National Arts Centre - Centre national des Arts Canada is our stage. Le Canada en scène.

Faculty - NAC Orchestra Mentorship

for emerging and early-career artists

NAC Orchestra Mentorship
World-class faculty

The faculty of the NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program are excited to share their knowledge, experience, and expertise with the brilliant participants who will be invited to Canada’s National Arts Centre to propel their professional careers.

Resident faculty

Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra is one of the most accessible, inclusive, and collaborative orchestras in the world. Recognized for its daring programming, powerful storytelling, inspiring artistry, and innovative partnerships, the NAC Orchestra is at the vanguard of orchestral performance. In an age of continuous disruption, we place audiences at the centre, empower young artists to become leaders, and help redefine the orchestra’s role in society.

Meet the musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra

Side-by-side learning

Instrumental and library participants will be paired with and mentored by a member of the NAC Orchestra. They will work with their mentors in all sectionals, rehearsals, and concerts throughout the three-week program.

Conducting participants will be mentored by NAC Music Director Alexander Shelley.

The orchestra personnel management participant will be mentored by the NAC Orchestra Personnel Management team.

Language

As the NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program takes place in Ottawa, the capital of Canada which is a bilingual country, both official languages, French and English, are spoken throughout the three weeks.

Musicians of the NAC Orchestra © Rémi Thériault

2024 Invited Guests

“If you are an early career professional or an aspiring orchestral musician then I believe this program offers a truly unique opportunity.

You will collaborate with, learn from and perform alongside some of the finest orchestral musicians in Canada and the world in an open, friendly and intense atmosphere in which we will explore and refine the full range of skills required in this demanding and enriching industry.

From our side-by-side rehearsals of key excerpts from the repertory in week one to seminars, masterclasses, mock auditions and panel discussions, we will seek to build and consolidate knowledge with full one-on-one mentorship.

In our main series concerts in weeks two and three you will perform symphonic masterpieces and concertos alongside leading soloists of our time. You will experience the rehearsal rhythm and performance level of a top orchestra from within and with full support from us all.

The last two years have been deeply memorable and successful experiences and we hope you will join us for the latest instalment. See you in Ottawa!”

— Alexander Shelley, Music Director of the NAC Orchestra

NAC Orchestra Creative Partners

In 2021-2022, Music Director Alexander Shelley welcomed a new group of Creative Partners to the NAC Orchestra’s artistic leadership. This group represents the breadth and diversity of the Orchestra’s work and includes some of the most interesting artists of our time.

These Creative Partners bring different points of view and new perspectives, putting their artistic excellence at the service of the Orchestra’s members, aspiring musicians, and audiences. They also participate in important conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. The NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program benefits from these artists’ knowledge and wide range of experiences.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

The National Arts Centre Foundation would like to thank the RBC Foundation, Presenting Partner of the NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program. Thank you also to lead donor Dasha Shenkman, OBE, Hon RCM, and The Azrieli Foundation, The Vered Family, Adrian Burns Fund for Women Leaders in the Performing Arts, and the Council for Canadian American Relations Young Artist Scholarship for their generous support.

Presenting Partners

Major Partner

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