Artists

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  Featuring NAC Orchestra

  

  Featuring NAC Orchestra

  Since its debut in 1969, the National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra has been praised for the passion and clarity of its performances, its visionary educational programs, and its prominent role in nurturing Canadian creativity. Under the leadership of Music Director Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra reflects the fabric and values of Canada, reaching and representing the diverse communities we live in with daring programming, powerful storytelling, inspiring artistry, and innovative partnerships.

  Alexander Shelley began his tenure as Music Director in 2015, following Pinchas Zukerman’s 16 seasons at the helm. Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Chief Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra (2009–2017), he has been in demand around the world, conducting the Rotterdam Philharmonic, DSO Berlin, Leipzig Gewandhaus, and Stockholm Philharmonic, among others, and maintains a regular relationship with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie and the German National Youth Orchestra.

  Each season, the NAC Orchestra features world-class artists such as the newly appointed Artist-in-Residence James Ehnes, Angela Hewitt, Joshua Bell, Xian Zhang, Gabriela Montero, Stewart Goodyear, Jan Lisiecki, and Principal Guest Conductor John Storgårds. As one of the most accessible, inclusive, and collaborative orchestras in the world, the NAC Orchestra uses music as a universal language to communicate the deepest of human emotions and connect people through shared experiences.

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  Conductor David Thies-Thompson

  

  Conductor David Thies-Thompson

  David was born in Kenya where his father served as a missionary doctor. When David was 5 years old his family moved back to Canada and settled in Victoria, BC. David began violin lessons at the age of 7, first by Suzuki method, and later at the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) with Sydney Humphreys. He received diplomas from the VCM and the Royal Conservatory of Music.

  Focused on orchestral playing, David particularly enjoyed his studies at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, McGill University, and the Eastman School of Music. His teachers have included Mauricio Fuks and Stuart Knussen for orchestral coaching.

  His professional orchestral life began at the age of 15 as a violinist with the Victoria Symphony. After a brief hiatus for more schooling, he joined Symphony Nova Scotia in 1988. In 1990, David left Halifax for Ottawa to take a position in the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) as a violinist. After 18 years in the NACO’s violin section, David looked for a new musical challenge and thus, in 2008, he changed instruments and joined the viola section. In addition to his current position in the NACO, David has also appeared as a guest musician with other orchestras and chamber ensembles including the Winnipeg Symphony, the Gryphon Trio, and the Berlin Philharmonic. 

  David has performed as concertmaster with Thirteen Strings, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the Opera Lyra Ottawa Orchestra. He frequently appears on the National Arts Centre’s 'Music for a Sunday Afternoon' series, and at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, the Music and Beyond Festival, and more recently the Festival aux iles du Bic.

  David also enjoys conducting. He served as Music Director of the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra from 1999 to 2013 and now conducts the NACO Players Association Fanfair concert. He is also a key coordinator for the annual fundraising campaign for The Ottawa FoodBank and the Snowsuit Fund.  

  David is an active member of Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa, where he is now the Artistic Director of the Cathedral’s eclectic, multi-disciplinary Cathedral Arts program. David enjoys an active teaching studio, gardening, and spending time with his family.

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  Violin Justin Saulnier

  

  Violin Justin Saulnier

  Justin Saulnier is a 18-year-old violinist from Orléans, Ontario. He was the recipient of the Lloyd Carr-Harris String Scholarship to attend McGill University Schulich School of music and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in violin performance with Andrew Wan.  

  He was the concertmaster of Canada’s National Youth Orchestra for their 2022 season. He is also the former concertmaster of the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and the Ottawa Youth Orchestra. He has also shared the stage with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Thirteen Strings, the Ottawa Pops Orchestra, and the Parkdale Orchestra.

  As a soloist, Justin has received many awards, notably the first prize in the OMFA’s provincial competition, the Kinsmen Club Shield Trophy, the RCM Gold Medal, and the Edythe Young Browne Trophy. He is also the winner of the 2023 McGill Concerto Competition. He made his orchestral solo debut at age 12 with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and since then, has performed with the Pembroke Symphony Orchestra and the Ottawa Youth Orchestra. He was also invited to perform at la Chapelle du Bon-Pasteur, the RCM Celebration of Excellence, the Chamberfest Rising Stars concert, and the Southminster Church Doors Open For Music concert series. He has performed in masterclasses for many prominent violinists, such as James Ehnes, Catherine Cho, Mikhail Kopelman, Jonathan Crow, and Timothy Chooi. 

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  Featuring OrKidstra

  

  Featuring OrKidstra

  OrKidstra is an Ottawa-based social development program, which gives children from under-served areas the opportunity to learn life skills – such as teamwork, commitment and responsibility – through the joys and challenges of singing and playing music together.

  OrKidstra’s mission is to empower kids and build community through music. OrKidstra accomplishes this mission by providing children from under-privileged communities with free instruments and lessons, giving them the chance to reach for success through music.

  The program began in 2007 with 27 children and the passionate belief in the transformative power of music. It has since grown to include over 700 children, ages 5-18, from 42 cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and has become a world-class example of why music is called the universal language.

  In high-demand for their energy and musicianship, OrKidstra has performed on the JUNO awards broadcast, on Parliament Hill as part of the Canada Day 150 Celebrations and many more. The charity is grateful to have the support of two OrKidstra Ambassadors: acclaimed pianist Angela Hewitt, C.C., O.B.E, and Alexander Shelley, Music Director NAC Orchestra.

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