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Alexander Shelley
Alexander Shelley succeeded Pinchas Zukerman as Music Director of Canada’s NAC Orchestra in September 2015. The ensemble has since been praised as being “transformed... hungry, bold, and unleashed” (Ottawa Citizen) and Shelley’s programming credited for turning the orchestra into “one of the more audacious in North America” (Maclean’s).
Shelley is a champion of Canadian creation; recent hallmarks include the multimedia projects Life Reflected and UNDISRUPTED,and three major new ballets in partnership with NAC Dance for Encount3rs. He is passionate about arts education and nurturing the next generation of musicians. He is an Ambassador for Ottawa’s OrKidstra, a charitable social development program that teaches children life skills through making music together.
Alexander Shelley is also the Principal Associate Conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and, starting with the 2024–2025 season, Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples and the Naples Philharmonic in Florida, USA. In the spring of 2019, he led the NAC Orchestra on its critically acclaimed 50th Anniversary European tour, and in 2017, he led the Orchestra in a tour across Canada, celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary. Most recently, he led the Orchestra in its first performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 30 years.
He has made eight recordings with the NAC Orchestra, including the JUNO-nominated New Worlds, Life Reflected, ENCOUNT3RS, The Bounds of Our Dreams, and the acclaimed Clara, Robert, Johannes four-album series, all with Canadian label Analekta.
The Music Director role is supported by Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, C.M., O.N.L., LL.D. (hc)
Upcoming events
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Presented by Audi
Montero's Latin Concerto Montero's Latin Concerto Montero's Latin Concerto
& Shelley conducts RavelA portrait of Latin America in all its splendour.
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Free Livestream
Presented by AudiMontero's Latin Concerto Montero's Latin Concerto Montero's Latin Concerto
& Shelley conducts RavelFeel all the passion and sizzle of Latin America as NAC Orchestra Creative Partner Gabriela Montero performs her Latin Concerto, “a portrait of Latin America in all its …
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In-person
Online personality and violinist extraordinaire Ray Chen has redefined what it is to be a classical musician.
Projects & initiatives
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Romance and Counterpoint
The NAC Orchestra’s final album in a four-part recording cycle that explores the closely intertwined personal and artistic connections between three musical giants: Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
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NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program
Play it forward! A bold and innovative professional development initiative for talented emerging and early career professional orchestral creatives from around the world.
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UNDISRUPTED: A ground-breaking series
Four Canadian musical visionaries have created episodes with the NAC Orchestra that use the power of music and video to share their stories.