canadian Association of Music Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Centres, and strives to stay deeply connected to her Canadian roots while living and working in the United States.

Raised in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada, Phoebe earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, studying with Linda Chesis and Robert Langevin. She holds a Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied with Lorna McGhee, and a Bachelor of Music degree from her studies with Camille Churchfield at the University of Ottawa. Her studies and professional activities have been generously supported by the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation, the O’Brien Foundation, and the Friends of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. www.phoeberobertsonflute.com.

Pianist, writer, and cultural worker Pierre-André Doucet is a leading voice among Canada’s newest generation of artists.He has performed in every Canadian province, as well as extensively throughout Europe, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. From 2016-2020, he was one of the first chamber musicians hired to the Lincoln Center Stage roster, a collaboration between the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Holland America Line which saw him perform on cruise ships worldwide. He has been heard on NPR, Radio-Canada and CBC, and has toured under the auspices of both Debut Atlantic and Prairie Debut, among others. Winner of the prestigious Knigge Piano Competition, as well as the Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition alongside soprano Alexandra Smither, he has also been a laureate of the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto Career Development Award Competition, the Ibiza International Piano Competition and the Prix d’Europe. His ardent work in disseminating new music has also led him to premiere works by William Bolcom, Mark Carlson, Richard Gibson, Libby Larsen, Nicole Lizée, Jocelyn Morlock, and Alan L. Smith, among others.

Mr. Doucet has been a guest professor at l’Université de Montréal, where he completed doctoral studies under the tutelage of Maneli Pirzadeh. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Performance in collaborative piano from McGill University. Previously, he also attended masterclasses at Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, the Franz-Schubert Institut, and Toronto Summer Music, and as recipient of a Stern Fellowship at Songfest. Through these experiences, he has benefited from masterclasses with such luminaries as Sir Thomas Allen, Elly Ameling, Helmut Deutsch, Julius Drake, Margo Garrett, Marilyn Horne, Graham Johnson, Warren Jones, Kiri Te Kanawa, Martin Katz, Christa Ludwig, Sanford Sylvan, Dawn Upshaw, Roger Vignoles and Howard Watkins. He has received financial support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Joseph-Armand Bombardier Graduate Scholarship), the Fonds québécois de recherche en société et culture, the Canadian Art Song Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the New Brunswick Arts Board.

Pierre-André Doucet is the prize-winning author of Sorta comme si on était déjà là (2012) and Des dick pics sous les étoiles (2020), both published at Prise de parole. He is a three-time finalist of the literary competition at the Jeux de la Francophonie (Beyrouth 2009, Nice 2013 and Kinshasa 2023), and his works have also appeared in Ancrages, Art Song Canada Magazine, Impossible Archetypes and Voix plurielles. In 2023, he was the artistic director for Une maison traversée, an event celebrating his publishing house’s 50th anniversary at Montréal’s Festival international de littérature. He has been co-Director of Barachois Summer Music since 2012, and was also the Interim Executive Director of the Frye Festival, Atlantic Canada’s largest literary event, from 2021-2022. Since last summer, he has been the coordinator of the McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency, of which he was part of the first graduating class.

In June 2024, Jonathan will be competing in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah as one of 37 pianists chosen for the quarterfinal round from the live preliminary rounds. As a recipient of the 2023/2024 IMAGINE Arts Incubator program, Jonathan will be returning to the Isabel Arts Centre for the Performing Arts in August 2024 to record an audio and video album of solo piano pieces by BIPOC composers revolving around the theme of war and the musical response to it. The program supports artists and their projects through the granting of venue space, production staffing, and artist honoraria.

For the 2024/2025 season, Jonathan will be performing Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Kingston Symphony, and Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 with the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra at Rice. Jonathan has been invited to perform at various festivals including the Bravo! Vail Festival in Colorado, the Festival of the Sound in Ontario, Ottawa Chamberfest, and the Edinburgh International Festival. He has attended various summer festivals, including the Aspen Summer Music Festival, Kneisel Hall Music Festival, Toronto Summer Music, and the Sarasota Music Festival. Jonathan has performed with artists such as Martin Beaver, Yura Lee, Joel Link, and the Viano String Quartet. An advocate for community outreach, Jonathan is a second-year member of DACAMERA’s Young Artist Program, a fellowship program for emerging professional instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers that serves the Houston community.

