2025 Honens International Piano Competition Program Book

THANKS

Honensapplaudsthecorporate,media,andartspartners, foundations,publicfunders,andsupplierswhomakethe 2025HonensInternationalPianoCompetitionpossible.

SupportingPartners

JAMESM. STANFORD

OKI DANIT’ADA ÂBAWATHTECH TANSI

TAANISHI BIENVENUE

WELCOME

AtHonens,werecognizethatweareguestsonthetraditionalterritories oftheBlackfootConfederacyincludingtheSiksika,Piikani,andKainai Nations;theTsuut’inaNation;andtheÎethka Stoney Nakoda Nations consistingoftheChiniki,Bearspaw,andGoodstoneyNations.Thisland isalsohometotheMétisNationofAlberta(Districts5and6)andallwho livewithinTreaty7.

WearesituatedwithinwhatisnowcalledCalgary,attheconfluenceofthe BowandElbowrivers—themeetingplacetraditionallyknownasMoh’kins’tsis (Blackfoot),Wîchîspa(StoneyNakoda),andGuts’ists’i(Tsuut’ina).

Inmanycultures,andformanygenerations,musichashelpedpeople overcomeobstacles,findmeaning,andprocesswhatwordsalonecannot. Justasmusicisvaluedasasourceofhealing,connection,andrenewal, sotooisthelandonwhichwelive,love,andplay.Weacknowledgethat weareallTreatypeopleandshareintheresponsibilitytocarefortheland andforoneanother.

Today,aswemakemusicandcelebrateworksofthepastandpresent, wehonourandaregratefultoallthosewhocamebeforeusandwho continuetostewardtheland.Itisourhopethattogether—throughmusic, reconciliation,andrenewedcommunity—wecanshareinthejoyofthe pianoandallitcaninspireinthisbeautifulplace.

MESSAGEFROMTHE PRIMEMINISTEROFCANADA

Iwouldliketoconveymywarmestgreetingstoeveryoneattendingthe 2025HonensInternationalPianoCompetition.

Thiseventoffersyoungpianistsanopportunitytoperforminfrontof adistinguishedgroupofjudges.I wouldliketocongratulateeveryone participatinginthisyear’sCompetitionandwishthemthebestofluck. Agreatdealofhardworkanddedicationhasledyoutothismomentand youcanbeproudofyouraccomplishments.

Iwouldalsoliketothanktheorganizersforbringingthiseventtothe communityandfortheircommitmenttosupportingyoungmusicians. Iwishyouallawonderfulevent.

Sincerely,

TheRightHonourableMarkCarney PCOCMP PrimeMinisterofCanada

MESSAGEFROMTHE PREMIEROFALBERTA

OnbehalfoftheGovernmentofAlberta,itismypleasuretosendgreetings forthe2025HonensInternationalPianoCompetition.

Itisanhonourtoconveymycongratulationstothisyear’sparticipating pianists.ThisCompetitionisanincrediblecelebrationofyourartistry— innovation,technicalskill,andpassion—andoftheimpactoftheartson ourcommunities.Thankyouallforsharingyourtalentsandunique perspectivesthroughouttheCompetition,andverybestwishestothe threeLaureatesasyouparticipateintheArtistDevelopmentProgram.

IappreciateHonens’contributionstoAlberta’sthrivingartscommunity,and topublicappreciationofpianomusic.Thank you to leadershipandstaff foryoureffortstohonourEstherHonens’visionforaninternationalpiano competition,encouragingyoungartists,andfosteringexcellence inpianoperformance.

HonourableDanielleSmith PremierofAlberta

MESSAGEFROMTHE MAYOROFCALGARY

OnbehalfofTheCityofCalgary,itismygreatpleasuretowelcomeyouto the2025HonensInternationalPianoCompetition.

WhatbeganasthevisionofEstherHonens,aremarkableCalgarianwith adeeploveformusicandcommunity,hasbecomeoneoftheworld’s mostrespectedpianocompetitions.Today,Honensstandsforexcellence inperformance,artisticintegrity,creativity,andtheabilitytoconnectwith audiencesinmeaningfulways.

Calgaryisproudtobethehomeofaneventthatbringssomeoftheworld’s mosttalentedpianiststoourcityandsharestheirperformanceswithpeople aroundtheglobe.TheHonensCompetitionshowswhatcanhappenwhen boldideas,communitysupport,andasharedpassionfortheartscome together.Itremindsusthatartsandculturalleadershipcanbeginlocally andgrowtoreachfarbeyondourcity.

Tothecompetitors,welcometoCalgary.Yourtalentanddedicationare inspiring.Totheorganizers,volunteers,andsupporters,thankyouforyour hardworkandcommitmenttothisexceptionalevent.

TheCityofCalgaryisproudtosupportHonensthroughCalgaryArts DevelopmentandourArts&CultureMicrogrants.Thisimportantwork strengthensourcityandreflectsCalgary’sidentityasaplacethatvalues creativity,culture,andconnection.

Welookforwardtoeverythingthisyear’sCompetitionandFestivalwill bring!

Sincerely,

JyotiGondek MayorofCalgary

MESSAGEFROMTHE ARTISTICDIRECTOR

Ihavebeenwaitingthreeyearsforthismomenttoreturn:ourthrilling searchforthenextCompleteArtist!

Duringthosethreeyears,wehavesupportedour2022HonensPrize LaureateIlliaOvcharenkoinmultipleways,andwatchedhimthriveand grow,sharinghisartistryworldwide.Wehavebroughtmusictothe cityofCalgarythroughHonensFestivals,innovativeconcerts,and expandedcommunityprogramssuchasKeysforNewcomers, TheHonensLab,anadaptiveconcertseries,and Oscar,which premieresduringthisyear’sCompetition.

It is a very special responsibility during this period to plan for the 2025 Competition.Iamdelightedtohaveinvitedtothedistinguishedmembers ofourjuries,aswellasamentor,composer,conductor,cellist,string quartet,andtheesteemedCalgaryPhilharmonicOrchestra.

AllofthesemovingpartsarepossiblebecauseofYOU.Youhave demonstrated time and againthatCalgaryisacityofpeoplewho supportourartisticendeavoursandwhoappreciateourquestfor excellenceinallwedo.

Throughtheextraordinarymediumofthemodernpiano, musicexpresses andreflectsouremotionsfromprofoundgrieftounbridledjoy.Myinitial conversationwithEstherHonensontheeveoftheinauguralHonens InternationalPianoCompetitionin1992mademerealizeherpassion forthepianoanditspotentialtochangelives,madeeverythingwedo exceptionallyvaluable.

IamgratefultoourHonensTeam,toourpassionateBoardofDirectors,all ofourvolunteers,andtoallofyouforsustainingEstherHonens’giftand passionsobeautifully.Maywecontinuetohonourhervision,andcontinue tosupportthepowerofpianomusictohelpshapeandreflecttheworld aroundus.

JonKimuraParker OC ArtisticDirector

MESSAGEFROMTHE PRESIDENT&CEO

It’s atruehonourformetowelcomeyoutothe2025HonensInternational PianoCompetition.

Aroundtheworld,youngpianistslooktocompetitionslikeHonensnotjust forrecognition,butasspringboardsformeaningful,sustainablecareers. Inthisespeciallybusyyear,withseveralmajorcompetitionstakingplace globally,it’saprivilegesomanyextraordinaryartistschoseHonens.

We’redeeplyproudHonensis seen as one of theworld’smostcompelling andsought-afterpianocompetitionsbecauseofthecalibreofartistryit attractsandthevaluesatitsheart.Thisisembodiedinthephilosophy oftheCompleteArtistandtheenvironmentwe’venurtured:oneinviting authenticity,fosteringmeaningfulrelationships,andchampioningboth excellenceandgrowth.

EstherHonensdreamedCalgarycouldhostaninternationaleventthat wouldchangelivesthroughmusic,andshewasright.Herlegacyliveson andhervisioncontinuestoshapeeverythingwedotoday.

Noneofthiswouldbepossiblewithouttheincredibleindividualswhohelp bringtheCompetitiontolife.Toourdedicatedvolunteersandpatrons;to ourpartners,sponsors,andgrantingagencies;totheBoardofDirectors andhard-workingHonensTeam,thankyou.Youmakethisallpossible.

Andtotheartistswhohavetravelledfromaroundtheworldtosharetheir artistrywithus:thisweekbelongstoyou.Ihopeyoufeelthewarmthof thiscityandtheexcitementinthiscommunityasweembarkonthenext chaptertogether.

Forthenext10days,let’senjoyextraordinaryperformances,celebratethe brillianceanddedicationoftheseartists,andhonourthespiritofEsther Honens’gifttoCalgaryandtotheworld.

Letthemusicbegin!

AmandaSmith President&CEO

MESSAGEFROM THE 2022HONENSPRIZELAUREATE

Wow,canyoubelieveit? ItfeelslikejustyesterdayIwasinthemidstof alltheexcitementofthe2022HonensInternationalPianoCompetition. WinningHonensstartedanentirelynewchapterinmylife.Itwasadream cometrue,andit’sbeennothingshortofanextraordinaryjourney.

TheHonensArtistDevelopmentProgramhasprovided,whatfeelslike, unlimitedopportunities.I’vediscoveredincrediblemusic(especiallyworks byUkrainiancomposerswhoaredeartomyheart);createdmeaningful programsandprojectswhichwillforeverstaywithmeasanartist;andhad thepleasureofmeetingmanygreatmusicians,presenters,andpeoplelike you,whohavehelpedmedevelopbothpersonallyandprofessionally. MyconnectiontoCalgaryhasdeepenedconsiderablyoverthesepastthree years.TheHonensTeam,throughtheirunwaveringdedicationandsupport, havebecomemorethanjustcolleagues,theyhavebecomeanintegral partofmyextendedfamily.Theircontinuoussupporthasbeenvitalto myprofessionaldevelopment,allowingmetoconcentrateonmypassion ofbringingdelightthroughmusic.Iamprofoundlygratefultotheentire HonensTeam,theLaureateCircle,andalltheHonenssupportersformaking thispossible.

I’mlookingforwardtopassingthebatontooneofthe10pianistscompeting inCalgarythisyear.Iamalsoverymuchlookingforwardtomyownrecital hereinCalgaryduringtheCompetitionandsharingmymusicwithyou all.ToalltheSemifinalists, Iencourageyoutoembraceeverypartofthis unparalleledexperience.Youarenowpartofatrulyincrediblecommunity. Iextendmysincerestbestwishestoeachofyou.Andforthepianistwhowill be granted the privilegeofbeingnamedthe2025HonensGoldLaureate,you areabouttoembarkonajourneylikenootherwithalaunchpadtomore thanyoucanpossiblyimagine.

IlliaOvcharenko

2022HonensPrizeLaureate

Then Now

ESTHERHONENS

“Myvisionistoidentifythefinestoftoday’syoungpianists,tobringthemtoCalgary inaCompetitionheldinthehighestinternationalesteem,andtocreatealegacyof musicalexcellencetobeenjoyedbyCanadiansforcountlessgenerations.”

—EstherHonens

In1991,afterattendingtheVanCliburnInternationalPianoCompetition, EstherHonenswasinspiredtobringasimilareventtoherhometown. At89yearsold,shedonated$5milliontoestablishtheEstherHonens InternationalPianoCompetitionFoundation.

Sadly,Esther’shealthwasrapidlydeclining,andsheknewshewasnearing theendofherlife.TheBoardofDirectorsandArtisticDirectorfacedtheurgent challengetoorganizetheinauguralcompetitionwhileshewasstillalive. ThankstothededicationofhundredsofCalgarians,thefirsteverHonens InternationalPianoCompetitionwasheldinNovember1992.Estherwatched herdreamcometruefromaspeciallybuiltchamberintheJackSinger ConcertHall.Justfivedayslater,shepassedaway.

LEGACYPARTNERS

HonensLegacyPartnerskeepEstherHonens’dreamandvisionalive. TheLegacyPartnersEndowmentFundensuresthecontinuationof impactfulprogramstoengagecommunity,fosterlifelonglearning,and buildmeaningfulconnections.

IanandHeatherBourne

Percy+ andLoisCole

JohnandSheilaghLangille F.RichardMatthews+ cmqc

+ Deceased

LegacyPartnersmakedonationsof$250,000 andmore.Allgiftsreceivedtodatehavebeen eligibleformatchingcontributionsfromthe GovernmentofCanada.

HonensendowmentfundsaremaintainedandadministeredbytheCalgaryFoundation.

BOARD

OFFICERS

HeatherMarreck

Chair

CorinnaLee

Secretary

BrianMilne

Treasurer

DIRECTORS

ShannonDay-Newman

HarveyDoerr

AnnieGuo

HughMcPhail kc

JoeMoreau

CarmenMorin

KimberleySundell

DaleTurri

JonKimuraParker* oc

AmandaSmith*

*Exofficio

VOLUNTEERS

HelenIsaac

Co-Chair

SheilaLetkeman-Mehra

Co-Chair

Honensthanksthehundredsofvolunteers whogenerouslysharetheirtimeandskills, listedonpage112.

