Programming Features

Private Instruction

Learn from the masters you’ve long admired. Soak up their teachings and fine-tune your technique.

Students in both the Senior and Precollege levels receive private instruction throughout their program, usually scheduled in the mornings.

“During my time at the Young Artists Program, I was able to work with incredible teachers and students that helped me to grow as a musician. I am forever grateful for this experience and will treasure my memories here at the Young Artists Program for the rest of my life.” – Solana Frebold, Precollege Violin 2018

Chamber Music Coaching

Delve into the score of your chamber music assignment and explore the music. Exchange ideas with your chamber music peers. Learn from the experts in your coaching sessions.

Ensembles meet every afternoon to rehearse their assigned works, and meet regularly with one or more chamber music coaches. 

“What makes this program special is the truly outstanding level of instruction we receive from both the violin faculty and the chamber coaches. I have not only had a great three weeks of chamber music, I’ve also tremendously improved my technique and my musicianship.” – Daniel Dastoor, Senior Violin 2018

Masterclasses & Concerts

To learn is to play, ask, watch and listen. Play in the recitals and chamber music concerts, ask questions, watch masterclasses and listen to the NAC Orchestra in concert. Take it all in.

Masterclasses

There will be masterclasses with faculty, held in Freiman Hall at the University of Ottawa and in the Rossy Pavilion at the National Arts Centre. YAP Founder and Artistic Director Pinchas Zukerman and Co-Artistic Director Patty Kopec, and Hans Jørgen Jensen will teach classes in their respective instruments featuring some of their current YAP students. Arianna Zukerman and Bryan Wagorn will repeat their masterclass featuring vocal and piano students, and for the first time at the YAP, Joel Quarrington will offer a double bass masterclass. In the second week of the 2019 program, Angela Cheng will lead a piano masterclass. All details will be available on the NAC website.

Each of these professional sessions touches on not only instrumental technique but also on posture, listening, tuning, teaching methods, and communication of important musical ideas.

Concerts

Casual works-in-progress concerts during the YAP give students the opportunity to play selections from their assigned chamber pieces and other ensemble work before their final performances. Senior students will perform in one of three formal final concerts on June 18, 19 and 20, 2019. Precollege ensembles will perform in their final formal concert on June 22, 2019.

“I have learned and improved so much through lessons, coaching, performing, rehearsals and watching my friends’ concerts within these three weeks.” – Xue Ding, Senior Viola 2018

Physiotherapy for Musicians

Discover new ways to address problems and take care of yourself in preparation for your musical life.

Pat Palmer, manual physiotherapist, promotes preventative and healthy physical habits that will help maintain a successful musical career. Students can book individual private sessions with Cathy.

“The Young Artists Program is an amazing music festival. During my two years at this program, I have continually been inspired by my cello professor Hans Jorgen Jensen and by my peers as well. Even as a cellist, I have greatly enjoyed learning from Pinchas Zukerman during his violin and viola masterclass. Hearing my peers play such wonderful classical music is extremely heart-warming to me.” – Jeremy Tai, Senior Cello 2018

Divisional Programming

• Precollege students will attend and participate in closed violin/viola and cello masterclasses
• Hans Jørgen Jensen will hold several closed all-celli classes for Senior level cellists, and one for Precollege level cellists
• Joel Quarrington will lead several group double-bass classes
• The five wind students will have unique, dedicated one-on-one mentorship and instruction with the five NAC Orchestra wind principals studying solo and orchestral repertoire
• Special five-on-five wind sessions will focus on orchestral excerpts and audition techniques
• Pianists will participate in collaborative works with vocal students

Other Special Features

• Students may attend NAC Orchestra rehearsals or concerts
• Social reading nights are planned throughout the program and provide students the opportunity to let their hair down and play any chamber repertoire with others who may not be in their assigned chamber ensemble. Food and atmosphere abound and students get to know each other on a whole new level.
• A panel of NAC Orchestra members will answer questions about the life of a musician.
• Check out Live Rush (http://nac-cna.ca/en/liverush) and Student Discounts (http://nac-cna.ca/en/students) for other NAC programming during the YAP.

Housing and Meals

• All students stay at the University of Ottawa New Residence at 90 University, just a two-minute walk from the School of Music. Those students under the age of majority (18 and under) will have chaperone supervision.
• All students will receive assistance with the cost of their food for the duration of the program in addition to enjoying occasional catered meals with their peers and faculty. Those students 16 years of age and younger will benefit from a daily prepared evening meal.