As a founding member of Trio Menil, Jonathan performs in a Houston-based piano trio formed at Rice University. Trio Menil received the Grand Prize at the Plowman Chamber Music Competition in 2023. Their 2024 season includes performances at the Aperio Concert Series, as well as competing in the 2024 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in South Bend, Indiana.

Jonathan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under the guidance of Jon Kimura Parker. He holds a Master’s of Music and a Master’s of Musical Arts degree from the Yale School of Music, studying with Boris Slutsky. He received his Bachelor’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Dr. Daniel Shapiro, as well as minors in Viola and German. For more information visit www.jonathan makpiano.com.

Tong Wang (tong-wang.com) is a Canadian pianist recognized for her innovative contributions to performance, research, and community engagement. Her work investigates the intersection of art with identity, culture, and contemporary issues. Tong’s performance highlights include collaborations with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, and ensembles throughout North America and Europe. A versatile artist, she has spearheaded the creation of a new horror anime opera “Labyrinth of Tears” alongside research into the aesthetics of “cuteness” in music, supported by the Canada Council, FRQSC, and SSHRC doctoral grants. Tong’s recent projects have explored multiculturalism, diaspora identity, and climate issues, including her solo tour “我们Us” in Lunenburg, Montreal, Basel, Verbier, and her tour with DoSi, “Homecoming”, “Wanting to Start Again”, and “Dark Tales” across Canada, US, and eastern Europe. In 2022, she co-founded the Windwood Music Festival in Airdrie, Alberta to bring classical chamber music to rural communities. In the past seasons, she performed with Barbara Hannigan, Lyrica Baroque, Xenia Concerts, and toured with the Wang-Dietz duo in China. In the upcoming seasons, Tong will be touring solo recitals with Debut Atlantic (2025/26) and Prairie Debut (2026/27). Tong is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and the Schulich School of Music. She continues to embark on solo and chamber tours across North America, Europe, and Asia, showcasing her dedication to fostering global connections through art.

Tong Wang (tong-wang.com) est une pianiste canadienne reconnue pour ses contributions novatrices dans les domaines de I’interprétation, de la recherche et de l’engagement communautaire. Son travail explore les liens entre l’art, l’identité, la culture et les enjeux contemporains. Parmi les moments forts de la carrière de Tong, on peut citer ses collaborations avec l’Orchestre symphonique d’Edmonton, l’Orchestre symphonique de Red Deer et divers ensembles en Amérique du Nord et en Europe. Artiste polyvalente, elle a dirigé la création d’un nouvel opéra d’horreur animé, « Labyrinth of Tears » (Labyrinthe des larmes), tout en menant des recherches sur l’esthétique du côté « mignon » de la musique, avec le soutien du Conseil des arts du Canada, du FRQSC (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture) et des bourses de doctorat du CRSH (Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada). Les projets récents de Tong ont exploré le multiculturalisme, l’identité de la diaspora et les questions climatiques, notamment sa tournée solo « 我们Us » (Nous) à Lunenburg, Montréal, Bâle, Verbier, et sa tournée avec DoSi, « Homecoming » (Retour à la maison), « Wanting to Start Again » (Le désir de recommencer) et « Dark Tales » (Contes obscurs) à travers le Canada, les États-Unis et l’Europe de l’Est. En 2022, elle a cofondé le Festival de musique Windwood à Airdrie, en Alberta, afin de faire découvrir la musique de chambre aux communautés rurales. Au cours des dernières saisons, elle a joué avec Barbara Hannigan, Lyrica Baroque, Xenia Concerts, et a effectué une tournée avec le duo Wang-Dietz en Chine. Au cours des prochaines saisons, Tong effectuera des tournées de récitals en solo avec Début atlantique (2025‑2026) et Prairie Debut (2026‑2027). Tong est diplômée du New England Conservatory et de l’École de musique Schulich. Elle continue à se lancer dans des tournées en solo et en musique de chambre à travers l’Amérique du Nord, l’Europe et l’Asie, démontrant ainsi son engagement à favoriser les relations internationales à travers l’art.