STAFF

JonKimuraParker oc

ArtisticDirector

AmandaSmith

President& CEO

BrianneBachmeier

Controller &AdministrationManager

LiamBurford-Hothersall

Box Office & EngagementCoordinator

LisaFarquharson

Communications Manager

SimonMacLeod

MarketingManager

CatherineMcClelland

Artistic Planning Director

NadiaRiterman

Community Program Manager

JenniferWeihmann

Stewardship & Major Gifts Director

CONSULTANTS

DeniseBall

Writer, Competitor Biographies

ZanaCorbett

RecordingEngineer

ErnstEnns

Official Mathematician

MatthewHerman

Public Relations

ChrisKreiger

LivestreamProducer

MosesRenert

Official Mathematician

AlexRobinson

Livestream Director

PatriciaPrice

Public Relations

RikkiSchlosser

Production & Backstage Manager

GavinShaw

Production Coordinator

LAUREATES 1992TO2022

Formorethan30years,Honenshasdedicateditselftoidentifyingthenext generationofCompleteArtists.HonensJurieshaveawardedthefollowing Laureatesfromaroundtheworldwhoembodythisphilosophy.

2022

IlliaOvcharenko

PrizeLaureate

2018

NicolasNamoradze PrizeLaureate

2015

LucaBuratto PrizeLaureate

2012

PavelKolesnikov PrizeLaureate

2009

GeorgyTchaidze PrizeLaureate

EvgenyStarodubtsev GillesVonsattel Laureates

2006 MinsooSohn

PrizeLaureate

HinrichAlpers HongXu

Laureates

2003

XiangZou PrizeLaureate

WinstonChoi RobertoPlano Laureates

2000

KatherineChi PrizeLaureate

MarkoMartin AlessandraAmmara Laureates

1996

MaximPhilippov PrizeLaureate

AlbertTiu EugeneWatanabe Laureates

1992 YiWu PrizeLaureate

KrzysztofJabłoński

Jean-EfflamBavouzet SergeiBabayan

DmitryNesterov Laureates

ForalistofallpreviousCompetitionpersonnel,includingJuries, CollaboratingArtists,andMentors,pleasevisit honens.com/past.

SUPPORTHONENS

Webelieveinthepowerofmusicto transformlives.Yourgifthelpsbring thejoyofpianomusictopeople ofallagesandbackgrounds.

Process Prizes

THECOMPLETEARTIST

TheHonensInternationalPianoCompetition discoversunique,imaginative,andinformed pianists.AtHonens,theCompleteArtistis:

Thoughtful

Athoughtfulinterpreter,a consummatecollaborator,anaweinspiringvirtuoso,acommunicator, arisk-takingexplorer,adreamer.

Creative Apianistwhoexpressesand interpretsideas fromawide culturalcontext,guidedbyakeen imagination,throughperformances andprogrammingchoicesenriched byafascinationforlifebeyondthe practicestudio.

Versatile

Anemergingartistwhose distinctivevoice,versatility,and easeclearlydemonstratethelevel ofpreparednessandmastery necessarytoembarkupona professionalcareer.

Visionary

Aleader,teacher,advocate,and citizenartistwhoisskilledin thebusinessofmusic,ableto recognizeandseizeopportunities, knowledgeableaboutself-care, influentialincommunications,and sociallyconscious.

TheCompleteArtist’sinterpretationsarefoundedupontheintellectualand emotionalunderstandingofmusicaltext,andtheirabilitytosynthesizeand expresssuchunderstandingsoastochallengeandstirboththeintellectand theemotionsofthelistener.Thiscreativeawarenessstemsnotonlyfrom knowledgeofaparticularcompositionitselfbutfromawideknowledgeof relatedmusic,ofmusicalliteratureasawhole,andoftheartsingeneral. Iftheresultinginterpretationappearsunusualandunconventional,itdoes sofreshlyandnaturally.

PianiststakingpartintheHonensInternationalPianoCompetitionmustalso express—throughtheirstagedeportment,programdesign,andinterviews withartsjournalists—asensitivitytocontemporarycultureandawillingness andfinessetocommunicateeffectivelywithaudiencesregardlessofage, location,background,ordegreeofmusicalsophistication.

APPLICATIONPROCESSANDEVALUATION

ApplicationstotheCompetitionareacceptedthroughanonlineplatform. Pianists aged 20 to 30, with the exception of previous Honens Laureates, areeligibletoapply.

Honensasksforacomprehensiveresumeofeducation,experience,and interests.Proof ofschoolinganddocumentationfromperformancesand competitionsmustbeprovided.

TheApplicantScreeningJury,comprisedoffourmembers,evaluates applicationsbasedonproposedCompetitionprogramming,experience relativetoage,andconfidentialreferenceletters.TheApplicantScreening Juryselects50pianiststoadvancetotheQuarterfinals.

QUARTERFINALS

InternationalAuditionRound

Quarterfinalistsperforma40-minuteself-programmedrecitalinBerlin orNew YorkCity. Recitalsarevideorecordedunderassimilarconditions aspossible.Followingtherecital,eachQuarterfinalistparticipatesina 10-minute,English-languageinterviewwhichisalsocapturedonvideo.

TheFirstJury,comprisedoffourmembers,evaluatesthe50Quarterfinal video-recordedrecitalsandinterviews,andselects10pianiststoadvanceto theSemifinals.

PIANOSELECTION

Semifinalistschoosetheirperformancepiano(s)frominstrumentssupplied byHonensOfficialPianoSponsor,Steinway&Sons.Eachpianistisallotted 30minutesfortheirpianoselection.Theymaychooseadifferentinstrument forthesolo,collaborative,chamber,andconcertoperformances.

SEMIFINALS

SoloandCollaborativeRound

Performanceorderisdetermined,byrandomdraw,inadvanceofthe Semifinals. Thisorderofperformanceismaintainedthroughoutthe Semifinalsexcept,atthediscretionoftheJuryFacilitator,forreasonof accident,illness,orotheruntowardcircumstance.

Eachofthe10Semifinalistsperformintwoseparaterounds:

SemifinalsI a60-minutesolorecitalwhichmustincludeatleastonework fromanunder-representedcomposer*

SemifinalsII a65-minutesolo/collaborativerecitalwhichmustincludea newlycommissionedworkbyImanHabibi**,twoworksfor celloandpiano(fromaprescribedlist),andsolorepertoireto roundouttheprogram

*Honensdoesnotprovideaspecifieddefinitionforunder-representedcomposer.Instead,eachpianistprovidestheirown explanationandrationalefortheirchoice.

**TheImanHabibiCommissionismadepossiblethroughthegenerosityofIreneandWaltDeBoni.

Pianistsareaskedtodesigntheirrecitalprogramswiththesamecareand onthesameprinciplesasforpublic,professionalconcerts.Honensbelieves aCompleteArtistexploresboththepivotalworksofpianoliteratureandthe musicofourtime(i.e.workscomposedduringthelast50years).

Eachpianisthasa75-minuterehearsalwiththecollaborativeartist,Rachel Mercer,andarun-throughimmediatelybeforethecollaborativerecital.

TheSecondJury,comprisedofsevenmembers,selectsthreepianiststo advancetotheFinals.Jurydeliberationstakeplaceimmediatelyfollowingthe lastSemifinalsrecitalsandtheannouncementismadethatsameevening.

FINALS

Chamber,Concerto,andInterviewRound

Theorderofchamberandconcertoperformanceismadeprogrammatically and isdecidedbyHonensArtisticDirectorandtheconductorofFinalsII, EliasGrandy.

EachofthethreeFinalistsperformintwoseparaterounds:

FinalsI a pianoquintet(fromaprescribedlist)withstringquartet, andanencoreannouncedfromthestage

FinalsII anyconcertocomposedafter1791,withfullorchestra

ThethreeFinalistsalsoundertakea30-minuteEnglish-languageinterview withclassicalmusicjournalistKatherineDuncan.

EachFinalisthasatwo-hourrehearsalwiththeIsidoreStringQuartet,and anonstagewarmupimmediatelybeforeFinalsI.Theyalsohavea30-minute meetingwithEliasGrandy(conductor)followedbyatwo-hourrehearsal withtheCalgaryPhilharmonicOrchestrafortheirFinalsIIconcerto.Thereis adressrehearsalonthedayofperformance.

SecondJurydeliberationstakeplaceimmediatelyfollowingtheFinalsII performanceandtheannouncementofthe2025HonensGoldLaureateis madethatsameevening.

COLLABORATORS

Priortoscoring,RachelMercer,EliasGrandy,andarepresentativeofthe IsidoreStringQuartetmeetwiththeSecondJuryfollowingtheirrespective roundstooffertheirimpressionsofeachpianist.Theyareinvitedtodiscuss theentirecollaborativeexperience,fromrehearsalthroughperformance.

ForthepurposeoftheBestPerformanceoftheCommissionedWorkprize, ImanHabibiisalsoinvitedtoofferhisopinionstotheJury.

MEETINGWITHJURORSANDMENTOR-IN-RESIDENCE

AllmembersoftheSecondJuryremaininCalgaryforonedayafterthe FinalstosharetheirknowledgeandexpertisewithCompetitionpianists. Pianistsmaydiscussquestionsrelatingtotheirowntechniqueand musicianshipwitheach Juror.

AhighlyrespectedpianistattendsthefinalweekoftheCompetitionas Mentor-in-Residence.The2025Mentor-in-ResidenceisSirStephenHough. ThesevenpianistswhodonotadvancetotheFinalseachmeetwiththe Mentorfora60-minutecoachingsession.TheMentoralsoattendstheFinals andmeetswiththeGold,Silver,andBronzeLaureates.

JURIES

HonensJuriesincludeconcertpianistsandotherprofessionals(artist managers,collaborativemusicians,presenters, etc.) from the musical world whoplayameaningfulroleinaconcertartist’scareer.Alljurorshaveextensive knowledgeofpianoliteratureandrepresentand/orareawareofthequalities anartistmustpossesstobuildandsustainacareerin today’smusicindustries.

JURYFACILITATOR

HonensArtisticDirectorJonKimuraParkeractsasJuryFacilitator.Hehas theright,atanytime,toremindjuriesofcriteriaforthechoiceofpianists andprizewinnerstomaintaintheintegrityoftheprocessandofthe Competition,andmayinvitediscussionatanytime.

OFFICIALMATHEMATICIAN

HonensOfficialMathematicianMosesRenertmonitorsandregulatesthe votingprocessandscoringprocedurestoensureabsolutefairness.He attendsjury deliberations, but doesnotvoteandisnotinvitedtodiscuss musicianswithjuries.TheJuryFacilitatormayasktheOfficialMathematician toleaddiscussionsontopicsofscoringorvotingprocedures,orwhenscores orrankingsareindecipherablebetweenpianists.

JURYMANUAL

GuidelinesandprocessesareinplacetoensuretheHonensInternational PianoCompetitionisas fairaspossibleandcontinuestoleadthe competitionworldbyreputation.

ToreadtheJuryManual,visit honens.com/jury

AWARDS

CASHPRIZES

TheHonensGoldLaureatereceivesoneofthelargestcashprizes awardedtoasinglewinnerbyanyinternationalcompetitionforemerging classicalmusicians.

GoldLaureate

$100,000and Artist DevelopmentProgram

SilverLaureate

$40,000and Artist DevelopmentProgram

BronzeLaureate

$20,000and Artist DevelopmentProgram

AllprizesareawardedinCanadianDollars.

AudienceChoice*

$5,000

BestPerformanceofthe Commissioned Work**

$5,000

Semifinalists

$2,500each(seven)

*AudienceChoiceAwardismadepossiblethroughthegenerosityofHeatherEdwards.

**BestPerformanceoftheCommissionedWorkAward is made possible through the generosity of James M. Stanford.

TROPHIES

TheGold,Silver,andBronzeLaureatesreceivehandblownglasstrophies, designedbyFirebrandGlassStudio.

BasedinDiamondValley,Alberta, Firebrand is a glass studio where artists JuliaReimerandTylerRockcreatetheirindividualartworkandcollaborate onpublicart,customawards,andlighting.Collectively,theyhavebeen blowingandsculptingglassforover50yearsandhavebeenrecognized fortheirexcellencebytheCanadaCouncilfortheArts,theAlberta FoundationfortheArts,andtheCorningMuseumofGlass.

ARTISTDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Oneofthemostcomprehensiveartistic developmentandcareeracceleratorsavailable intheworld.

