TOUR #1

Winston Choi, piano

Laureate of the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition and winner of France’s 2002 Concours International de Piano 20e siècle d’Orléans, Canadian pianist Winston Choi is an inquisitive performer whose fresh approach to standard repertory, and masterful understanding, performance and commitment to works by living composers, make him one of today’s most dynamic young concert artists.

Choi maintains an active performing schedule. In demand as a concerto soloist, Choi has appeared with orchestras such as l’Orchestre National de Lille, l’Orchestre Symphonique d’Orléans, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the CBC Radio Orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra, La Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia, the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, and the Kalistos Chamber Orchestra.


In recent seasons, he has appeared in recital at the National Arts Centre of Canada, the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Carnegie-Weill and Merkin Recital Halls, the Kennedy Center, the Kravis Center, and the “Cicle Grans Solistes” in Spain. In France, Choi has performed extensively and performed in venues such as the Salle Cortot, in Lille’s Festival Rencontre Robert Casadesus, the Messiaen Festival, and IRCAM’s prestigious Agora Festival. In 2006, he was on tour in eastern Ontario and Quebec, under the auspices of Jeunesses Musicales. An accomplished chamber musician, Choi regularly performs with his wife, Minghuan Xu as Duo Diorama. Upcoming performances include tours of British Columbia (as Duo Diorama), a 10-city tour of the Prairie provinces (through Prairie Debut) and appearances with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and l’Orchestre Radio France.

Choi is dedicated to the premiering and commissioning of works by new young composers as well as established masters. He has collaborated with composers including William Bolcom, Elliott Carter, Brian Ferneyhough, George Bright Sheng, Christian Wolff, and John Zorn. Already a prolific recording artist, Choi’s debut CD, the complete piano works of Elliott Carter (l’Empreinte Digitale in France) was given 5 stars by BBC Music Magazine. He has also recorded 2 CDs of the piano music of Jacques Lenot for the Intrada label, having won the Grand Prix du Disque from l’Académie Charles Cros for Volume I. He can also be heard on the Arktos, Crystal Records, QuadroFrame.

Choi obtained both his Bachelor and Master Degrees at Indiana University, studying with Menahem Pressler. He is currently a doctoral student at Northwestern University, studying with Ursula Oppens. In 2006, Choi was Visiting Assistant Professor of Piano at Oberlin Conservatory. This September, he began his faculty appointment at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

"His playing was simply stunning: brawny, virile, and exciting, featuring razor sharp finger work and careful attention to overall pacing. In short, he's a major young talent with star potential." New Music Connoisseur

"...sheer élan and pianistic devilment..." BBC Magazine (5 stars)

www.mgam.com
www.winstonchoi.com

Winston Choi is represented by Marilyn Gilbert Artist Management, Toronto ON

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Tour Concert Performance Schedule

Saturday, October 27/07 Edson, AB
Presented by Chautaqua Edson Arts Council in Red Brick Cultural Centre

Monday, October 29/07 Prince Albert, SK
Presented by Prince Albert Arts Board in E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts

Tuesday, October 30/07 Yorkton, SK
Presented by Yorkton Arts Council in Anne Portnuff Theatre in Yorkton Regional High school

Thursday, November 1/07 Swift Current, SK
Presented by Swift Current Allied Arts Council in Swift Current Comprehensive High school

Friday, November 2/07 Pincher Creek, AB
Presented by Pincher Creek & District Cultural Affairs in Foothills Community Church

Saturday, November 3/07 Bragg Creek, AB
Presented by Bragg Creek Performing Arts in Bragg Creek Centre

Sunday, November 4/07 Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Presented by City of Fort Saskatchewan in Shell Theatre, Dow Centennial Centre

Tuesday, November 6/07 Moose Jaw, SK
Presented by Moose Jaw Cultural Centre in Moose Jaw Cultural Centre

Thursday, November 8/07 Minnedosa, MB
Presented by Minnedosa Performing Arts Committee in Minnedosa Community Centre

Saturday, November 10/07 Winnipeg, MB
Presented by Virtuosi Concerts in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, U of Winnipeg

Monday, November 12/07 Snow Lake, MB
Presented by Ravna House

Masterclasses and school shows are also scheduled in many of these communities. Please contact Prairie Debut or the concert presenter for details.

Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.

Download Winston Choi Programme [PDF]

 

TOUR #2

Sophie Bouffard, soprano with David L. McIntyre, piano

Whether in recital or opera, soprano Sophie Bouffard is recognized for her great expressivity, her rich and vibrant voice, and her ability to captivate audiences. Sophie’s performances throughout Europe include festival appearances in Eastern Europe, a solo recital tour in Portugal and opera roles with the Belgium National Opera House La Monnaie. In Canada, Ms. Bouffard has performed with Opera Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Opera, Regina Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivières, the Ensemble Nouvelle-France, and the Nouvel Ensemble à Cordes de Québec (NEC) to name a few.

Sophie Bouffard and David L. McIntyre will tour with Prairie Debut in January/February 2008.