Concert Description:

“Towards the Flame” is a program of darkness and light, of fire and ice. From Chopin and Scriabin’s tragic epics, transfused with dignity and pain, to Ho and Stravinsky’s kaleidoscopic, mystical fairytales, the music traverses through many realms of extraordinary intensity and anguish. Each of these works contain a unique universe of their own, but they all come down to the same shared human pathos: the duality of suffering and hope, grief and joy–the coexistence of hope and despair, shadow and light. There’s a musical journey that parallels the emotional journey we often find ourselves repeating in our lives. Even knowing the pain that is inevitable with love, tenderness, and vulnerability, how must we face and embrace our struggles, limitations, and fears? How can we come to terms with the darkest moments we want to redefine? Do we dare to raise ourselves to the light? Ultimately, “Towards the Flame” is a story of courage, belief, and acceptance.

Description du concert:

Towards the Flame (Vers la flamme) est un programme qui oppose l’obscurité et la lumière, le feu et la glace. Des épopées tragiques de Chopin et Scriabine, empreintes de dignité et de douleur, aux contes de fées mystiques et kaléidoscopiques de Ho et Stravinsky, la musique traverse de nombreux univers d’une intensité et d’une angoisse extraordinaires. Chacune de ces œuvres contient un univers qui lui est propre, mais elles se rejoignent toutes dans le même pathos humain : la dualité de la souffrance et de l’espoir, du chagrin et de la joie, la coexistence de l’espoir et du désespoir, de l’ombre et de la lumière. Il existe un voyage musical qui correspond au voyage émotionnel que nous répétons souvent dans nos vies. Même en connaissant la douleur inévitable liée à l’amour, à la tendresse et à la vulnérabilité, comment devons-nous affronter et accepter nos luttes, nos limites et nos peurs? Comment pouvons-nous accepter les moments les plus sombres que nous voulons redéfinir? Osons-nous nous élever vers la lumière? En fin de compte, Towards the Flame est une histoire de courage, de croyance et d’acceptation.

Comprised of the brilliant Edyelwys Silva (flute), Thomas Chartré (cello), and Jeanne Frenette (piano), Ensemble Callinos brings to life major works and original transcriptions written or arranged for this unique instrumental trio. Deeply committed to artistic diversity, Ensemble Callinos is also dedicated to showcasing underrepresented composers, particularly those whose works are rarely performed. Through thoughtful programming, they strive to bring greater visibility to these voices and expand the traditional classical repertoire.

Their socially engaged approach ensures that music reaches diverse audiences through innovative and heartfelt projects. Since their foundation in 2022, they have partnered with organizations such as Share the Warmth, le Chaînon, and CHSLD VIGI-Reine-Elisabeth, performing concerts that support and uplift vulnerable communities.

In 2025, Ensemble Callinos will embark on an exciting musical journey to share their passion for French music with audiences across the Maritimes and Quebec. Through their captivating projects, Rêveries and Panorama français, and with the support of Debut Atlantic and Jeunesses musicales Canada, the ensemble will explore the rich and diverse landscape of French musical heritage.

Concert Description:

The lyricism of the flute, cello, and piano trio comes alive in the hands of Ensemble Callinos, whose refined artistry brings vivid expression to this program of French and French-inspired works. Philippe Gaubert’s Trois aquarelles opens with impressionistic charm, evoking nature and light with delicate fluidity. Auguste Descarries offers a heartfelt Canadian homage in his Complainte d’après un “Canadien errant”, steeped in nostalgia and national identity. Gabriel Pierné’s Sonata da camera sparkles with elegance and wit, while Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune unfolds as a sensuous, dreamlike reverie. Closing the program is Louise Farrenc’s formidable Trio op. 45, a masterful blend of drama, lyricism, and virtuosic flair. From luminous textures to passionate contrasts, Ensemble Callinos invites you on a journey through soundscapes that are both intimate and richly expressive.

L’Ensemble Callinos incarne l’essence même de la beauté lyrique grâce à son mélange captivant de flûte, violoncelle et piano. Le nom « Callinos » s’inspire de Calliope, muse de la poésie, et de Linos, maître légendaire de la lyre, reflétant parfaitement la mission artistique de l’ensemble.