Theholisticthree-yearprogram—offeredtoHonensLaureates—provides thementorship,opportunities,andresourcesneededtosupportevery dimensionofamodernconcertartist’scareer:artistic,professional,and personal.TailoredtoeachLaureate,theprogrammayinclude:

+ Debutrecitalsincareer-buildingmarkets;

+ Introductionstoartistmanagers;

+ Coachingandmentorship;

+ Opportunitiesforvocalcoachingandpublicspeakingdevelopment;

+ Mediatraining;

+ Educationinfinancialliteracyandacumen;

+ Opportunitiestoexperimentwithprogrammingandcollaborations for specificaudiences;

+ Residenciesandspecialprojects;

+ Production,release,anddistributionofprofessionalrecordings;

+ Dressorsuitdesignedandmade byPaulHardyorButts&Co.;

+ andmore.

The ArtistDevelopmentProgramismadepossiblebydonationsfrom HonensLaureateCirclemembersacrossCanada,andisfurthersupported bytheAzrieliFoundationandRBCFoundation.

LAUREATE APPEARANCES

AsCanada’sinternationalpianocompetition,it’simportantforHonens LaureatestosharetheirloveofpianomusicacrossCanada,inadditionto debutrecitalsaroundtheworld.Attimeofprint,Honenshaspartneredwith thefollowingCanadianpresenters to showcase the 2025 Laureates overthe nextthreeyears:

ArtSpring SaltspringIsland

CanadianOperaCompany Toronto

CeciliaConcerts Halifax CecilianChamberMusicSeries Regina TheCoastRecitalSociety Sechelt LeDomaineForgetdeCharlevoix Saint-Irénée DonWrightFacultyofMusic,WesternUniversity London IsabelBaderCentreforthePerformingArts,Queen’sUniversity Kingston

TheJeffreyConcerts London FestivaldemusiquedechambredeMontréal Montréal MuzewestConcerts Vancouver

TorontoSummerMusic Toronto

VictoriaSummerMusicFestival Victoria Westben Campbellford

HonensisalsothrilledtopartnerAnalekta,theleadingindependentclassicalmusicrecord labelinCanada,toproducebothliveandstudiorecordingsofHonensLaureates.

FRACTURE

About Fracture

“Iwritethispieceatatimeofextremepoliticalandenvironmental uncertainty,ascracksbegintoappearinthefoundationsofoursociety. Abandonisinabundance.MyhomecountryofCanadafindsitselfunder existentialthreats,whilemybirthcountryofIranisbeingbombed.The mostinfluentialeconomywithdrawsfromtheworldinwhatmaybeour finalyearstomitigatethe mostsevere adverseeffectsofclimatechange, whilemyfriendslivingtherelosetheirhomestocatastrophicfires.Aswe continuetoproudlytearouronlyplanetapart, Ifearbythetimewediscover thegemhidingwithinthesefracturedsurfaces,andrememberwhatistruly deartous,itmaybetoolatetorevive,protect,andcherishit.Butthispiece alsotakessolaceinknowinglightoftenfindsitswaythroughthefractures.”

—ImanHabibi

HonensisgratefulforIrene&WaltDeBoni’s commitmenttokeepingnewmusicalive.

“Webelieveinsupportingcomposers, especiallyCanadiancomposers,as itisimportanttohearmusicthat reflectsourtime,inadditiontothe classicswealllove.It’saprivilegeto supportaworkthatholdsspacefor griefandhopeforthefuture.Weare proudtosupportthecommission byImanHabibiforthe2025Honens Competition,whichspeakssourgently andbeautifullytotheworldweshare, andservesasareminderthateven indarkness,musicofferslight.”

—Irene&WaltDeBoni

NEVER MISS A MOMENT

Experiencetheexcitementofthe2025 HonensInternationalPianoCompetitionas theworld’stopemergingpianistscompete foroneofclassicalmusic’smostprestigious prizes.Enjoyunforgettableperformances, behind-the-scenescontent,andcompelling interviewshostedbyCanadianpianists CarmenMorinandPhilipChiu,streamed liveandavailableondemand—bringing theartistryandpassionoftheCompetition toyouanytime,anywhere.

Schedule Programs

SCHEDULEATAGLANCE

Honens InternationalPiano Competition 25 20

DiscovertheCompleteArtistwith10daysofextraordinarypianomusic includingcompetitiveconcertsfrom10of theworld’stopemergingpianists, intimatesolorecitals,informativemasterclasses,andlate-nightcabarets. Experiencethepianoinallitsbrilliance—live,intheheartofCalgary.

WEDNESDAY 15OCTOBER

8PM

NEURORECITAL withNicolasNamoradze INFINITYDOMETHEATRE Page36

THURSDAY 16OCTOBER

1PM

SEMIFINALSI solorecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL DerekWang CarterJohnson Page38

7PM

SEMIFINALSII solorecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL

YuanfanYang ÁdámBalogh Page40

FRIDAY 17OCTOBER

1PM

SEMIFINALSIII solorecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL ÉlisabethPion EliaCecino Page44

7PM

SEMIFINALSIV solorecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL ChaeyoungPark AnastasiaVorotnaya Page46

SATURDAY 18OCTOBER

9AM

MASTERCLASSI

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL

Anne-MarieMcDermott

Freeadmissionwithregistration Page48

1PM

SEMIFINALSV solorecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL GiorgioLazzari SandroNebieridze Page50

7PM

SEMIFINALSVI collaborativerecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL DerekWang CarterJohnson RachelMercer Page52

SUNDAY 19OCTOBER

9AM

MASTERCLASSII

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL

JaninaFialkowska

Freeadmissionwithregistration Page54

1PM

SEMIFINALSVII collaborativerecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL

YuanfanYang ÁdámBalogh

RachelMercer Page56

7PM

SEMIFINALSVIII collaborativerecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL

ÉlisabethPion

EliaCecino

RachelMercer Page58

MONDAY 20OCTOBER

1PM

SEMIFINALSIX collaborativerecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL

ChaeyoungPark

AnastasiaVorotnaya

RachelMercer Page60

7PM

SEMIFINALSX collaborativerecitals

ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉHALL

GiorgioLazzari

SandroNebieridze

RachelMercer Page62

TUESDAY 21OCTOBER

6PM

HONENSHONOURS

CALGARYPETROLEUMCLUB

Celebrating

HeatherEdwards, HelenGraham,and ClariceEvansSiebens Page64

WEDNESDAY 22OCTOBER

7PM CURTAINCALL

IlliaOvcharenko inRecital

HEATHEREDWARDSTHEATRE Page66

9PM

BISONNOIR: MÚSICACALLADA

withSirStephenHough GROTTO Page68

THURSDAY

23OCTOBER

7PM FINALSI

JACKSINGERCONCERTHALL ThreeFinalists

IsidoreStringQuartet Page72

FRIDAY

24OCTOBER

7PM FINALSII

JACKSINGERCONCERTHALL ThreeFinalists

CalgaryPhilharmonic Orchestra

EliasGrandy Page74

11PMORLATER AWARDSSHOW withtheannouncement ofthe2025Honens GoldLaureate.

OTHERHONENS

HAPPENINGS

Forallotherevents, seepage100.

HELP SHAPE THE FUTUREOFHONENS

Yourvoicematters.Takeafewminutestoshare yourthoughtsandbeenteredtowinoneofthree $500cashprizes!

AtHonens,youaretheheartofeverythingwedo.As a guest of the 2025 Honens InternationalPianoCompetition,yourfeedbackhelpsuscreateinspiring, memorable,andmeaningfulexperiences.Thisshortsurveyisyourchance totellusaboutyourself,whatyouloved,whatwecanimprove,andhowwe canmake the Honens experience even betterforyouandourcommunity.

HELPFULHINTS

BeSocial

Shareyourmemoriesfromthe Competition onsocialmedia! Follow @Honens onFacebook, Instagram, andLinkedIn,andbe suretouse #Honens2025

Livestream

SemifinalsandFinalsarelivestreamed at honens.com/livestream and willremainavailablefollowing theCompetition.

Latecomers

Latecomersareadmitted into concerthallsonlyduring appropriatebreaksbetween performances.

PlanYourVisit

Forinformationongettinghere, parking atvenues,oractivities toenjoyonyournightout,visit honens.com/faq.

PhoneEtiquette

Beforetheconcertbegins,ensure your devicesaresilencedorturned off.Feelfreetosnapaquickphoto, butpleasebediscretesoyoudon’t disturbyourneighboursorthe performers.Makesureyourflash isoffandyourscreenisdimmed.

Disclaimer

Photographyandvideographymay occur throughouttheCompetition. ByattendingHonensevents, youconsenttosuchrecording mediaanditsrelease,publication, exhibition,orreproduction.Ifyou wishtobeexcludedfromanyphoto orvideorecording,pleaseseethe HonensTeam.

Children

Competitioneventsarerestrictedto thosesevenyearsofageandolder.

Feedback

Yourcommentsandsuggestions are welcome.Pleasecall 4032990130 oremail info@honens.com

NEURORECITAL WITHNICOLASNAMORADZE

WEDNESDAY15OCTOBER

8PM

InfinityDomeTheatre,TELUSSpark NicolasNamoradze piano

JohannSebastian Bach 1685–1750

Ludwigvan Beethoven 1770–1827

Claude Debussy 1862–1918

Alexander Scriabin 1872–1915

Maurice Ravel arr.Namoradze

PreludeandFugueinEMajorBWV878

II.Scherzo:Assaivivace from SonatainB-flatMajorOp.106

Preludes,BookI

IV.‘Lessonsetlesparfumstournentdansl’airdusoir’ X.‘Lacathédraleengloutie’

SonataNo.2inG-sharpminorOp.19

I.Andante II.Presto

DaphnisetChloéSuiteNo.2

I.Leverdujour

II.Pantomime

III.Dansegénérale

SEMIFINALSI THURSDAY

16OCTOBER

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

12PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

1PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

DerekWang piano

Roberto Sierra b.1953

Franz Schubert arr.Liszt

Ludwigvan Beethoven 1770–1827

Toccata(2008)

SchwanengesangD.957 No.13DerDoppelgänger No.14DieTaubenpost

PianoSonataNo.29inB-flatMajorOp.106 “Hammerklavier”

Allegro

Scherzo:Assaivivace Adagiosostenuto Introduzione.Largo–Fuga:Allegrorisoluto INTERMISSION

CarterJohnson piano

Robert Schumann 1810–1856

Alexander Scriabin 1872–1915

Hanna Kulenty b.1961

Béla Bartók 1881–1945

DavidsbündlertänzeOp.6 Lebhaft

Innig

MitHumor Ungeduldig Einfach

Sehrrasch Nichtschnell Frisch Lebhaft

Balladenmässig:Sehrrasch Einfach

MitHumor Wildundlustig

Zartundsingend Frisch

MitgutemHumor WieausderFerne Nichtschnell

FivePreludesOp.74 Douloureux,déchirant Trèslent,contemplative Allegrodrammatico Lent,vague,indécis Fier,belliqueux

AtlantissSolo(2022)

SonataSz.80 Allegromoderato Sostenutoepesante Allegromolto

SEMIFINALSII

THURSDAY 16OCTOBER

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

6PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

7PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

YuanfanYang piano

WolfgangAmadeus Mozart 1756–1791

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873–1943

PianoSonatainCMajorK.330 Allegromoderato Andantecantabile Allegretto

VariationsonaThemebyCorelliOp.42

Theme:Andante Pocopiùmosso L’istessotempo Tempodimenuetto

Andante Allegro(manontanto) L’istessotempo

Vivace Adagiomisterioso Unpocopiùmosso Allegroscherzando Allegrovivace Agitato continued

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873–1943

continued VariationsonaThemebyCorelliOp.42

Atemporubato Andante(comeprima) L’istessotempo Allegrovivace Menomosso

Yuanfan Yang b.1997 Waves from ThreeAquarelles(2011)

Claude Debussy 1862–1918

Frédéric Chopin 1810–1849

Allegroconbrio Piùmosso–agitato Piùmosso

Coda:Andante

Refletsdansl’eau from ImagesI.L105

Variationson“Làcidaremlamano”fromMozart’s DonGiovanniinB-flatMajorOp.2 Introduction:Largo–Pocopiùmosso Theme:Allegretto VariationI:Brillante VariationII:Velocemaaccuratamente VariationIII VariationIV VariationV:Adagio–AllaPolacca

INTERMISSION

ÁdámBalogh piano

Robert Schumann 1810–1856

Nikolai Medtner 1880–1951

FantasiestückeOp.12

DesAbends Aufschwung Warum? Grillen

ForgottenMelodiesOp.38

Sonatareminiscenza inAminor:Allegretto tranquillo Danzagraziosa: conmotoleggiero Danzafestiva:Presto Canzonafluviala: Allegrettoconmoto

InderNacht Fabel TraumesWirren EndevomLied

Danzarustica: Allegrocommodo Canzonaserenatain Fminor:Moderato Danzasilvestra Allareminiscenza: Quasicoda

THEHONENSLAB

FRIDAY 17–SUNDAY 19OCTOBER

Curatedandledbypianist,composer,2018HonensPrizeLaureate, andFirstJurymember,NicolasNamoradze,TheHonensLab providesparticipantswithawell-roundedlearningexperience, basedonthephilosophyoftheCompleteArtist,expanding traditionalmasterclassformats.

