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Buffy Sainte-Marie speaks about Canada 150
June 13, 2017On July 3, 2017 Buffy Sainte-Marie will perform with special guests at the NAC Canada Scene Festival. Buffy took a few moments to speak about the 150 Celebrations. "For me the 150th... the best thing that can possibly happen is a better connection. I mean there is so much to be proud of…
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NAC Orchestra musician Charles Hamann records 15 Canadian works for oboe and piano
June 7, 2017Charles Hamann has wanted to make a solo recording for a very long time. As principal oboe for the National Arts Centre Orchestra Charles (or Chip as many in the music world know him) has worked with many of the country’s most respected composers and it was composer John Burge’s Sonata…
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NAC Orchestra in Eskasoni: An unforgettable musical experience
May 10, 2017As the NAC Orchestra tour buses travelled along the beautiful tree lined edge of Bras d’Or Lake we knew we had arrived to a very special place. The community of Eskasoni is the ancestral home of Mi’kmaw poet Rita Joe. Her poem I Lost My Talk was the inspiration for NAC Award composer John…
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Panel Discussion on Creation and Collaboration through ENCOUNT3RS
May 5, 2017In this bilingual panel discussion on Creation and Collaboration that preceded the world premiere of ENCOUNT3RS (April 20-22, 2017), animator Catherine Clark speaks with the six Canadian artists involved in this historic NAC dance-music commission celebrating Canada 150. Following a…
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Follow the NAC Orchestra on Tour!
April 28, 2017As our National Arts Centre Orchestra sets off on the first leg of its cross-Canada performance and education tour, a group of dedicated supporters from across the country is cheering them on from the sidelines. Tour Patrons Gail and David O’Brien, who split their time between Toronto and…
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Interview with choreographer Bill Coleman
April 6, 2017“When Accidents Happen, You’re Very Attentive” – Bill Coleman navigates through difficulty in Dollhouse, a dance production presented at the NAC’s Canada Scene Festival in partnership with the Canada Dance Festival on July 15. The NAC’s Canada Scene has a specific focus on contemporary…
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ENCOUNT3RS: Three world premieres in one performance
March 24, 2017Creation is at the core of the National Arts Centre. “One of the key things we’re trying to celebrate all the time is our Canadian artists,” says Cathy Levy, Executive Producer of NAC Dance. ENCOUNT3RS is a landmark NAC Commission that pairs three of Canada’s outstanding choreographic…
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Bringing Beethoven to Life
February 23, 2017As a special thank you to its generous supporters, the National Arts Centre Foundation invited donors to take a glimpse into the inner workings of the NAC Orchestra, by attending an open rehearsal of Beethoven’s Triumph; a program consisting of the works of Beethoven conducted by Christian…
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The tale of the 386 year-old double bass
December 2, 2016The opportunity to attend open rehearsals is one of the many ways the National Arts Centre Foundation thanks its generous and committed donors. Typically the rehearsals involve a unique chance for performing arts lovers to learn about the creation and performance process, but on November…
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Classical Collisions
October 22, 2016In celebration of Beethoven and Schumann – two highly expressive and innovative composers, the NAC Orchestra created an eclectic evening of music, dance and art called Classical Collisions. Fine art inspired graffiti artists while classical music mixed with DJ scratching - and everybody…
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NAC Unveils $25 Million Fundraising Campaign & $5 Million Gift by Gail Asper
September 28, 2016The National Arts Centre (NAC) today launched a transformative $25 million fundraising campaign to support the creation of new works of Music, Theatre and Dance in collaboration with artists and arts organizations across the country. The campaign is the first-ever in the history of the 47…
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Kugluktuk students share message of hope and support through music
August 22, 2016Gordon Kaniak, a high school student in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, wrote this powerful song, "Suicide's Not the Answer," which he performed and recorded with fellow students. Gordon's work on this song was supported by Music Alive Program teaching artists Greg Brown, Andrew Morrison, Rita Claire…
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Celestial sounds: the life of a harpist
July 23, 2016“People often associate the harp with heaven and angels,” says Manon Le Comte, a harpist who has been performing works like The Nutcracker, among many others, with the NAC Orchestra for over 35 years. “But there’s a very concrete aspect to it all: the pedals, the 2,000 metal parts, and one…
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NAC Music Circle Workshop at Woodroffe High School
July 20, 2016The NAC’s Music Circle Workshops for children, high school students and adults with special needs are run in partnership with the Lotus Centre for Special Music Education and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and take place in schools and community organizations. NAC Orchestra…
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A special reception in celebration of the Young Artist Program
June 22, 2016On the evening of June 6th, His Excellency Bruce Heyman, U.S. Ambassador to Canada and wife Vicki Heyman, hosted a special reception in celebration of the 18th edition of the National Arts Centre’s Young Artists Program (YAP). Since its inception in 1999 the Young Artists Program (YAP) has…