Composé des brillants Edyelwys Silva (flûte), Thomas Chartré (violoncelle) et Jeanne Frenette (piano), l’Ensemble Callinos donne vie à des œuvres majeures et à des transcriptions originales écrites ou arrangées pour ce trio instrumental unique. Profondément engagé dans la diversité artistique, l’Ensemble Callinos se consacre également à la mise en valeur de compositeurs sous-représentés, en particulier ceux dont les œuvres sont rarement jouées. Grâce à une programmation réfléchie, ils s’efforcent de donner plus de visibilité à ces voix et d’élargir le répertoire classique traditionnel.

Leur approche socialement engagée permet à la musique d’atteindre des publics diversifiés grâce à des projets novateurs et sincères. Depuis leur fondation en 2022, ils ont établi des partenariats avec des organismes tels que Partageons l’espoir, le Chaînon et le CHSLD VIGI-Reine-Elisabeth, donnant des concerts qui soutiennent et réconfortent les communautés vulnérables.

En 2025, l’Ensemble Callinos se lancera dans un passionnant voyage musical afin de partager son amour de la musique française avec le public des Maritimes et du Québec. À travers ses projets captivants, Rêveries et Panorama français, et avec le soutien de Début Atlantique et Jeunesses musicales Canada, l’ensemble explorera le paysage riche et diversifié du patrimoine musical français.

Courte description du concert

Le lyrisme du trio flûte, violoncelle et piano prend vie sous les doigts de l’Ensemble Callinos, dont le raffinement artistique donne toute son expression à ce programme d’œuvres françaises et d’inspiration française. Les Trois aquarelles de Philippe Gaubert ouvrent le concert avec un charme impressionniste, évoquant la nature et la lumière avec une délicate fluidité. Auguste Descarries rend un hommage sincère au Canada dans sa Complainte d’après un « Canadien errant », imprégnée de nostalgie et d’identité nationale. La Sonata da camera de Gabriel Pierné brille par son élégance et son esprit, tandis que le Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune de Debussy se déploie comme une rêverie sensuelle et onirique. Le programme se termine par le formidable Trio op. 45 de Louise Farrenc, un mélange magistral de drame, de lyrisme et de virtuosité. Des textures lumineuses aux contrastes passionnés, l’Ensemble Callinos vous invite à un voyage à travers des paysages sonores à la fois intimes et riches en expressions.

Hailed by La Scena Musicale as a rising star, Tiohtià:ke/Montréal-based pianist David Potvin is known for playing that is “always controlled and beautiful” (Chris Wolf, Classic 107). As the winner of the 2022 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, he went on a recital tour across Canada, performing programs of all Canadian piano music. He recorded repertoire from that tour on his debut album, Catharsis, which was described as “distinctive and highly accomplished” (Gramophone Magazine). He can also be heard on composer-pianist Edward Enman’s album Breathe In, Breathe Out, performing music for piano duo. His performances have been broadcast on radio stations across Canada, including the CBC.

David is a versatile performer with a wide range of repertoire. His imaginative programs seamlessly combine standard repertoire and contemporary music with a focus on Canadian composers. Recent concert highlights include the American premieres of numerous Canadian works at the University of Arkansas, a recital with violinist Martin Beaver, and a recital in collaboration with the Canadian Music Centre celebrating the works of Quebec composer Jacques Hétu. He has also performed for the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg, the Regina Musical Club, the Bathurst Chamber Music Festival, and the Scotia Festival of Music. Internationally, David has performed in festivals in the USA, France, Romania, and England. His overseas appearances have been supported by the Nova Scotia Talent Trust.

Equally passionate about teaching, David maintains a private piano studio where he teaches students of all ages in both of Canada’s official languages. He has also given masterclasses at universities across Canada and the United States. He is a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners, and he has adjudicated for festivals and competitions across Canada. He is a member of the Quebec Registered Music Teachers Association.

David received his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Toronto in the fall of 2020. There, he studied with Marietta Orlov and won the DMA recital competition. His thesis on the pianist Ricardo Viñes, who premiered many solo piano works by Ravel and Debussy, brought new information about this celebrated musician into English-language scholarship.

David is currently researching Léo-Pol Morin, a Quebec pianist and critic who was instrumental in bringing the avant-garde musical movement to Canada. He plans to record Morin’s compositions alongside the music of his contemporaries.

In his spare time, David enjoys watching soccer, cooking, exploring Montréal, and trying to keep up with his busy toddler.