Participantsreceiveindividualfeedbackinapublicmasterclass witheitherAnne-MarieMcDermott(page48)orJaninaFialkowska (page54),andoneadditionalsessionwithNicolas.Participantswillalso takepartinthreeseminars,ledbyNicolas,addressingkeyareasoften notcoveredinstandardtraining.Topicsincludeperformancepsychology, mentalpreparation,practicestrategies,andmindfulness—toolstohelp supportbothartisticdevelopmentandpersonalwell-being.

Inadditiontothesesessions,participantsattendseveraleventsduring theHonensCompetition,includingthreeSemifinalperformancesand Pre-ConcertChats,providingachancetodeepentheirunderstandingof performanceatthehighestlevelandtoreflectcriticallyontheirown artisticgrowth.

JacobCai Calgary,Alberta

CharlotteGiraudeau Calgary,Alberta

JerryLiao Calgary,Alberta

AlexanderMerpaw Cardinal,Ontario

DakotaPerez Calgary,Alberta

KatherinePham Calgary,Alberta

SEMIFINALSIII

FRIDAY17OCTOBER

12PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

1PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

ÉlisabethPion piano

Grażyna Bacewicz 1909–1969

Élisabeth Pion b.1996

SonataNo.2inEminorOp.25 Maestoso

Largo Toccata:Vivo

Septmerséparses(2025)

Frédéric Chopin 1810–1849 ÉtudesOp.25

No.1inA-flatMajor

No.2inFminor

No.3inFMajor No.4inAminor

No.5inEminor

No.6inG-sharpminor

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

No.7inC-sharpminor

No.8inD-flatMajor

No.9inG-flatMajor No.10inBminor No.11inAminor No.12inCminor

INTERMISSION

EliaCecino piano

JohannSebastian Bach 1685–1750

FranzJ. Haydn 1732–1809

ToccatainGminor BWV915

Maurice Ravel 1875–1937

Alexander Scriabin 1872–1915

SonatainEminorHob.XVI:34 Presto Adagio Vivacemolto

Miroirs

No.4Alboradadelgracioso No.5Lavalléedescloches

SonataNo.3inF-sharpminorOp.23 Drammatico Allegretto Andante Prestoconfuoco

Alfredo Casella 1883–1947 ToccataOp.6

SEMIFINALSIV FRIDAY17OCTOBER

6PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

7PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

ChaeyoungPark piano

Unsuk Chin b.1961

Olivier Messiaen 1908–1992

Ludwigvan Beethoven 1770–1827

INTERMISSION

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

EtudeNo.1“inC”(1999rev.2003)

XV. LeBaiserdel’Enfant-Jésus from VingtRegardssurL’Enfant-Jésus

SonataNo.29inB-flatMajorOp.106 “Hammerklavier” Allegro

Scherzo:Assaivivace Adagiosostenuto Introduzione.Largo–Fuga:Allegrorisoluto

AnastasiaVorotnaya piano

César

Franck trans.HaroldBauer

Maurice Ravel 1875–1937

Fanny Mendelssohn 1805–1847

Nikolai Medtner 1880–1951

Vladimir Ryabov b.1950

Prélude,FugueetVariationOp.18

Jeuxd’eaux

NotturnoGminorH.337

PianoSonataOp.25No.2“NightWind” Introduzione:Andante–Allegro Allgromoltosfrenatamente,presto

EchooftheMephistoWaltzOp.42-bis(1990)

Worldclass facilitiesat

MASTERCLASS I SATURDAY 18OCTOBER

9AM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

FREEADMISSIONWITHREGISTRATION

Anne-MarieMcDermott piano

Ludwigvan

Beethoven 1770–1827

JerryLiao

Calgary

Felix Mendelssohn 1809–1847

CharlotteGiraudeau

Calgary

Frédéric

Chopin 1810–1849

JacobCai

Calgary

PianoSonataNo.24inF-sharpMajorOp.78

VariationssérieusesOp.54

BarcarolleinF-sharpMajorOp.60

MasterclassperformersareparticipantsofTheHonensLab(page42).

SEMIFINALSV

SATURDAY 18OCTOBER

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

12PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

1PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

GiorgioLazzari piano

Franz Schubert 1797–1828

Galina Ustvolskaya 1919–2006

Franz Liszt 1811–1886

Dmitri Shostakovich 1906–1975

INTERMISSION

SonataNo.19in Cminor D.958 Allegro

Adagio

Menuetto:Allegro–Trio Allegro

SonataNo.1

No.9Ricordanza from Étudesd’exécutiontranscendanteS.139

SonataNo.1Op.12

SandroNebieridze piano

Ludwigvan Beethoven 1770–1827

Frédéric Chopin 1810–1849

Alexander Scriabin 1872–1915

Sandro Nebieridze b.2001

PianoSonatainDMajorOp.28“Pastorale” Allegro

Andante

Scherzo:Allegrovivace Rondo:Allegromanontroppo

PolonaiseinE-flatminorOp.26No.2

PolonaiseinF-sharpminorOp.44

PianoSonataNo.7Op.64“WhiteMass”

Toccata(2017)

SEMIFINALSVI

SATURDAY 18OCTOBER

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

6PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

7PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

DerekWang piano RachelMercer cello

Robert Schumann 1810–1856 ToccatainCMajorOp.7

Iman

Habibi b.1985 Fracture(2025)

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873–1943

Sonatafor piano andcello inGminorOp.19 Lento–Allegromoderato Allegroscherzando Andante Allegromosso

Maurice Ravel 1875–1937 PièceenformedeHabanera

Charles Ives 1874–1954

TheCelestialRailroad III.TheAlcotts from PianoSonataNo.2“ConcordMass.1840-1860” INTERMISSION

CarterJohnson piano RachelMercer cello

Sergei Prokofiev 1891–1953

Maurice Ravel 1875–1937

Iman Habibi b.1985

Maurice Ravel

CelloSonatainCMajorOp.119

Andantegrave Moderato Allegromanontroppo

PièceenformedeHabanera

Fracture(2025)

Sergei Prokofiev

ValsesnoblesetsentimentalesM.61

Modéré–Trèsfranc Assezlent Modéré Assezanimé Presquelent Vif Moinsvif Épilogue:Lent

Waltz:CinderellaandthePrince from 6PiecesfromCinderellaOp.102

Scherzo from 6PiecesforPianoOp.52

Dolente from VisionsfugitivesOp.22

Suggestiondiabolique from 4piecesforPianoOp.4

MASTERCLASS II

SUNDAY19OCTOBER

9AM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

FREEADMISSIONWITHREGISTRATION

JaninaFialkowska piano

Frédéric

Chopin

1810–1849

DakotaPerez

Calgary

Franz Liszt

1811–1886

KatherinePham

Calgary

Frédéric

Chopin

1810–1849

AlexanderMerpaw Cardinal,Ontario

I.Allegromaestoso

from PianoSonataNo.3inBminorOp.58

No.6Valléed’Obermann from AnnéesdepèlerinageI,S.160

BalladeNo.2inFMajorOp.38

MasterclassperformersareparticipantsofTheHonensLab(page42).

SEMIFINALSVII

SUNDAY19OCTOBER

12PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

1PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

YuanfanYang piano RachelMercer cello

Felix Mendelssohn 1797–1828

Maurice Ravel 1875–1937

CelloSonatain DMajor Op.58 Allegroassaivivace Allegrettoscherzando Adagio Moltoallegroevivace

PièceenformedeHabanera

Iman Habibi b.1985 Fracture(2025)

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

Robert Schumann 1810–1856

CarnavalOp.9

Préambule

Pierrot

Arlequin

Valsenoble

Eusebius

Florestan

Coquette

Réplique

Papillons

Lettresdansantes

Chiarina

Chopin

INTERMISSION

ÁdámBalogh piano

RachelMercer cello

Frédéric

Chopin 1810–1849

Gabriel Fauré 1845–1924

Iman Habibi b.1985

Claude Debussy 1862–1918

Béla Bartók 1881–1945

Estrella Reconnaissance

PantalonetColombine

Valseallemande

Paganini

Aveu

Promenade

Pause

Marchedes “Davidsbündler” contrelesPhilistins

SonatainGminorforcelloandpianoOp.65

Allegromoderato

Scherzo Largo

Finale.Allegro

Aprèsunrêve from TroisMelodiesOp.7

Fracture(2025)

ImagesBook1

Refletsdansl’eau

HommageàRameau Mouvement

3BurlesquesSz.47Op.8c

I.Quarrel:Presto

II.Abittipsy:Allegretto

III.Moltovivo,capriccioso

SEMIFINALSVIII

SUNDAY19OCTOBER

6PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

7PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

ÉlisabethPion piano

RachelMercer cello

Iman Habibi

b.1985 Fracture(2025)

Maurice Ravel

1875–1937 Miroirs No.1Noctuelles

No.2Oiseauxtristes

No.3Unbarquesurl’océan No.4Alboradadelgracioso No.5Lavalléedescloches

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873–1943

Fritz Kreisler 1875–1962

INTERMISSION

EliaCecino piano

RachelMercer cello

Ludwigvan Beethoven 1770–1828

Sonatafor piano andcello inGminorOp.19 Lento–Allegromoderato Allegroscherzando Andante Allegromosso

SchönRosmarin from Alt-WeinerTanzweisen

Gabriel Fauré 1845–1924

Iman Habibi b.1985

Robert Schumann 1810–1856

CelloSonataNo.3inAMajorOp.69

Allegro,manontanto Scherzo:Allegromolto Adagiocantabile Allegrovivace

Aprèsunrêve from TroisMelodiesOp.7

Fracture(2025)

SonataNo.1inF-sharpminorOp.11 Introduzione:unpocoadagio–allegrovivace Aria

ScherzoeIntermezzo:Allegrissimo–Lento Finale:Allegrounpocomaestoso

SEMIFINALSIX

MONDAY20OCTOBER

12PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

1PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

ChaeyoungPark piano RachelMercer cello

Iman Habibi b.1985 Fracture(2025)

JohannSebastian

Bach 1685–1750

FourDuetsBWV802-805

Ana Sokolović b.1968 Danse5 from DansesetInterludes(2002)

Claude Debussy 1862–1918

PourlePiano Prélude Sarabande Toccata

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming. Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

Felix Mendelssohn 1797–1828

Fritz Kreisler 1875–1962

INTERMISSION

CelloSonatain DMajor Op.58 Allegroassaivivace Allegrettoscherzando Adagio Moltoallegroevivace

SchönRosmarin from Alt-WeinerTanzweisen

AnastasiaVorotnaya piano

RachelMercer cello

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873–1943

Sonatafor piano andcello inGminorOp.19

Lento–Allegromoderato Allegroscherzando Andante Allegromosso

Ernest Bloch 1880–1959 Prayer from JewishLifeB.54

Iman Habibi b.1985

Grażyna Bacewicz 1909–1969

Fracture(2025)

SonataNo.2inEminorOp.25 Maestoso Largo Toccata:Vivo

SEMIFINALSX MONDAY20OCTOBER

6PM

PRE-CONCERTCHAT

CenovusEnergyGreatHall,RozsaCentre

KatherineDuncan host

7PM

Eckhardt-GramattéHall,RozsaCentre

GiorgioLazzari piano RachelMercer cello

Ludwigvan Beethoven 1770–1828

Maurice Ravel 1875–1937

Iman Habibi b.1985

Johannes Brahms 1833–1897

Sergei Prokofiev 1891–1953

INTERMISSION

PROGRAM NOTES

EachCompetitorhas writtentheirownprogram notes,offeringpersonal insightsintotheirartistic choicesandtheworks theyareperforming.

Visit honens.com/programs toreadmore.

CelloSonataNo.3inAMajorOp.69 Allegro,manontanto Scherzo:Allegromolto Adagiocantabile–Allegrovivace

PièceenformedeHabanera

Fracture(2025)

Scherzo inE-flatminorOp.4

SonataNo.7Op.83 Allegroinquieto Andantecaloroso Precipitato

SandroNebieridze piano

RachelMercer cello

Sergei Prokofiev 1891–1953

Fritz Kreisler 1875–1962

Iman Habibi b.1985

Felix Mendelssohn 1809–1847

CelloSonatainCMajorOp.119

Andantegrave Moderato Allegromanontroppo

SchönRosmarin from Alt-WeinerTanzweisen

Fracture(2025)

VariationssérieusesinDminorOp.54

Felix Mendelssohn arr.Rachmaninoff Scherzo from MidsummerNight’sDream

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873–1943

VariationsonaThemeofCorelliOp.42

Theme:Andante

Pocopiùmosso L’istessotempo Tempodimenuetto Andante

Allegro(manontanto) L’istessotempo

Vivace

Adagiomisterioso

Unpocopiùmosso Allegroscherzando

WhiletheJurydeliberatesfollowingthisrecital,joinusinthe lobbyforacelebrationoftheextraordinaryartistrythroughout theSemifinals.TheAnnouncementoftheFinalistswillbe madeassoonastheJuryhasmadetheirdecision.

