Corcoran Concerto Competition

1^st Year, Bachelor of Music (Honours)
Studio of Jonathan Crow
Recipient of The Sondra & Brett Lindros Scholarship

1^st Year, Bachelor of Music (Honours)
Studio of John O’Conor
Recipient of The Henry Hung Foundation Scholarships

2^nd Year, Artist Diploma Program
Studio of Jason Howard
Recipient of The Temerty Foundation Scholarships

4^th Year, Bachelor of Music (Honours)
Studio of Erika Raum
Recipient of The Temerty Foundation Scholarships

Anna Stube, violin
Henry From, piano
Violin Concerto, Op. 15  (1939)
Benjamin Britten (1913 – 1976)
I. Moderato con moto – Agitato – Tempo primo                                              
II. Vivace – Animando – Largamente - Cadenza
III. Passacaglia. Andante Lento (Un poco meno mosso)
 
Jerry Hu, piano
Ben Smith, piano
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11  (1830)                                                 
Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849)
l. Allegro maestoso                                                                                                     
ll. Romanze - Larghetto
lll. Rondo - Vivace

INTERMISSION

Colin Mackey, baritone
Mélisande Sinsoulier, piano
Songs of Travel, IRV 77  (1904)
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 – 1958)                                                                                
I. The Vagabond                                                                                                        
II. Let Beauty Awake
III. The Roadside Fire
IV. Youth and Love
V. In Dreams
VI. The Infinite Shining Heavens
VII. Whither must I wander?
VIII. Bright is the Ring of Words
IX. I have trod the upward and the downward slope
 
Isabella Perron, violin
Ben Smith, piano
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77  (1878)    
Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)                                                      
l. Allegro non troppo                                                                                                   
ll. Adagio
lll. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace

JURY DELIBERATIONS & AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

Violinist and online personality, Ray Chen redefines what it means to be a classical musician in the 21st century. With a global reach that enhances and inspires a new classical audience, Ray Chen's remarkable musicianship transmits to millions around the world, reflected through his engagements both online and with the foremost orchestras and concert halls around the world. 
 
Initially coming to attention via the Yehudi Menuhin (2008) and Queen Elizabeth (2009) Competitions, of which he was First Prize winner, he has built a profile in Europe, Asia, and the USA as well as his native Australia both live and on disc. Profiled as “one to watch” by the Strad and Gramophone magazines, his profile has grown to encompass his featuring in the Forbes list of 30 most influential Asians under 30, appearing in TV series “Mozart in the Jungle”, a multi-year partnership with Giorgio Armani, and performing at major media events such as France’s Bastille Day, the Nobel Prize Concert in Stockholm, and the BBC Proms. 

He has appeared with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, Munich Philharmonic, Filarmonica della Scala, Orchestra Nazionale della Santa Cecilia, Los Angeles Philharmonic, SWR Symphony, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Berlin Radio Symphony, and Bavarian Radio Chamber Orchestra. 
 
Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, Ray was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music at age 15, where he studied with Aaron Rosand and was supported by Young Concert Artists. He plays the 1714 “Dolphin” Stradivarius violin on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation. This instrument was once owned by the famed violinist, Jascha Heifetz. 

Recognized worldwide as an exceptional interpreter of French vocal works and a leading authority on French music, soprano Rosemarie Landry has made a significant contribution to classical music and Canadian culture. She has performed internationally in recital, concert and opera, both live and on radio and television, and appeared with leading orchestras and at chamber music festivals. A respected professor at the Université de Montréal, she also regularly gives masterclasses at renowned schools and universities around the world. Ms Landry studied in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec-city and Paris.

A noted recitalist, she toured extensively with renowned pianist Dalton Baldwin and has made numerous recordings in Canada, France and Japan. One of the last students of eminent French baritone and teacher Pierre Bernac, a friend and colleague of Francis Poulenc, Ms. Landry strives to pass on the knowledge she has acquired to future generations.

Alongside her career as a performer and teacher, Ms. Landry has supported numerous cultural institutions as an administrator, board member, artistic director and advisory committee member.

Rosemarie Landry is a Member of the Order of Canada, a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France), and a Knight of the Ordre de la Pléiade (Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie). Her many awards and distinctions include Opera Canada’s Ruby Award, le Prix Montfort, le Prix Léger-Comeau (Société nationale des Acadiens), the New Brunswick Arts Council Award of Excellence, honorary doctorates from Canadian universities and the Governor General’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award (Classical Music). 
 