Drew Jurecka, bandoneon/violin/vocals

Joseph Phillips, bass

Mark Camilleri, piano

Payadora is an award-winning ensemble that performs arrangements drawing from Argentinian/Uruguayan traditions (tangos, milongas, waltzes, and folk music such as the Zamba and chacarera), as well as original songs inspired by that tradition.  Comprised of musicians who are each musical powerhouses in their own right, this “superstar group” has combined their profound love of tango with their classical, jazz, and global music backgrounds to create something entirely new. Payadora is officially endorsed by the Argentinian Consulate in Toronto for its adherence to the spirit of tango, and audiences flock to performances that convey joy, virtuosity, humour, and intense passion.

Since 2013, Payadora has presented concerts and sold-out shows at the National Arts Centre, Ottawa Chamberfest, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, Stratford Summer Music, Toronto Summer Music, Festival of the Sound, Vancouver Island MusicFest, Toronto Jazzfest, the COC’s World Music Series at the Four Seasons Centre, and the World Accordion & Tango Festival in Victoria.  Payadora has also collaborated with the London Symphonia, the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony, the Hannaford Street Silver Band, and the PointeTango Dance Company – exploring the intersection between classical dance and earthy tango.

In the spring of 2023, Payadora’s third and latest CD, the critically acclaimed “Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango”, reached #1 on the World Music Charts in Europe. It received rave reviews, airtime, and press coverage around the globe, including the BBC, CTV, CBC television and radio, the Bangkok Post, NPR, and RTE Irish Public Radio. “…The most memorable release I have ever had the privilege to listen to and review” (WholeNote Magazine). “Silent Tears” is currently #17 on the Transglobal World Music Chart.

They have received creation and recording grants from numerous agencies, including the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. Additionally, they were awarded a generous grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to create a multi-arts digital presentation of an Argentine folk tale told through music, dance, illustration, and words.

Across the globe, they have won numerous awards for their work. During Payadora’s November 2023 tour of South America, they won “Best New Piece” at the 2023 Yiddish Music Awards in São Paolo. Their most recent tour of Europe in June of 2024 included an appearance at Germany’s renowned Rudolstadt Festival, where they were winners of the German World Music Award (Weltmusikpreis Ruth Award) for their “Silent Tears” program.

Payadora est un ensemble primé qui interprète des arrangements tirés des traditions argentines et uruguayennes (tangos, milongas, valses et musique folklorique comme la Zamba et la chacarera), ainsi que des chansons originales inspirées de ces traditions. Composé de musiciens qui sont chacun une puissance musicale à part entière, ce « groupe de superstars » a combiné son amour profond du tango avec sa formation en musique classique, en jazz et en musique du monde pour créer quelque chose d’entièrement nouveau. Payadora est officiellement reconnu par le Consulat d’Argentine à Toronto pour son adhésion à l’esprit du tango, et les spectateurs se pressent pour assister à des spectacles où se mêlent joie, virtuosité, humour et passion intense.

Depuis 2013, Payadora a présenté des concerts et des spectacles à guichets fermés au Centre national des Arts, au Festival de chambre d’Ottawa, au St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, au Harbourfront Centre de Toronto, à Stratford Summer Music, à Toronto Summer Music, au Festival of the Sound, au Vancouver Island MusicFest, au Toronto Jazzfest, à COC’s World Music Series au Four Seasons Centre, et au World Accordion & Tango Festival à Victoria.  Payadora a également collaboré avec le London Symphonia, le Cathedral Bluffs Symphony, le Hannaford Street Silver Band et la PointeTango Dance Company, explorant l’intersection entre la danse classique et le tango traditionnel.

Au printemps 2023, le troisième et dernier CD de Payadora, « Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango » (Larmes silencieuses : Le dernier tango yiddish), acclamé par la critique, a atteint la première place des World Music Charts (Classement des musiques du monde) en Europe. Il a fait l’objet de critiques élogieuses, de temps d’antenne et d’une couverture médiatique dans le monde entier, notamment sur la BBC, CTV, la télévision et la radio de la CBC, le Bangkok Post, NPR et la radio publique irlandaise RTE. « C’est l’album le plus mémorable que j’ai eu le privilège d’écouter et de chroniquer » (WholeNote Magazine). « Silent Tears » occupe actuellement la 17^e place du Transglobal World Music Chart.