Allegrovivace

Agitato

Atemporubato

Andante(comeprima)

L’istessotempo

Allegrovivace

Menomosso

Allegroconbrio

Piùmosso–agitato

Piùmosso

Coda:Andante

HONENSHONOURS

TUESDAY 21OCTOBER

CelebratingHeatherEdwards,HelenGraham, andClariceEvansSiebens

6PM

CalgaryPetroleumClub

HonensHonoursisasignaturecelebrationpayingtributetoindividuals andorganizationswhosepassionfortheartshasprofoundlyshapedour culturallandscape.InspiredbythevisionaryspiritofEstherHonens,this eventshinesaspotlightonthosewhoseextraordinarycontributionshave enrichedourcity,province,andcountry.

ThegenerosityofHeatherEdwards,HelenGraham,andClariceEvans SiebenshaveshapednotonlyHonens,butCalgaryandCanada’sbroader culturallandscape.Theyremindusthatartistry,philanthropy,andsocial impactgohandinhand—anddeservetobecelebrated.

Honensisproudtohonourthreeextraordinary womenwhosequietleadershipandvision—like EstherHonensbeforethem—havehelpedbuild thevibrancyofourcity.

PresentingPartners

CURTAINCALL: ILLIAOVCHARENKOINRECITAL WEDNESDAY22OCTOBER

7PM

HeatherEdwardsTheatre,ContemporaryCalgary IlliaOvcharenko piano

Frédéric Chopin 1810–1849

Boris Lyatoshinsky 1895–1968

Sergei Prokofiev 1891–1953

WaltzesOp.34a No.1inA-flatMajor No.2inAminor

ScherzoNo.2inF-flatminorOp.31

FivePreludesOp.44

I.Lugubremanontoppolento

II.Lentoetranquillo

III.Allegroagitato

IV.AndanteSostenuto

V.Impetuoso

PianoSonataNo.6inAMajorOp.82

Allegromoderato

Allegretto

Tempodivalzer,lentissimo Vivace

BISON NOIR: MÚSICA CALLADA WITH SIRSTEPHEN HOUGH

WEDNESDAY22OCTOBER

9PM

Grotto,ContemporaryCalgary

SirStephenHough piano

Frederic Mompou

1893–1987

Músicacallada

I.Angelico

II.Lento

III.Placide

IV.Afflittoepenoso

V.(crochet=54)

VI.Lento

VII.Lento

VIII.Semplice

IX.Lento

X.Lento–cantabile

XI.Allegretto

XII.Lento

XIII.Tranquilo–trèscalme

XIV.Severo–sérieux

XV.Lento–plaintif

XVI.Calme

XVII.Lento

XVIII.Luminoso

IXX.Tranquilo

XX.Calme

XXI.Lento

XXII.Moltolentoetranquilo

XXIII.Calme,avecclarté

XXIV.Moderato

XXV.(crochet=100)

XXVI.Lento

XXVII.Lentomolto

XXVIII.Lento

PHILIPCHONG FLOWERBAR

OSCAR

THURSDAY 23OCTOBER

10:30AM

JackSingerConcertHall,WerklundCentre

FREECONCERT—JOINUSINPERSONORWATCHONLINE

SamanthaWhelanKotkas co-producer/co-writerandnarrator

ChrisAndrew composerandpiano

MarianneTrudel composerandpiano

PriscilleBukasa co-writerandnarrator

Karen Goerzen director

Sabrina Naz Com nescu choreographeranddance

Shemar Herbert dance

Oscar isapowerful,joy-filledperformancecelebratingthelifeand extraordinarytalent ofCanadianjazziconDr.OscarPeterson.Designedto inspirecuriosity,creativity,andculturalunderstanding,thistheatrical concertinvitesstudentstoexplorethemesofidentity,resilience,andthe powerofmusic.Thisworldpremiereexpands onthe storytoldinthebook

OscarLivesNextDoorbyBonnieFarmer, imagining Oscar’slifeafterillness and followinghispath fromagiftedyoungpianisttoaninternationalmusic legend.

Preston Pavlis Youthere Erik Olson IntheGarden

September25,2025—February15,2026

Curatedby KanikaAnand

WONDER LIVES ATSPARK!

Discoverhands-on science,planetarium shows, mind-blowing exhibits,and fun for curious minds of all ages.

OnlyatTELUSSparkScienceCentre.

(left) PrestonPavlis. White tree, 2025. CourtesyoftheartistandBradleyErtaskiran,Montreal. (right) ErikOlson. The Fox, 2021.

FINALSI

THURSDAY 23OCTOBER

7PM

JackSingerConcertHall,WerklundCentre

IsidoreStringQuartet

AdrianSteel violin

PhoenixAvalon violin

DevinMoore viola

JoshuaMcClendon cello

ThreeFinalists

EachFinalistperformsachambermusicrecitalfeaturingapianoquintet from theselectionbelow.TheFinalsProgramwillbeavailableateach Finalsperformance,andincludenamesofFinalistsandfurtherdetails abouteachprogram.

Programoptions:

JohannesBrahmsPianoQuintetinFminorOp.34

AntonínDvořák

CésarFranck

PianoQuintetinAMajorOp.81

PianoQuintetinFminorOp.14

RobertSchumannPianoQuintetinE-flatMajorOp.44

ChamberselectionsifchosenasaFinalist:

ÁdámBalogh

CésarFranck

EliaCecino

PianoQuintetinFminorOp.14

RobertSchumannPianoQuintetinE-flatMajorOp.44

CarterJohnson

JohannesBrahmsPianoQuintetinFminorOp.34

GiorgioLazzari

JohannesBrahmsPianoQuintetinFminorOp.34

SandroNebieridze

RobertSchumannPianoQuintetinE-flatMajorOp.44

ChaeyoungPark

CésarFranck

ÉlisabethPion

CésarFranck

AnastasiaVorotnaya

AntonínDvořák

DerekWang

PianoQuintetinFminorOp.14

PianoQuintetinFminorOp.14

Piano QuintetinAMajorOp.81

JohannesBrahmsPianoQuintetinFminorOp.34

YuanfanYang

AntonínDvořák

Piano QuintetinAMajorOp.81

FINALS II

FRIDAY24OCTOBER

7PM

JackSingerConcertHall,WerklundCentre

CalgaryPhilharmonicOrchestra

EliasGrandy conductor

ThreeFinalists

EachFinalistperformsaconcerto,composedafter1791,withfullorchestra. The FinalsProgramwillbeavailableateachFinalsperformance,and includenamesofFinalistsandfurtherdetailsabouteachprogram.

ConcertoselectionsifchosenasaFinalist:

ÁdámBalogh

JohannesBrahmsPianoConcertoNo.2inB-flatMajorOp.83

EliaCecino

PyotrIlyichTchaikovskyPianoConcertoNo.1inB-flatminorOp.23

CarterJohnson

SergeiProkofiev

GiorgioLazzari

PianoConcertoNo.2inGminorOp.16

JohannesBrahmsPianoConcertoNo.1inDminorOp.15

SandroNebieridze

SergeiRachmaninoffPianoConcertoNo.3inDminorOp.30

ChaeyoungPark

PyotrIlyichTchaikovskyPianoConcertoNo.1inB-flatminorOp.23

ÉlisabethPion

SergeiProkofiev

AnastasiaVorotnaya

PianoConcertoNo.3inCMajorOp.26

JohannesBrahmsPianoConcertoNo.2inB-flatMajorOp.83

DerekWang

PyotrIlyichTchaikovskyPianoConcertoNo.1inB-flatminorOp.23

YuanfanYang

SergeiRachmaninoffPianoConcertoNo.3inDminorOp.30

AWARDSSHOW

FRIDAY24OCTOBER

FOLLOWINGFINALSII

JackSingerConcertHall,WerklundCentre

KatherineDuncan host

PaoloPietropaolo host

WhiletheJurydeliberatesfollowingFinalsII,joinusinthelobby foracelebrationofthecollaborativeartistrythroughouttheFinals. AssoonastheJuryhasmadetheirdecision,youwillbeinvitedback intotheJackSingerConcertHallfortheexcitingannouncementof the2025HonensGoldLaureate.

A VOICETHATDARES, CONNECTS, AND CARRIES MUSICINTOTHEWORLD.

DiscovertheCompleteArtist takesyouinsidethe heartofHonens—whereartistryunfoldsandthe worldlistens.

Throughaseriesofexquisitelycraftedminiatureworlds,thefilmfollows thetransformativejourneyofapianist:fromthefirstsparkofcuriosity, throughyearsoflearningandexploration,tothemomenttheytakethe globalstage.

Competitors

ÁDÁMBALOGH

Age:28

Birthplace:Pécs,Hungary

Studiedin:Budapest,HungaryandHannover,Germany

Residesin:Budapest,Hungary

ÁdámBalogh(adamBAH-log)isthrilledtoreturntoCalgaryafterparticipating inthelastHonensCompetitionin2022andtakingtheprizefor BestPerformanceoftheCommissionedWork.

HegrewupinthesmalltownofPécsinsouthernHungarywherehisparents playedintheorchestraandÁdámoftenranaroundbackstage.Atsix,he startedpiano.At13,hemoved(onhisown)toBudapesttostudyattheLiszt AcademyofMusic.

Ádámprogressedeasilybutrealizedifhewasgoingtobeamusician,heneeded tocommitfullytoalifeofstudyandperformance.Hewasequallypassionate abouttennisandsoccerbutquitsportstofocusonpiano.Musicfedallpartsof hisbeing—physical,mental,andemotional.Herealizedhecouldn’tlivewithoutit.

FromBudapest,ÁdámmovedtoHannoverseekingamoreopencultural world.Whenthepandemicnixedhisperformanceopportunitiesthere,he returnedtoHungaryforconcertsandnowcombinesplayingwithteaching attheLisztAcademy.

He’swonprizesatanumberofcompetitionsandthrivesonmeetingother young pianists and hearing them perform. He uses the competitiveprocess asawaytoholdhimselftoevenhigherstandards. Andhowdoeshedealwithnerves?

“Mystrategyistohavenostrategy,”hesays.“Itrytobewellpreparedand wellrestedbeforeaconcert.IfIfeelstressed,Itrytodosomethingtotake mymindoffit,likego-karting.Igetdeeplyimmersedinthecurrentmoment andcan’tdriftintonegativethoughts.Workswellforme.”

Education

FranzLisztAcademy

Hungary

HannoverHochschule

Germany

CareerHighlights

FifthprizeattheSydneyInternationalPianoCompetition BestPerformanceoftheCommissionedWorkatthe HonensInternationalPianoCompetition SecondprizeattheBartókWorldCompetition Albumrelease Reminiscence

ELIACECINO

Age:24

Birthplace:Treviso,Italy

Studiedin:CesenaandStradella,Italy

Residesin:Venice,Italy

WhenEliaCecino(eh-LEE-uhsheh-SHE-no)startedplayingthepiano atagenine,hewasmatureenoughtoknowthatdiligentpracticeledto improvement.Sinceclassicalmusicwasn’tpartoffamilylifegrowingup inTreviso,atownnearVenice,hisexposurecamefromlisteningtoother studentsplayingadvancedrepertoire.Itwasaworldhelongedtobepartof.

Eliacommittedtobecomingaconcertpianistat18afterwinninga competitionforthebestgraduatesofItalianconservatories.He’sgoneonto winseveralinternationalmusiccompetitionsandreleasethreerecordings.

“Beingamusicianmeansbeingtheintermediarybetweenthecomposer andtheaudience,”hesays.“Youcanspeaktopeopleofanybackground. Itthenbecomesasocialrole,toinspireandinfluencepeople.”

EliahasperformedextensivelyinEuropeandAmerica, and last year,he touredthroughoutIndia.

“Musichasanunparalleledabilitytobypassintellectualbarriersand directlytouchourfeelingsandmemoriesandcanevencreatephysical sensations.Musichastheabilitytobuildbridgesbetweenpeople.”

Helovestheexperienceofplayingwithanorchestra—beingatthecentre ofanincrediblesoundforce,whileremaininganintegralpartofit.

“Thesoloistneedstobeabletoleadaswellastointegrate,anexperience thatteachesyoutolisten,tointuittheperceptionthatothers have of you.” Andifhehadtochooseanothercareer?“Imightpursueafieldthatstill involvesbothcreativityandproblem-solving,perhapsarchitecturedueto theintricatesystemsandstructuredcreativityinvolved.”

CARTERJOHNSON

Age:29

Birthplace:CampbellRiver,Canada

Studiedin:Vancouver,Canada;andNewYorkCityandNewHaven,UnitedStates Residesin:NewHaven,UnitedStates

Therewasn’tastrongmusicaltraditioninthefamilywhenCarterJohnson (KAR-terJON-sən)grewupinCampbellRiver,asmalltownonVancouver Island.Butwithencouragementfromhisgrandmother,hisparentsenrolled himinpianolessonswhenhewasfiveandCarterfellinlovewithmaking music.Byageseven,heknewhewantedtobeaconcertpianist.

