My Account-
Music Alive Program teaching artists come together to share, learn, and collaborate
November 9, 2016The NAC’s Music Alive Program, which brings local and visiting artists to mostly rural and remote schools and communities, was developed in partnership with local arts organizations and in consultation with school boards. It began in Alberta and Saskatchewan in 2008, then expanded to…
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The Young Artists Program: the next generation of orchestral musicians
January 3, 2016Founded by Pinchas Zukerman in 1999, the National Arts Centre's Young Artists Program is an intensive training program for outstanding classical musicians. Alumni include NAC Orchestra musicians Jethro Marks (principal viola), Donnie Deacon (principal second violin), Jessica Linnebach…
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Welcoming a new maestro to the podium: Alexander Shelley begins his tenure
October 13, 2015It’s like visiting an old friend. That’s how Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra’s new Music Director, describes the joy we feel when we listen to live classical music. “There’s nothing that compares with revisiting pieces you know and love, and the enjoyment of having them performed…
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A violin’s personality: Timothy Chooi and his 1729 Guarneri del Gesù
January 19, 2015When musicians perform they become one with their instrument. For violinists, the bow is an extension of their arm, and the sound communicates their emotions and interpretation of the score. While training at the National Arts Centre's Summer Music Institute, Timothy Chooi (age 20) took…
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Pinchas Zukerman masterclass at the Royal College of Music
October 28, 2014The Britten Theatre at London's Royal College of Music was packed with students, teachers and music fans eager to learn from maestro Pinchas Zukerman'smasterclass. Three young violinists had been selected to perform; Chieri Tomi from the Royal Academy of Music and Soh Yon Kim and Emily Sun…
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Pinchas, Itzhak & friends: Classical Greats share NAC Gala stage with rising...
September 26, 2014Violinist Jessica Linnebach met Pinchas Zukerman in 1999, at the first ever National Arts Centre Summer Music Institute (SMI), the young artist training program Zukerman founded after becoming the NAC Orchestra’s Music Director. She was 15. Despite her young age, Linnebach was already a…
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Jessica Linnebach’s journey of friendship with Pinchas Zukerman
September 24, 2014Violinist Jessica Linnebach joined the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 2003 and became Associate Concertmaster in 2010. She has distinguished herself among the next generation of Canadian classical artists being lauded on concert stages nationally and around the world. In this interview…
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Unforgettable video: Jessica Linnebach onstage at the NAC as a 7 year old
September 12, 2014Just check out the steely focus of Jessica Linnebach in this video of her 7 year-old self! In this archival video, Jessica Linnebach performs onstage at the National Arts Centre and wins the 1990 Canadian Music Competition Grand Prize, at the age of 7. “I remember how excited I was to…
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The Summer Music Institute: A World of Talent
June 23, 2014On the evening of June 16th, His Excellency Bruce Heyman, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, and his wife Vicki Heyman, hosted a special reception in celebration of the 16th edition of the National Arts Centre’s Summer Music Institute (SMI). The event took place on the grounds of the U.S.…
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How the Summer Music Institute helped set the stage for Jan Lisiecki
June 17, 2014When 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,”…
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Happy birthday, NAC: Canada’s home for the performing arts turns 45
May 27, 2014On June 2, 1969, the National Arts Centre opened its doors for the first time, and history was made. "Not since Expo 67’s shimmering debut has an opening night stirred such an exhilarating sense of grand occasion.” – Time “After a weekend of splendid weather, the opening night was…
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To dream and compete: the NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition finals
May 26, 2014“Relax. Nobody is out to get you. The jurors want you to do your best.” – from “Helpful Hints,” NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition application materials An aspiring classical musician believes in her dream. But she also has to compete. Competitions can help fund an education, and bring…
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The Summer Music Institute: Shaping the artists of tomorrow
May 21, 2014Every 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…
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Extraordinary positivity: The Canadian Improv Games national finals
April 8, 2014The National Arts Centre has been a proud partner of the Canadian Improv Games for 26 years. Polly Leger, a Canadian Improv Games alumnus living in Halifax, contributed this story. She works in radio by day and performs improv by night. “The Canadian Improv Games can be difficult to…
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Learning from the world’s best dancers
April 4, 2014Kyla Agtarap is a local dancer who often attends NAC Dance masterclasses. From modern to classical these masterclasses give young dancers the opportunity to receive instruction from the world's best dancers. The students are challenged to push beyond their boundaries and explore new aspects…