Ils ont reçu des subventions de création et d’enregistrement de la part de nombreuses agences, dont le Conseil des arts de l’Ontario et le Conseil des arts de Toronto. En outre, ils ont reçu une généreuse subvention du Conseil des Arts du Canada pour créer une présentation numérique multidisciplinaire d’un conte populaire argentin raconté par la musique, la danse, l’illustration et les mots.

À travers le monde, ils ont reçu de nombreux prix pour leur travail. Lors de la tournée de Payadora en Amérique du Sud en novembre 2023, ils ont remporté le prix de la « meilleure nouvelle pièce » aux 2023 Yiddish Music Awards à São Paolo. Leur tournée européenne la plus récente, en juin 2024, comprenait une apparition au célèbre festival allemand de Rudolstadt, où ils ont remporté le prix allemand de la musique du monde (Weltmusikpreis Ruth Award) pour leur programme « Silent Tears ».

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

Renowned internationally as a prize-winning collaborative pair, the duo has been featured in CollabFest and Collabaret 2020, and the International Keyboard Collaborative Arts Society in 2021. Noteworthy accolades include the First Prize at the Puerto Rico Collaborative Piano Competition, and a fellowship with the Toronto Summer Music Festival where they worked under the tutelage of Wolfram Rieger, Benjamin Appl, and Steven Philcox. They also participated in the Evolution Classical artistic residency at the Banff Centre, mentored by David Harrington and Paul Wiancko from the Kronos Quartet, the Gryphon Trio, Dinuk Wijeratne, Tom Allen, Patricia O’Callaghan, Marie Jossée Chartier, and Parmela Attariwara.

Highlights of their previous season include their inaugural national tour with Prairie Debut and the debut of ‘Circular Sky’ – a commissioned piece by composer Alice Ping Yee Ho and writer Madeleine Thien, supported by SOCAN, Prairie Debut, and the Canada Council for the Arts. This collaboration sparked ‘AIRE,’ a thematic exploration of immigration and belonging within their repertoire.

In recognition of their artistic vision, the Duo received a Canada Council for the Arts grant, facilitating collaborations with costume designer Madeline LeBlanc and graphic designer Paula Vergara. This collaboration culminated in the visual elements for ‘AIRE y TIERRA’.

Their performances have been showcased on the stages of Music Toronto’s Celebration of Small Ensembles Concert Series, Music Monday Toronto, 5 at the First, and London’s In Diversity There is Harmony. Looking ahead to the 24/25 season, they look forward to touring ‘AIRE y TIERRA’ with Debut Atlantic.

Camila and Yolanda call Toronto home, where they continuously explore new avenues in their artistic journeys, driven by a deep commitment to forging genuine and impactful connections with their audiences.

Camila Montefusco

Camila Montefusco is a storyteller at heart. Born in Brazil, the mezzo-soprano started her career as a violinist, playing classical and popular music in numerous Symphony Orchestras. She eventually fell in love with the voice while performing as a pit musician for opera productions, and since then, has won a series of vocal competitions in Brazil, Canada, the US, and Russia. She received her master’s in voice from Western University and was a 21-22 Rebanks Fellow at the Glenn Gould School.

As a co-founder of the Obsidiana Duo, Camila is dedicated to the importance of Ibero-American musical culture and history. By bringing the music of historically overlooked composers to the stage, she strives to amplify the voices of communities that have long been silenced. In the 23/24 season, the duo completed their first national tour on the artistic roster of Prairie Debut, and in 24/25 they will tour their latest curation with Debut Atlantic.

This season, Camila will appear with the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, making her mainstage debut as Maman in L’enfant et les sortilèges. Whether in opera or recital, she hopes to connect with people through art and inspire change in a world that hungers for it.

Yolanda Tapia

Yolanda Tapia is a multifaceted musician, international pianist, educator, vocal coach, and Fulbright Scholar. She is actively engaged with numerous educational institutions, such as the University of Toronto, El Sistema Toronto, and the Community Music Schools of Toronto. Previously, she was the staff and collaborative pianist at the Instituto Superior de Música in Veracruz and Western University.