CarterventuredtotheUniversityofBritishColumbiainVancouverforhis undergrad,givinghimtheopportunitytolivewithhisdairy-farmingextended family,andthenmigratedtoTheJuilliardSchoolforamaster’s(music)andYale foranadditionalmaster’s(musicalarts)anddoctorate(musicalarts).

CartercurrentlylivesinConnecticutwithhiswife,Hannah,andtheirsons, PrestonandAmbrose.Inthepastfewyears,he’sparticipatedinanumberof internationalcompetitions,builtanactiveconcertcareer,andenjoysteaching.

“Ioftencatch myselfnotpracticinginthewayItellmystudentsto,”hesays, “andthenIgettobenefitfrommyownadvice!”

Indealingwiththestressofacompetition,hetriesto“thinkonlywhen necessary,andredirectthisenergyintodelightinginthemusic.”Healso keepshimselfasbusyaspossibleonthedayofaperformance,particularly withpracticeandscorestudy,andtriesto“spineverynegativethoughtinto apositiveone.”Inliveperformance,helovestherisk,thevulnerability,and thedirectlineofcommunicationhecreateswithanaudience.

Oneofhisfavouritepiecesofadviceasamusician?“Enjoyeverynote.”

Education

YaleSchoolofMusic

US TheJuilliardSchool

US UniversityofBritishColumbia

Canada

CareerHighlights

FinalistattheVanCliburnInternationalCompetition

FirstprizeandchambermusicprizeattheDublinInternational PianoCompetition

SecondprizeandcommissionedworkprizeattheGina BachauerInternationalCompetition FirstprizeattheHauts-de-FranceInternationalCompetition RegularchambermusicpartnerofAngelaHewitt

GIORGIOLAZZARI

Age:25

Birthplace:Bergamo,Italy

Studiedin:Bergamo,ItalyandBerlin,Germany

Residesin:Berlin,Germany

WhenGiorgioLazzari(JOR-johLATTS-ah-ree)wasgrowingupinBergamo, Italy,theolduprightpianointhelivingroomheldamagneticattraction. Hewasfascinatedbyitssoundaswellasthemechanicsofhowthehammers, pedals,anddampersworked.ToGiorgio,thepianowas(andstillis)a hypnoticandbeautifulmachine,fullofsecretswaitingtobediscovered.

Asachildheoftenpretendedtoconductthemusichewaslisteningto. OnSundayafternoonshe’dgototheoperawithhisgrandmother.There, hediscoveredthepowerofdramaticstorytellingthroughmusic.

Giorgiobeganlessonsatthelocalconservatoryandoftenrushedthrough assignments,sohe’dhavetimetosight-readnew(oftenunassigned)music, which wasmuch more exciting. He earned hisbachelor’sandmaster’sdegrees inBergamobeforemovingtoBerlinforadvancedstudiesafewyearsago.

Helovesbeingimmersedinmusic—adisciplinethatdemandsdepth,honesty, andcuriosity.Hesays,“ithelpsmestriveforthebestversionofmyself.”

Andifnotamusician,“IthinkI’dbeascubadivingguide,”hesays.“The underwaterworldhasalwaysbeenaninterestofmine.Itoffersanescape, aplaceofpeaceandintrospection.

“OnethingI’velearnedfromfreedivingistheimportanceofbreathing. Conscious,deepbreathingcanhavearealimpactonhowyoufacestressful situations,includingwhenyou’reontheconcertstage.Everyconcertis uniqueandunrepeatable.Deepbreathinghelpsmebeinthemomentwith whatfeelslikesomethingalive,shapedbythespace,thepeople,theenergy ofthatspecificmoment.”

Education ConservatorioGaetano

DonizettidiBergamo

Italy

InternationaleMusikakademie Liechtenstein

HochschulefürMusik

HannsEisler

Germany

CareerHighlights

ThirdprizeandBestInterpretationofaContemporaryPiece attheInternationalTelekomBeethovenCompetition FirstprizeandtwospecialprizesattheRobertSchumannCompetition DebutsatKlavier-FestivalRuhr,BeethovenfestBonn,and SchumannfestDüsseldorf

FirstprizeatthePremioGiovanniGuglielmowithDuoManvati RecipientofthePremioRoscini-PadalinoAwardfrom FondazionePerugiaMusicaClassica

SANDRONEBIERIDZE

Age:24

Birthplace:Tbilisi,Georgia

Studiedin:Munich,GermanyandImola,Italy

Residesin:Munich,Germany

FortheGeorgianpianistSandroNebieridze(sandroneh-Beer’reed-zeh),live performanceisthe“healthiestadrenalineaddiction”ever.

“Onstage,”hesays,“nothingiscertain,exceptenjoyingthethrillandinviting theaudienceforthejourney—andthatisexactlywhatmakesitsobeautiful.”

SandrowasborninTbilisi,“themostbeautifulcitythatI’veeverbeento”with itsvividcolours,exoticaromas,warmsun,lovingpeople,incrediblydelicious cuisine, and a diverseculturalmix.HegrewuplisteningtoJohannSebastian Bach,WolfgangAmadeus Mozart,GiuseppeVerdi,Ludwig vanBeethoven, JellyRollMorton,OscarPeterson,JerryLeeLewis,andmanyothers.

Attheageoftwo,wheneveranoperabroadcastbegan,he’dgrabarandom book,standinfrontoftheTVand“conduct”.Heknewalmosteverymajor operaofGiuseppeVerdibyheartattheageofthree,showedaninterestin pianoatfour,startedlessonsatfive,andwascomposingatnine.

Forhim,thepianoislikeaportableorchestra.Whilehe’sdreamedofbecominga conductor,hebelievesmasteryofthekeyboardissimilartoleadinganorchestra.

“Itisamasteryofoneself,masteryofone’sabilitytocondenseconcepts,ideas, and an unimaginable number of coloursandemotionsintoastorythatcanbe toldwith88keys.Beingamusicianisajobandalifestyleatthesametime.”

NowlivinginMunich,Sandroenjoysawholeworldoutsidemusicand haspublishedabookofpoetry.He’salsowrittentwopianoconcertosand looksforwardtopremiering Iggy, acontemporaryGeorgianballetbasedon DjemalKarchkadze’snovelofthesamename.

Education

V.SaradjishviliTbilisiState Conservatory

Georgia HochschulefürMusikund Theater

Germany

FondazioneAccademia

InternazionalediImola

Italy

CareerHighlights

SecondprizeattheFerruccioBusoniInternationalPianoCompetition AlbumreleasesonHarmoniaMundiandGenuinClassics

Firstprize at the GrandPianoCompetition

SecondprizeattheKissingerKlavierOlymp

Scenesfromhischamberballet InkRain premieredatthe KonzerthausBerlin

CHAEYOUNGPARK

Age:28

Birthplace:Yeouido,SouthKorea

Studiedin:NewYorkCity,UnitedStates

Residesin:NewYorkCity,UnitedStates

WhenChaeyoungPark(SHAY-youngPark)wasgrowingupinSouthKorea, classicalmusicwasthesoundtrackforlongcarrideswithherparents.When hergrandmothergavethefamilyapianotoenhancethelivingroomdecor, itquicklybecameasourceoffascinationforChaeyoung.

Shestartedpianolessonsatagesixandwassoonexpectedbyherteachers topracticeseveralhoursaday.Tantrumsandtearsensued.Herparents assuredhershecouldstopatanytimeandthatthey’dsupporthernomatter what.Chaeyoungkeptpracticing.

Whenherchildhoodteachersaidshehadthepotentialtobecomeaconcert pianist,herfathermoved the family to Kansassoshecouldpursuea musicaleducationintheUnitedStates.Shewas10,didn’tspeakEnglish, andhadnoideahowtonavigatea cultureon the opposite side oftheworld. Musicbecameherlanguageandheranchor.

At18,shemovedtoNewYorkCitytostudyatTheJuilliardSchool.During college,achambermusicrehearsalleftherunexpectedlyintears,notfrom frustration,butfromjoy.Itwasthefirsttimeshefeltcompletelyunderstood throughmusic.Thatmomentshiftedhowshethoughtaboutperformance: notasaquestforperfection,butrather,connection.

NowbasedinNewYorkCity,Chaeyoungplaysbecauseshestillchasesthat feelingofconnection—ofbeingfully“init”withothers.Sheperformssolo andchambermusic,ofteninintimatesettings,anddreamsofstartinga festivalcentredaroundmusic,community,andgoodfood.

TheJuilliardSchool US

FirstprizeattheYoungConcertArtistsSusanWadsworth InternationalAuditions FinalistattheArthurRubinsteinInternationalMasterPiano Competition FirstprizeattheHiltonHeadInternationalPianoCompetition SolodebutattheKennedyCenter DebutwithcellistZlatomirFungattheCelebritySeriesofBoston

ÉLISABETH PION

Age:29

Birthplace:Saint-Hyacinthe,Canada

Studiedin:Pinerolo,Italy;London,UnitedKingdom;andMontréal,Canada

Residesin:London,UnitedKingdom

Notlongago,ÉlisabethPion(ɪˈlɪzəbəth Pee-on)finishedarehearsalofthe MauriceRavelPianoConcertowiththeEdmontonSymphonyOrchestraand invitedtheplayerstojoinherforaTaiChisessionaftertheperformance. She’sbeenstudyingTaiChiforafewyears—adisciplinethathelpsherfeel groundedandstrengthenstheinnercompassthatguidesbothherdailylife andherpreparationforthestage.

Élisabethbeganplayingthepianoatagefiveinahouseholdfilledwith music.Shefeltanintuitivephysicalrelationshiptothekeyboardandcould playforhoursonend.Shelovedscience,literature,andphilosophy,but decidedat19topursueacareerinmusic.

AfterstudyinginMontréal,shemovedtoLondon,UKforadvancedtraining, whichincludedaclassonimprovisation.Itwasabsolutelyterrifyingatfirst, butshewassooncraftingcadenzasandevenherowncompositions.

Élisabethrevelsinthesoundofthepiano,thepossibilityofintricate polyphony,itsqualitiesofbeingbothasingingandapercussiveinstrument. Shebelievesthepianospeakstopeoplefrom all walksoflife,regardlessof theirmusicalpreferences.

“Performance,”shesays,“isawayofsharingadeepconnectionwith othersinrealtime,envelopedinaheightenedsenseofconsciousness,of transcendencethroughart.”

Asforcompetitions,Élisabethenjoystherigorouspreparationandendless searchforthenextlevelofcomprehensionandcraftsmanship.Evenwhen she’sbeeneliminatedearlyon,she’smadethemostofitthroughlearning newrepertoire,forgingnewfriendships,anddiscoveringnewplaces.

Education

GuildhallSchoolofMusic andDrama

UK

GabrielaMonteroPiano LabO’Academy

Accademiadimusicadi Pinerolo Italy

CareerHighlights

Albumreleasesof Amadeus&l’Impératrice withtheArion OrchestreBaroqueandasolopianoalbumonATMAClassique DebutrecitalatWigmoreHall BitaCattelanAwardforPhilanthropicEngagementatthe ConcoursinternationaldeMontréal SecondprizeattheBlancaUribeInternationalPianoCompetition Revelation2024-2025fromRadio-Canada/CBC

ANASTASIAVOROTNAYA

Age:30

Birthplace:Togliatti,Russia

Studiedin:Moscow,Russia;Madrid,Spain;Como,Italy;andKansasCity,UnitedStates Residesin:Madrid,Spain

AnastasiaVorotnaya(ah-nuh-stuh-SEE-yuhvah-ROHT-nah-yah)recalls havingawildandmischievouschildhoodgrowingupinasmallcityeastof Moscow.Sherollerbladedwithabandon,playedfootballwiththeboys,and lovedroaringupanddownakeyboard.

Ateight,AnastasiaandhermothermovedtoMoscowsoshecouldstudy attheConservatory.At17,shemovedtoMadrid,alone,withoutspeakinga wordofEnglishorSpanish.

Thepianowasaconstantandreassuringcompanion.

“Ilovetouchingandcaressingthepianoasifitwerealivingbeing,”she says,“because,inmanyways,ittrulyis.ItfeelsasthoughIopenmysoulto thepianoinawayIneverhaveandneverwillwithanyoneelse.”

She’salsofascinatedwiththeworldofmedicineandconsidereditan alternativecareertomusic.Duringthepandemiclockdowns,whenthe futureofliveperformancewasuncertain,shepreparedformedicalschool entranceexams,studyingsixtosevenhoursaday.

Butthenconcertsreturned,borderslifted,andAnastasiafoundherselfata crossroads:medicineormusic.

“WhenIimaginedalifewithoutthepiano,withonlyascalpelinhand,the choicewassuddenlyclear.Musicis,andalwayswillbe,mygreatestlove.”