Larry Larson held the position of Principal Trumpet of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony for 30 years (1993-2023), and continues to enjoy a very active playing career post-“retirement” from that position. He has also proudly served as the Trumpet and Brass Coach for NYOCanada since 2007.  

Larry enjoys a varied career which includes leading his own jazz quintet “Larry’s Jazz Guys,” performing and recording with harpist Lori Gemmell (“Divertissement” CD release), as well as other chamber music opportunities. With the KWS, Larry gave the world premieres of trumpet concertos by John Estacio and Scott Good, as well as many other solo performances, including concertos by Malcolm Forsyth, Johnny Cowell, and Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No 2.”  

Under the “MEN WITH HORNS” banner, Larry produced and presented 10 acclaimed Pops programs for the KWS with trombonist/arranger David Martin. He is a member of Andrew Burashko’s “Art Of Time Ensemble,” with whom he has toured across North America, as well as being featured on two of their CD releases. Larry has also recorded two CDs with the Canadian Brass, and has performed in supporting orchestras for Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Brian Wilson, Jann Arden, Roger Hodgson, among others.  

He is honoured to be a founding member of the Canadian National Brass Project, featuring principal brass players from across the country, a collaboration which also released two CD projects. 

“His performance brought a veritable roar of approval from the audience,” wrote the Irish Times, after Pavel Nersessian received the 1st Prize in the Dublin International Piano Competition in 1991. One of the most remarkable pianists of his generation in Russia, he is known for his convincing interpretations of the whole palette of the piano repertoire. He won prizes in the Beethoven Competition, the Paloma O’Shea Competition, and the Tokyo Competition. 
  
Nersessian was a pupil of the Central Music School of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatoire, studying under Yu Levin and later Prof. S. Dorensky. Upon graduating with maximum marks in 1987, he was invited to join the faculty. 
 
Pavel Nersessian began touring Russia at age eight, and has since given performances and masterclasses all around the globe.  
 
Mr. Nersessian, by special invitation from the Kirov and the Perm Ballet, performed a solo part in Balanchine’s Ballet Imperial based on Tchaikovsky’s 2nd Piano Concerto, and in J. Robbins’ ballet “The concert, or The Perils of Everybody” on the music of Chopin. 
 
He is known for collaborations with musicians such as the Borodin and Glinka Quartets, and the National Symphony Orchestra in Russia. He has recorded numerous discs.  
 
In 2005 he became a merited artist of the Russian Federation. 
 
Pavel Nersessian served as a juror in many international piano competitions: Dublin, Hamamatsu, Sendai, Maria Canals in Barcelona, Hilton Head, Almaty, Valencia, and Tbilisi. 
 
In 2013 he became a professor of piano at Boston University, and in 2022 at the New England Conservatory.
 

Canadian mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber has been active for over 35 years on international operatic and concert stages (Paris, Chicago, New York City, London, Rome, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Montreal, Seattle and Toronto are among her stomping grounds) in a diverse and eclectic repertoire. She created the role of fortune-teller Asa in the world premiere of OKSANA G for Toronto’s Tapestry Opera, garnering rave reviews and a Dora Award nomination (Best Ensemble 2017). She joined forces with TorQ Percussion Quartet, Anishinaabe storyteller Rene Meshake and harpist Angela Schwarzkopf for the 2017 world premiere of her commissioned work, THIS LAND (Abigail Richardson-Schulte), for NUMUS in Waterloo, Ontario. Her performances as Madeleine Mitchell in the Canadian premiere of Jake Heggie’s THREE DECEMBERS in 2022 marked both her Winnipeg and Little Opera debuts.  

An artist who defies categorization, Kimberly Barber is recognized for the verisimilitude, intensity and depth of her interpretations of Strauss’s Composer, Handel’s Xerxes (Dora Award nominated as Best Singing Actress), and Mrs. De Rocher in Heggie’s DEAD MAN WALKING (winning Montreal’s prestigious Award OPUS in 2013).  She has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, Naxos, CBC Records, Teldec and Dutton Classics.  