Her commitment to the music community is evident through co-founding collaborativepianist.info and Cybercollab 2021. As a member of Obsidiana Duo, Yolanda has embarked on national tours with Prairie Debut and Debut Atlantic alongside her duo partner, Camila Montefusco.

Mexican-born, Yolanda has performed as a soloist with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra and CSU Symphony Orchestra.  As an orchestral and chamber musician, she has performed with various ensembles, including a residency with Holland America’s Lincoln Center Stage Piano Quartet. She has won awards at Mexico’s Chamber Music National Competition, the CSU concerto competition, Xalapa Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and the Kiwanis Festival.

She has taught piano and collaborative piano masterclasses at the University of Veracruz, FIM Loja in Ecuador, Cambrian College, and presented lecture recitals at CollabFest2021, Latin American Chamber Players, Western University, and El Canto Online.

Yolanda holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Veracruz, a Master of Music degree from Colorado State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Western Ontario. When not performing, she delights in experiencing live music across a spectrum of genres, ranging from heavy metal and punk – to rock and jazz.

La pianiste Yolanda Tapia et la chanteuse Camila Montefusco ont participé à la fondation du duo Obsidiana avec une mission claire : célébrer la riche tapisserie de la culture musicale ibéro-américaine et amplifier les voix des compositeurs historiquement négligés.

Reconnu internationalement comme un duo collaboratif primé, le duo a été présenté au CollabFest et au Collabaret 2020, ainsi qu’à l’International Keyboard Collaborative Arts Society (Société internationale des arts collaboratifs du clavier) en 2021. Le duo a notamment remporté le premier prix de la Puerto Rico Collaborative Piano Competition et a bénéficié d’une bourse du Toronto Summer Music Festival, où il a travaillé sous la tutelle de Wolfram Rieger, Benjamin Appl et Steven Philcox. Ils ont également participé à la résidence artistique Evolution Classical au Banff Centre, encadrés par David Harrington et Paul Wiancko du Kronos Quartet, le Gryphon Trio, Dinuk Wijeratne, Tom Allen, Patricia O’Callaghan, Marie Jossée Chartier et Parmela Attariwara.

Parmi les faits saillants de la saison précédente, mentionnons la tournée nationale inaugurale avec Prairie Debut et les débuts de « Circular Sky », une pièce commandée à la compositrice Alice Ping Yee Ho et à l’écrivaine Madeleine Thien, avec le soutien de la SOCAN, de Prairie Debut et du Conseil des arts du Canada. Cette collaboration a donné naissance à « AIRE », une exploration thématique de l’immigration et de l’appartenance au sein de leur répertoire.

En reconnaissance de leur vision artistique, le duo a reçu une subvention du Conseil des arts du Canada, ce qui a facilité les collaborations avec la costumière Madeline LeBlanc et la graphiste Paula Vergara. Cette collaboration a abouti aux éléments visuels de « AIRE y TIERRA ».

Leurs concerts ont été présentés sur les scènes de Celebration of Small Ensembles Concert Series de Music Toronto, Music Monday Toronto, 5 at the First, et In Diversity There is Harmony de London. En prévision de la saison 2024‑2025, ils sont enthousiastes à l’idée de faire la tournée « AIRE y TIERRA » avec Début Atlantique.

Camila et Yolanda ont élu domicile à Toronto, où elles explorent sans cesse de nouvelles voies dans leur parcours artistique, animées par un profond engagement à forger des liens authentiques et percutants avec leur public.

Camila Montefusco

Camila Montefusco est une conteuse passionnée. Née au Brésil, cette mezzo-soprano a commencé sa carrière comme violoniste, jouant de la musique classique et populaire dans de nombreux orchestres symphoniques. Elle est ensuite tombée amoureuse de la voix en jouant comme musicienne dans la fosse d’orchestre pour des productions d’opéra. Depuis, elle a remporté une série de concours vocaux au Brésil, au Canada, aux États-Unis et en Russie. Elle a obtenu une maîtrise en chant à l’université Western et a été titulaire de la bourse de perfectionnement Rebanks en 2021-2022 à l’École Glenn Gould.