Asforcompetitions?“Theycanbebothrewardingandpainful—but regardlessof theoutcome,Ihaveneverviewedtheseeventsassomething thatdefinesmeormyworthasa musician. Iseethemasepisodes,not verdicts.Art,forme,livesfarbeyondrankings.”

Education

EscuelaSuperiorde MúsicaReinaSofía Spain LakeComoPianoAcademy Italy ParkUniversity US

CareerHighlights

PerformancesattheRheingauMusicFestival,KlostersMusic Festival,andtheMenuhinMusicFestival GrandPrixattheConcertino-PragaCompetition AlbumreleaseonArtalinna PerformancewithOrquestadeCámaradelaEscuelaSuperior deMúsicaReinaSofíaattheAuditorioNacionalunderthe directionofAndrásSchiff

DEREKWANG

Age:27

Birthplace:Newton,UnitedStates

Studiedin:NewHavenandNewYorkCity,UnitedStates;Hannover,Germany

Residesin:NewYorkCity,UnitedStates

ThepianowasthelargestpieceoffurnitureinDerekWang’s(DerekWAY-ng) childhoodhomeinthesuburbsofBoston.Herecallsbeingdrawntoits keyboardwith“thatinfanturgetoknowbytouching,atfirstwithprodsand pounds,thenwithawkwardstrikes…thenlittlebylittlewiththebeginningsof thelovingtouch,confidentyetexploratory.”

Hisparents,bothBeijing-bornimmigrantstotheUnitedStates,wouldputon arecordingofLudwigvanBeethovensonatasatbedtime,ostensiblytoput himtosleep.“IwaskeptawakebytheslowmovementoftheAppassionata,” Dereksays.“Icanalmosttracemyideaoftonetothoseearliestimpressions ofmusicheardinthedarkandseemingtoconfideinyou.”

Fast-forwardsomeyears,andDerekisaCreativeEnterpriseFellowatThe JuilliardSchool,wherehecuratesandproducesinterdisciplinaryshows. Mostrecently,heledafulldayoffreeprogrammingentitledAPlacefor UstoinaugurateJuilliardStation,anewstreet-facingperformancespace, withmusicfromLeonardBernsteintoJuliusEastmantoTheloniousMonk, dancersontheBroadwaysidewalk,andanewworkadaptedfromtextsby urbantheoristJaneJacobs.

Onhisbucketlistaretwodifferentpilgrimages:“ToseeallthirtyMajor LeagueBaseballparks,andallofMarcChagall’sworksinstainedglass! ThoseChagallsremindmethatpiano-playingisalsoaboutthepossibilities ofnegativespace:aswithpanesofstainedglass,alldependsonthe readinessofthenotesforlighttopassthrough.”

YUANFANYANG

Age:28

Birthplace:Edinburgh,UnitedKingdom

Studiedin:ManchesterandLondon,UnitedKingdom

Residesin:Leeds,UnitedKingdom

YuanfanYang(YOO-ahn-fanYang)borninEdinburgh,discoveredapiano athisfriend’shousewhenhewassixyearsold.Heclimbedontothepiano stool,startedpickingoutnotesandrealisedhecoulddifferentiatepitchand rhythmand,eventually,makeuptunes.

Oncehestartedlessons,heandhispianowereinseparable.Helovedto improvise,progressedquickly,andjustknewthatthisiswhathewantedto dofortherestofhislife.“Thepiano,”hesays,“isanextensionofwhoIam.”

Yuanfanisalsoacommittedcomposer,withfourpianoconcertostohiscredit (thefirstwrittenwhenhewas17).He’sperformedhiscompositionsallover the world, and they’vebeenbroadcast and recordedfor commercialrelease. Hecontinuestoimproviseatallhisconcerts(usuallyencores),responding tosuggestedthemesandstylesfromtheaudience.

Yuanfanlovesthespontaneityofliveperformanceandthateveryaudience, everyhall,andeveryacousticcanrenderacompletelydifferentauraland emotionalexperience.Herecentlyplayedanarrangementof Peterand theWolf for500schoolchildrenaspartofanoutreachproject—apowerful reminderofhowmusiccansparkimaginationandjoy,especiallyforyoung audiencesexperiencingitliveforthefirsttime.

“Ilove the idea of teamwork—coming together to create something truly astonishing,somethingmorepowerfulwithallofustogether.Whetherthat isinchambermusic,orwithanorchestraplayingapianoconcerto.There’s nothingquitelikeit.”

FirstprizeattheUKInternationalPianoOpenCompetition FirstprizeandaudienceprizeattheCasagrandeInternational PianoCompetition

SecondprizeattheHongKongInternationalPianoCompetition

PIANOAT THEPHIL.

Stewart Goodyear plays CamilleSaint-Saëns'

Piano Concerto No.5

atRomanticRavel

13+14 February 2026

Sophia Liuplays

FrédéricChopin's

Piano Concerto No.2

atHansGrafReturns: AMidsummerNight'sDream

5+ 6 June 2026

Collaborators

PhilipChiu livestreamhost

Winnerofthe2023JUNOAwardforSoloClassical AlbumoftheYear,CanadianpianistPhilipChiuis acclaimedforhispianisticbrilliance,vividstorytelling, andastagepresencedefinedbyopenness,authenticity, andconnection.Describedas“apianist-painterwho transformseachmusicalideaintoabeautifularrayofcolours”(LaPresse), hestandsamongCanada’sleadingmusicians.Aregularguesthoston CBCMusic,Philipbringshisinsightandwarmthtonationalaudiences, deepeninghismissiontobuildbridgesthroughmusic.

Heperformsextensivelyasasoloistandchambermusician,with appearancesinmajorvenuesacrossCanada,aswellasinFrance,Japan, andtheUnitedStates.HischamberpartnershaveincludedJamesEhnes, EmmanuelPahud,RégisPasquier,NoahBendix-Balgley,BomsoriKim, JohannesMoser,andtheNewOrfordStringQuartet;healsosharesa longstandingviolin-pianoduowithJonathanCrow.Heisaveterantouring artistwithPrairieDebut,JeunessesMusicalesCanada,andDebutAtlantic, havingcompleted14nationaltourswiththeirsupport.

HisongoingsolorecordingtrilogywithATMAClassique(thefirstofwhich, Fables,earnedthe2023JUNOAward)featuresworksbyBarbaraAssiginaak andAlicePingYeeHoindialoguewithRavelandDebussy.

CarmenMorin livestreamhost

CarmenMorinisanaward-winningconcertpianist, educator,andartsentrepreneur.Beginningherstudies withDanMorin,shemadeherorchestraldebutatage10 beforetouringonbehalfoftheCanadianEmbassy.She continuedheradvancedstudieswithDmitryNesterov (1992HonensLaureate)andMarilynEngle,andlaterwonfirstprizeatthe CoimbraWorldPianoDuoCompetitioninPortugal.Shewasthefirstteacher inWesternCanadatobeinductedintotheSteinway&SonsTeacherHallof FameinNewYorkCity.

FollowingherfacultypositionattheMountRoyalUniversityConservatory, shefoundedoneofCalgary’slargestprivatemusicschools,MorinMusic Studio,in2013.

Asanartsentrepreneur,shereceivedtheHorizonAlumniAchievement AwardfromMountRoyalUniversityin2016and,in2021,waschosenas oneof AvenueMagazine’sTop40Under40inCalgary. Today,Carmenextendsherperformance-basedexpertiseasaconsultant andspeaker,sharingtheuniqueinsightsofprofessionalmusicaltraining withcorporateleadersthroughspecializedcorporatetrainingprograms thatfocusonbusinessperformanceandhuman-centeredsystems.Shealso servesontheHonensBoardofDirectors.

ImanHabibi composer

Hailed as“a giant in talent,” (PentictonHerald)“whose technical mastery is matchedby his musical andcultural literacy,”(Hudson-HousatonicArts) Iman Habibi has been commissioned by the Boston Symphony, Philadelphia, Toronto Symphony, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras, with repeat performances from the NewYork Philharmonic, FestivalOrchestra of Lincoln Center, Philharmonia, Minnesota Orchestra, NewWorld and Pacific symphonies,andsymphonyorchestrasofPittsburgh,KansasCity,Milwaukee, Baltimore, and Montréal, toname a few.

Among hisrecognitions are a JUNOAward nomination in the Classical Composition of theYear category for Shāhān-nāmeh, and anAzrieli Music Prize. His portfolio of compositions includes dozens of commissions for orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles, soloists,and film. Iman earned his Doctor ofMusicalArts at the University of Michigan under the mentorship of professors Evan Chambers, Michael Daugherty, and Bright Sheng.

Asapianist,Iman’srecentappearancesincludeaperformanceofCamille Saint-Saëns’ CarnivaloftheAnimals withtheVancouverSymphonyOrchestra, aswellasthepremiereofhisconcertofortwopianosandorchestra, Amesha Spenta,withAnnArborCamerata.Hehasperformedhisown PianoConcerto withtheAtlanticMusicFestivalandPrinceGeorgeSymphonyOrchestras. Iman is well-known for his collaborations withhiswife,pianist Deborah Grimmett.The two formed a duo in 2010, Piano Pinnacle, which wonfirst prize at the UnitedStatesInternational Duo Piano Competition.

RachelMercer cello

Describedasa“purechambermusician”(Globeand Mail)creating“momentsofpuremagic”(TorontoStar), CanadiancellistRachelMercerhasappearedasasoloist andchamber musician across fi vecontinents.

GrandPrizewinnerofthe2001Vriendenkrans Competition(Amsterdam),RachelisPrincipalCellooftheNationalArts CentreOrchestra(Ottawa)andCo-Artistic Director of the“5attheFirst” ChamberMusicSeries(Hamilton).Withafirstloveofchambermusic,she regularlycollaborateswithherlongtimeduopartner,pianistAngelaPark, andwascellistofJUNOAwardwinningpianoquartetEnsembleMade InCanada,theAYRTrio,andtheAvivQuartet.

AnadvocatefornewCanadianmusic,shehascommissionedand premieredcelloconcertibyStewartGoodyearandKevinLau,aswell assoloandchamberworksbyVivianFung,AndrewDowning,AliceHo, AbigailRichardson-Schulte,JohnBurge,andJocelynMorlock.Among others,RachelreleasedacriticallyacclaimedalbumofJohannSebastian Bach’s CelloSuites onPipistrelleinMarch2014,recordedonthe1696 BonjourStradivariusCellofromtheCanadaCouncilfortheArtsMusical InstrumentBank.Rachelplaysa17thcenturycellofromnorthernItaly.

HeatherEdwards HonensHonoursawardrecipient

BornandraisedinCalgary,HeatherEdwardsearned amaster’sdegreeinpoliticalscienceandworkedfor 12yearsinOttawaasaDirectorofCommunications (Revenue,FisheriesandOceans,Energy)underthe governmentofTheRightHonourableJeanChrétien. Sheisaco-authorandeditorandhasproducedseveralaward-winningarts documentaries.SheisapartneratAdaraVentureCapitalwhosefocusis investinginwesternCanadianlife-sciencestartups.Heatherworksclosely withnonprofitorganizationsofallkindsandcurrentlyrunsamajorprivate foundationthat,inpart,fostersexcellenceandinnovationinmusicandthe artsthroughcollaborativeevents.

HeatherhasservedontheboardofHonensandtheCalgaryHumane Society,andcurrentlysitsontheNationalArtsCentreBoardofTrustees (Ottawa)andtheBoardoftheRoyalConservatoryofMusic(Toronto).

HeatherlivesinCalgaryandisaproudsinglemomtoa19-year-oldson, Adam,andadog,Dash.Thethreespendmanyoftheirdaysrockclimbing andenjoyingtheoutdoors.

HelenGraham HonensHonoursawardrecipient

HelenGrahamgrewupinVancouverwhereherparents passionatelysupportedtheircommunity,givingtheirtime andtreasure,aswellasregularlyopeningtheirhome tofundraisingeventsinsupportoftheartsandother charitableorganizations.

Inspiredbyherparents’generosity,Heleneventuallyforgedherownpathin philanthropy.Formanyyears,shehassupportedseveralorganizationsclose toherheartincludingtheBanffCentre,theRotaryClubofCalgary, theSchoolofCreativeandPerformingArts,theHotchkissBrainInstitute ofthe CummingSchoolofMedicineattheUniversityofCalgary,and, withcharacteristicdiscernmentandenthusiasm,theHonensInternational PianoCompetition.

Helendelightsinhercapacitytoelevatesuchmeaningfulpursuitsinthecity shelovesandisdeeplygratefultocelebratethesuccessofHonens.

ClariceEvansSiebens HonensHonoursawardrecipient

ClariceEvansSiebenswasborninsouthernAlbertaduring theheightofthedepressionandraisedonthefamilyfarm inParkland.Theyoungestoftworemarkabledaughters, Clariceinheritedherwitandstorytellingabilitiesfromher Welshfather,andhercuriosityandloveoflearningfrom herNorwegianmother.Hermother’smottowas:“Educateadaughterand youeducatethenextgeneration.”Claricehastakenthatwithherandhas spentherlifequietlypayingitforward.