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Pianist David L. McIntyre is well known throughout North America as a composer and collaborator with singers and instrumentalists. He is heard frequently on the CBC as pianist and composer. His close association with Opera Saskatchewan has allowed him to work with many fine singers from across North America and beyond. David is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre and during his time as composer-in-residence with the Regina Symphony Orchestra he wrote a number of exciting orchestral works. David resides in Regina where he is active as a professor, pianist, organist, and conductor.

Sophie Bouffard and David L. McIntyre will tour with Prairie Debut in January/February 2008.

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Tour Concert Performance Schedule

Friday, November 23/07 Rosthern, SK
Presented by Station Arts Centre at the Station Arts Centre

Saturday, January 5/08 Winnipeg, MB
Presented by Virtuosi Concerts in Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, U of Winnipeg

Monday, January 7/08 Snow Lake, MB
Presented by Ravna Concerts

Tuesday, January 8/08 Thompson, MB
Presented by City of Thompson in Letkeman Theatre in R.D. Parker Collegiate

Sunday, January 20/08 Ravenscrag, SK
Presented by Spring Valley Guest Ranch in Saville Theatre

Monday, January 21/08 Brooks, AB
Presented by Newell Concert Association in Griffin Park Theatre

Masterclasses and workshop are also scheduled in many of these communities. Please contact Prairie Debut or the local presenters for details.

Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.

Download Programme [PDF - 491k]
Download Press Release [DOC - 41k]
 

TOUR #3

Anne-Julie Caron, marimba with Akiko Tominaga, piano

Canadian percussionist Anne-Julie Caron is recognized by the greatest masters of her field as one of the most remarkable talents of her generation. Mainly recognized as a marimbist, Miss Caron's rapidly blooming career as an orchestral soloist, chamber musician and recitalist is causing her to be sought after both in Canada and abroad. She has brilliantly performed in solo recitals as well as with orchestras such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. Anne-Julie Caron has won the 2nd Prize and a recording contract with Classic Records (Europe) at the International Marimba Competition Linz 2006 and two of the most prestigious Canadian competitions: The Montreal Symphony Orchestra Competition (2005) and the Prix d'Europe (2004). She was also chosen as "Laureate de Quebec" by Le Soleil and Radio-Canada. Ms. Caron’s sensational performances astonish with their deepness, colors and sensitivity.

Ms. Caron is represented by Richard Paul Concert Artists, Toronto.

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Pianist Akiko Tominaga has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Her solo and chamber performances have been broadcast on Radio-Canada and Akiko’s most recent project, the Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach, was recorded by the Université de Montréal. An avid chamber musician, she has taken part in numerous collaborations with instrumentalists and vocalists. Akiko is currently in the Doctorate Degree Program at the Université de Montréal under the guidance of Marc Durand.

Anne-Julie Caron and Akiko Tominaga, piano will tour with Prairie Debut in February/March 2008.

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Tour Concert Performance Schedule

Saturday, February 2/08 Winnipeg, MB
Presented by Virtuosi Concerts in Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, U of Winnipeg

Sunday, February 3/08 Altona, MB
Presented by Southern Manitoba Concerts in Bergthaler Church

Tuesday, February 5/08 Brandon, MB
Presented by Brandon University School of Music Pro Series Plus in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University

Friday, March February 8/08 Snow Lake, MB
Presented by Ravna Concerts

Monday, March 3/08 Hudson Bay, SK
Presented by Hudson Bay Arts Council in Brooks Hall

Tuesday, March 4/08 Yorkton, SK
Presented by Yorkton Arts Council in Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton Regional Highschool

Wednesday, March 5/08 Kipling, SK
Presented by Kipling & District Arts Council in Kipling Community Centre

Friday, March 7/08 Weyburn, SK
Presented by Weyburn Concert Series in Weyburn Comprehensive Highschool

Saturday, March 8/08 Assiniboia, SK
Presented by Assiniboia Arts Council in Prince of Wales Cultural & Rec. Centre

Sunday, March 9/08 Estevan, SK
Presented by Estevan Arts Council in St. Paul’s United Church

Monday, March 10/08 Swift Current, SK
Presented by Swift Current Allied Arts Council in Swift Current Comprehensive Highschool

Wednesday, March 12/08 Lloydminster, SK
Presented by Lloydminster Allied Arts Council in Vic Juba Community Theatre, Lakeland College

Thursday, March 13/08 Luseland, SK
Presented by Luseland Arts Council in the Luseland Homecoming Hall

Friday, March 14/08 Rosthern, SK
Presented by Station Arts Centre at the Station Arts Centre

Saturday, March 15/08 Tisdale, SK
Presented by Tisdale Arts Council in the Tisdale RECplex

Sunday, March 16/08 Melfort, SK
Presented by Melfort Arts Council in North East Leisure Centre

Monday, March 17/08 Watrous, SK
Presented by Watrous Area Arts Council in Watrous Civic Centre

Wednesday, March 19/08 Kindersley, KS
Presented by Kindersley & District Arts Council in St. Paul’s United Church

Masterclasses and school shows are also scheduled in many of these communities. Please contact Prairie Debut or the local presenters for details.

Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.

Download Programme [PDF - 584k]
Download Press Release [DOC - 45k]