When Jan Lisiecki was only ten years old, he stepped onto the stage to perform with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. “The NAC musicians were extremely kind, though perhaps slightly skeptical. That’s only natural when you’re ten and playing with such an acclaimed orchestra. But they were…
The National Arts Centre (NAC) is Canada’s only bilingual multidisciplinary performing arts centre. That’s right—the one and only! From the day it opened in 1969, the Centre’s mission has been to showcase the very best of the performing arts in Canada in both English and French. “From the…
When Jan Lisiecki first performed at the NAC, he was only 10. But there are things about that day he still remembers: the maze-like backstage, how the conductor expressed surprise at his hair, and the helpful, friendly nature of the NAC Orchestra. “They were so kind and professional,”…
In October 2013, the National Arts Centre lost a generous donor and champion of the performing arts. A proud Albertan, F.R. (Dick) Matthews was an avid supporter of the arts – his generosity was exceeded only by his modesty. He was invaluable to the formation of the Calgary Philharmonic…
Every summer, more than 70 young people from across Canada and around the globe make their way to the National Arts Centre because of their remarkable talent, their countless hours of incredibly hard work, and their steadfast dream of making music. Welcome to the NAC’s Summer Music…
The following is a conversation with Marg Campbell, a long-time NAC Foundation donor and dedicated supporter of the National Arts Centre’s Summer Music Institute (SMI). The Summer Music Institute offers the opportunity of a lifetime to promising young musicians from across Canada and around…
There’s a large room in the National Arts Centre where artists practice. It’s called Rehearsal Hall “B”, and in the last few days when I’ve walked down the hallway, magic keeps pouring out of the room. The lighting can be a bit dim inside, but when I peeked in today I could see 16 year old…
As featured soloist, Albertan Jan Lisiecki is a 16-year-old piano phenomenon. Also an alumnus of the NAC’s Summer Music Institute, Jan had his orchestral debut at the age of nine, and has since performed as a soloist more than 100 times with orchestras in Canada and internationally,…