Professor of Voice at Wilfrid Laurier University since 2002, she is Administrative Coordinator for Opera Laurier, and was appointed Associate Dean of the Faculty of Music in July 2017. She teaches and adjudicates across Canada, the US and in Europe at universities, conservatories and Young Artist Programs, and is frequently called upon to serve on advisory panels for the arts.  

An artist defined by the critics as "…tender, lyrical, loaded with personality" (Atlanta Journal Constitution), violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez is also recognized for drawing "...the sweetest, most sonorous tone..." (Washington Post). In September 2009, Juan-Miguel won the first Prize at the 16th International Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria, adding to other top prizes won at the National Canadian Music Competition, and the 9th National Sphinx Competition in 2006. In 2010, he was recognized with the medal of honour from the National Assembly of Quebec for his significant International accomplishments.

A dedicated chamber musician, Juan-Miguel was a member of the legendary Fine Arts Quartet (2013-2018) and original member of the Harlem Quartet (2006-2012), as well as a founder of the "Boreal Trio” (2012-2018) and "Trio Virado" (2013-2019), both specialized in the creation of new repertoire. His musicianship has led to a wide array of collaborations with artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Kim Kashkashian and Gerard Caussé as well as Chick Corea, Gary Burton and Stanley Clark.

Born in Montreal (Canada) in 1985, Juan-Miguel began studying the violin at age seven, then switched to viola at age twelve and graduated from the Colburn Conservatory and New England Conservatory. Education being a prominent part of his career, Juan-Miguel joined the faculty of the Royal Academy of Music in London as Professor of Viola from 2016 to 2020, where he now remains as visiting Professor since his move back to his native Montreal.

He plays on a beautiful 2008 Miralles viola from Altadena CA.

Tara Helen O’Connor is a charismatic performer noted for her artistic depth, brilliant technique and colorful tone spanning every musical era.  Recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant, a two-time Grammy nominee and the first wind player chosen to participate in the Bowers Program, she is now a Season Artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.  A Wm. S. Haynes flute artist, Tara is a regular participant at music festivals, including Santa Fe Chamber Music, Music@Menlo, Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass, Spoleto USA, Chamber Music Northwest, Mainly Mozart, Bravo Vail Valley! and Chesapeake Music. Along with her husband Daniel Phillips, she is the Co-Artistic Director of the Music from Angel Fire Festival in New Mexico.  

Tara is a member of the woodwind quintet Windscape, the legendary Bach Aria Group, and is a founding member of the Naumburg Award-winning New Millennium Ensemble.  She has premiered hundreds of new works and has collaborated with the Orion String Quartet, St Lawrence Quartet and Emerson Quartet.  She has appeared on A&E's programs and has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, Koch International, and CMS Studio Recordings.   

Tara has just been appointed to the faculty of the Yale School of Music. She is also on faculty at Purchase College Conservatory of Music, Bard College, and the Contemporary Performance Program at Manhattan School of Music. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, violinist Daniel Phillips, and their two miniature dachshunds, Chloe and Ava. 

Jean Saulnier leads an active career as a recitalist, chamber musician, and teacher. Over the years, he has developed broad experience in both the solo and the chamber music repertoire. He is a sought-after collaborator by the best musicians from Canada and abroad, which speaks eloquently to the flexibility, natural playing ability, and spirit of partnership he brings to every performance. 

Saulnier has performed in Canada, United States, South America, and Europe. He has been guest soloist with orchestras such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Métropolitain, Rochester Philharmonic, and I Musici de Montréal. He has been heard extensively in major Canadian music festivals and on CBC radio.

Performing with his long-time partners, cellist Yegor Dyachkov and clarinetist André Moisan, Saulnier has recorded many major works from the chamber music repertoire on Pelléas, Atma, Analekta, and Doberman-Yppan labels. Dyachkov and Saulnier have recently released on Atma Beethoven’s complete works for cello and piano. 

In 2002, Jean Saulnier unexpectedly discovered a rare 1848 Pleyel piano, leading him to engage in extensive research on the interpretation of Chopin’s works. His recording of a Chopin recital on this piano has been praised for its refinement and originality. 

Saulnier studied with Marc Durand, Leon Fleisher and André Laplante. His doctorate from the Université de Montréal was saluted with the General Governor Academic Gold Medal. He is currently Full Professor in the Music Faculty of the Université de Montréal, where he has been teaching for over thirty years.