Cofondatrice du duo Obsidiana, Camila se consacre à l’importance de la culture et de l’histoire musicales ibéro-américaines. En portant à la scène la musique de compositeurs historiquement négligés, elle s’efforce d’amplifier les voix de communautés qui ont longtemps été réduites au silence. Au cours de la saison 2023-2024, le duo a effectué sa première tournée nationale sur la liste artistique de Prairie Debut, et en 2024-2025, il effectuera la tournée de sa dernière création avec Début Atlantique.

Cette saison, Camila se produira avec l’Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal et fera ses débuts sur scène dans le rôle de Maman dans L’enfant et les sortilèges. Que ce soit à l’opéra ou en récital, elle espère établir un lien avec les gens par le biais de l’art et inspirer le changement dans un monde qui en a soif.

Yolanda Tapia

Yolanda Tapia est une musicienne aux multiples facettes, une pianiste internationale, une éducatrice, une coach vocale et une boursière Fulbright. Elle collabore activement avec de nombreux établissements d’enseignement, tels que l’université de Toronto, El Sistema Toronto et les Community Music Schools of Toronto (Écoles de musique communautaires de Toronto). Auparavant, elle a été pianiste collaboratrice à l’Instituto Superior de Música (Institut supérieur de musique) de Veracruz et à l’Université Western.

Son engagement envers la communauté musicale se manifeste par le fait qu’elle a participé à la fondation de Cybercollab 2021. En tant que membre du duo Obsidiana, Yolanda a participé à des tournées nationales avec Prairie Debut et Début Atlantique aux côtés de sa partenaire, Camila Montefusco.

D’origine mexicaine, Yolanda s’est produite en tant que soliste avec l’orchestre symphonique de Xalapa et le CSU Symphony Orchestra (Orchestre symphonique de l’université du Colorado).  En tant que musicienne d’orchestre et de chambre, elle s’est produite avec divers ensembles, notamment lors d’une résidence avec le quatuor de piano du centre Lincoln de Holland America. Elle a remporté des prix au concours national de musique de chambre du Mexique, au concours de concerto de la CSU, au concours de concerto de l’orchestre symphonique de Xalapa et au festival Kiwanis.

Elle a enseigné le piano et des classes de maître de piano collaboratif à l’université de Veracruz, au FIM Loja (Festival international de musique de Loja) en Équateur, au Cambrian College, et a présenté des récitals de conférences au CollabFest2021, aux Latin American Chamber Players (Orchestre de chambre latino-américain), à l’université Western et à El Canto Online.

Yolanda est titulaire d’un baccalauréat en musique de l’université de Veracruz, d’une maîtrise de musique de l’université d’État du Colorado et d’un doctorat en arts musicaux de l’université de Western Ontario. Lorsqu’elle ne présente pas de spectacle, elle aime découvrir la musique en direct à travers un éventail de genres, allant du heavy métal et du punk au rock et au jazz.

Visit Obsidiana Duo’s Media Resources page to see more performance videos, read interviews, and more!

Created by cellist Daniel Hamin Go and pianist Jean-Luc Therrien, the Therrien-Go Duo’s fortuitous encounter occurred in the illustrious setting of the Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Residency Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Their convergence forged a dynamic partnership that has since captivated audiences across Canada. With an innate connection that electrifies the stage, their music is a mesmerizing fusion of thought-provoking interpretation, innovative collaboration, and a sincere dedication to community engagement, both near and far.

Créé par le violoncelliste Daniel Hamin Go et le pianiste Jean-Luc Therrien, le Duo Therrien-Go a vu le jour dans le cadre de la bourse de la famille Rebanks au Conservatoire royal de musique. Leur convergence a donné naissance à un partenariat dynamique qui a depuis captivé les auditoires partout au Canada. Décrit comme « autoritaire, posé et débordant d’élan » (Jonathan Freeman-Atwood), Daniel Hamin Go s’est produit dans toute l’Amérique du Nord et l’Europe, notamment dans les salles de concert Berliner Philharmonie, Cadogan et Carnegie. Finaliste et lauréat de plusieurs concours, dont le Concours Prix d’Europe, le pianiste canadien Jean-Luc Therrien a vu son premier album solo Piano Preludes, qui vient de sortir sur étiquette Orpheus Classical en 2021, choisi par CBC Music comme l’une des meilleures parutions de l’année 2021.

Visit the Therrien-Go Duo’s Media Resources page to see more performance videos, read interviews, and more!