ClariceattendedtheUniversitiesofAlbertaandTorontoandreceivedaBachelor ofEducation.ShelatertaughtfortheCalgaryBoardofEducation,married,and raisedthreechildren.Sheisnowtheproudgrandmotherofeight.

In1953,Claricewasoneof50girlschosenfromacrossCanadabytheWeston familytoattendQueenElizabethII’scoronation.Claricehasrecentlyreceived theKingCharlesIIICoronationMedalandisfeaturedinthePBSdocumentary CoronationGirls

TheatrehasbeenClarice’slifelongpassion.Throughouthercareerasanactor, sheperformedawidevarietyofrolesandhasbeenastalwartsupporterofthe arts.In2006,shereceivedtheHarryandMarthaCohenAwardforsustained andsignificantcontributiontotheatreinCalgary.Clariceisadedicated supporterof HonensandwashonouredtonarrateintwoFestivalseason performanceswithArtemYasynskyyin2016andtheMiróQuartetin2017.

IlliaOvcharenko piano

Winnerofthe2022HonensInternationalPiano Competition,UkrainianpianistIlliaOvcharenkohastaken thepianoworldbystorm.Hehasbeenawardedprizesat morethan20othercompetitionsthroughouttheworld includingFirstPrizeatKissingerKlavierOlympandNew YorkInternationalCompetition,andSecondPrizeatHiltonHeadInternational Competition.HewasaClasseekAmbassadorforthe2024/2025season.

EmbodyingHonens’philosophyoftheCompleteArtist,Illiahasbeen praisedforhistechnicalmastery,perseveranceagainstadversity,anda uniqueintellectualandemotionalunderstandingofmusicaltext.Hehas appearedasasoloistwithorchestrasandperformedinprominentrecital venuesandfestivalsaroundtheglobetogreatacclaim.

BorninUkrainetoacomputerengineermotherandanathleteandcoach father,Illiadiscoveredtheunattendeduprightpianosittinginacornerof hishouseatatenderage.Attheageofsix,heattendedaperformanceof PyotrIlyichTchaikovsky’s PianoConcertoNo.1;aftertheconcert,Illiatold hismotherhewantedtobeapianistwhenhegrewupandbeganhisformal musicaltuition.Successrapidlyfollowed.Hemadehisconcertdebutatthe NationalPhilharmonicHallof Ukraineatthe age of 12beforemovingto KievtoattendtheKyivLysenkoSateMusicLyceumforgiftedchildren. Heiscurrentlypursuingamaster’sdegreeinHannover.

SirStephenHough mentor-in-residence

Namedby TheEconomist asoneofTwentyLiving Polymaths,StephenHoughcombinesadistinguished careerasapianistandalongstandinginternationalcareer withthoseofcomposerandwriter.

Inacareerspanning 40years,Stephenhasplayedsolo recitalsandconcertoswithleadingorchestrasatmajorconcerthallsand festivalsacrossfivecontinents.Hewasthefirstclassicalperformertobe givenaMacArthurFellowship.In2022,aspartoftheQueen’sBirthday Honours,StephenbecamethefirstBritish-bornpianistsince1977tobe awardedaKnighthoodforServicestoMusic.

Asacomposer,hehaswrittenextensivelyforthevoiceandthepiano. Stephen’sownpianoconcerto, TheWorldofYesterday,receiveditsworld premierein2024andhismostrecentsongcycle, SongsofLoveandLoss, premieredin2023.

Anotedwriter,hehascontributedarticlesfor TheNewYorkTimes,the Guardian, TheTimes, Gramophone,and BBCMusicMagazine,andhewrote ablogfor TheTelegraph forsevenyearswhichbecameoneofthemost influentialforumsforculturaldiscussion.Hehaspublishedfourbooks: TheBibleasPrayer; TheFinalRetreat (novel); RoughIdeas:Reflectionson MusicandMore (bookofessays); Enough: ScenesfromChildhood (memoir).

StephenresidesinLondonwhereheisanHonoraryFellowofCambridge University’sGirtonCollegeandholdstheInternationalChairofPiano Studiesathisalmamater,theRoyalNorthernCollegeinManchester.Heis alsoamemberofthefacultyatTheJuilliardSchool.

ChrisAndrew Oscar composerandpiano

ChrisAndrewisacelebratedCanadianjazzpianistand composer,knownforhisvirtuosictalentandunwavering passionformusic.Withacareerspanningover36years, hehasearnedmultipleaccolades,includingaCBCGalaxie RisingStarAward.AsSectionHeadforPianoatGrant MacEwanUniversity,Chrisshapesthenextgenerationofmusicaltalent.

PriscilleBukasa Oscar writerandnarrator

PriscilleBukasa,aCalgary-basedspokenwordartistand writer,drawsinspirationfromherrootsintheDemocratic RepublicofCongo,infusingherworkwiththerichness ofherupbringingandculture.Withover14yearsof captivatingperformances,Priscille’sdynamicpresence hasgraceddiversestages,fromconferencestomarketingcampaigns.As ateachingartist,sheleadspoetryworkshopsacrossallgradelevelsand servesasanartfacilitatorattheWerklundCentre.Priscilleisalsoaformer memberoftheCulturalInstigator,supportingartistsinfosteringequity, diversity,andinclusionthroughimpactfulprojectsconfrontingsocialissues.

KarenGoerzen Oscar director

KarenGoerzenhasbeeninvolvedintheatreproduction onewayoranotherfor50years,throughteachinghigh schoolandatRedDeerCollege,andleadingallages workshops.ThroughsetandlightingdesignforArtstrek, TheatreAlberta,Calgaryschoolboards,andevena ‘creativityforweddingdesigners’workshop,Karenhasplayedinplaysfor allofheradultlife.

ShemarHerbert Oscar dance

ShemarHerbert,borninCalgarywithJamaicanand Nevisianheritage,grewupinamusicalenvironmentthat sparkedhislovefordance.Beginningformaltraining atageninewithDiversityPerformingArtsClub,hehas sincemasteredmultiplestyles,trainedunderacclaimed mentors,collaboratedwithinternationalartists,wontopcompetitions,and performedacrossCalgary,includingwithDecidedlyJazzDanceworks.Today, Shemarcontinuestoexpandhischoreographicvoicewhilehonouringthe culturesthatshapeddanceforfuturegenerations.

SabrinaNazCom nescu Oscar choreographyanddance

SabrinaNazComănescu,adynamoCanadiandancer, blendsCaribbeanandAmericanmovementtraditions withintheAfricandiaspora.Foroveradecade,she’s enrichedwesternCanada’sdancesceneasperformer, choreographer,filmmaker,andteacher,sharingherart internationally.GuidedbySankofa,shecelebratesculturaldiversityand thrivesinher10thseasonwithDecidedlyJazzDanceworks.

MarianneTrudel Oscar composerandpiano

MarianneTrudel,award-winningpianist,composer,and arranger,isadynamicforceinCanada’smusicscene. Herpoeticyetboldcreationsspansolotoorchestral works,captivatingaudiencesin13countries.Prolific andpassionate,shehasreleased10acclaimedalbums, collaboratedinternationally,andinspiresstudentsatMcGillUniversityand CégepdeSaint-Laurent.

SamanthaWhelanKotkas Oscar writerandnarrator

SamanthaWhelanKotkas,anaward-winningproducer, storyteller,andtrumpetplayer,createsuniqueeducational experiencesblendingmusicandstorytelling.She hasworkedwithrenownedCanadiancomposersand organizations,includingtheNationalArtsCentreand theCalgaryPhilharmonicOrchestra.Throughinnovativeproductionslike WanderingwithWonder,sheengagesyoungaudiencesincreativelearning, fosteringadeeperappreciationfortheartsandconnectingthemtodiverse culturalnarrativesandmusicaltraditions.

IsidoreStringQuartet

Winnersofa2023AveryFisherCareerGrant and the 14thBanffInternationalStringQuartet Competitionin2022,theNewYorkCity-based IsidoreStringQuartetwasformedin2019witha visiontorevisit,rediscover,andreinvigoratethe repertoire.TheIsidoreQuartetisheavilyinfluencedbytheJuilliardString Quartetandtheideaof“approachingtheestablishedasifitwerebrandnew, andthenewasifitwerefirmlyestablished.”

Bothonstageandoutsidetheconcerthall,theIsidoreQuartetisdeeplyinvested inconnectingwithyouthandelderlypopulations,andwithmarginalized communitieswhootherwisehavelimitedaccesstohigh-qualitylivemusic performance.Theyapproachmusicasa“playground”andattempttobreakdown barrierstoencouragecollaborationandcreativity.ThenameIsidorerecognizesthe ensemble’s musical connection to the JuilliardQuartet:oneofthatgroup’searly memberswaslegendaryviolinistIsidoreCohen.Additionally,itacknowledgesa sharedaffectionforacertainlibation—legendhasitaGreekmonknamedIsidore concoctedthefirstgenuinevodkarecipefortheGrandDuchyofMoscow!

AdrianSteele violin PhoenixAvalon violin DevinMoore viola JoshuaMcClendon cello

CalgaryPhilharmonicOrchestra

Forsevendecades,theCalgaryPhilharmonic Orchestra hasbeenbringingcommunities togetherthroughthepowerofmusic.Apillar oftheCalgaryartssceneandoneofCanada’s mostcelebratedlivemusicensembles,the CalgaryPhilpresentsmorethan60concertsaseasonacrossawiderange ofprogramming—epicclassics,thrillingcollaborations,rockin’pops,family fun,andmuchmore.TheCalgaryPhilalsoengagesthousandsofchildren eachseasonthroughinnovativeandaccessibleeducationandoutreach initiatives.Inadditionto66full-timeorchestramusicians,theCalgaryPhil isoneoftwomajorsymphonyorchestrasinCanadawith itsown chorusof over140volunteersingers.Inatypicalseason,theCalgaryPhilwelcomes over100,000visitors,connectingaudiencestolivemusicexperiencesand servingthecityofCalgarybyfosteringcreativityandbelonging.

KarenKamensek | PrincipalGuestConductor

JulianeGallant | ResidentConductor& ArtisticAdvisor,Pops

FIRSTVIOLINS

DianaCohen |Concertmaster

JohnLowry | AssociateConcertmaster

DonovanSeidle |Assistant Concertmaster

EricAuerbach

JeongahChoi

EdmundChung

DanielleGreene

OlgaKotova

GenevieveMicheletti

MariavanderSloot

HojeanYoo

SECONDVIOLINS

LornaTsai*

StephanieSoltice-Johnson**

ErinBurkholder

JeremyGabbert

HyewonGrillet-Kim ♦

CraigHutchenreuther

MinnieMinKyungKwon

TheresaLane

AdrianaLebedovich ♦

StevenJ.Lubiarz

ElisaMilner

RobertaYee

VIOLAS

LaurentGrillet-Kim*♦

MarcinSwoboda**

AlexanderBeggs

JeremyBauman

PeterBlake

MichaelBursey

AlisaKlebanov

JesseMorrison

CELLI

ArnoldChoi*

JosueValdepenas**

ClareBradford

KathleendeCaen

ThomasMegee

DavidMorrissey

RobynNeidhold

DanielPoceta

BASSES

JonathanYeoh**

MathewHeller

TrishBereti-Reid

PatrickStaples

FLUTES

SaraHahn-Scinocco*

GwenKlassen**

PICCOLO

GwenKlassen

OBOES

DavidSussman**

ThemembersoftheCalgaryPhilharmonicOrchestra aremembersoftheCalgaryMusiciansAssociation, Local547oftheAmericanFederationofMusiciansof theUnitedStatesandCanada.

TheCalgaryPhilisproudtoperformlivesymphonic musicforAlbertaBallet,CalgaryOpera,andthe HonensInternationalPianoCompetition.

ENGLISHHORN

DavidSussman

CLARINETS

LaurieBlanchet**

BASSOONS

AntoineSt-Onge*

MichaelHope**

HORNS

NikoletteLaBonte*

JenniferFrank-Umana***

PeterClark**

MaxwellStein**

TRUMPETS

AdamZinatelli*

MirandaCairns**

TROMBONES

JamesScott*

KristoferLeslie**

BASSTROMBONE

DavidReid*

TUBA

TomMcCaslin*

TIMPANI

AlexCohen*

PERCU.SSION

ChrisSies*

HARP

EmilyMelendes*

*Principal

**AssistantPrincipal

***AssociatePrincipal ♦ LeaveofAbsence

EliasGrandy conductor

EliasGrandy’sinternationalprofileisrapidlyrisingby conductingfirst-classorchestrasandoperaproductions inEurope,NorthAmerica,andAsia.Hailedbypressas “passionate andfull oftemperament,”“vigorousand equallyprecise,”and praisedforhisabilityto“grasp psychologicalsubtletiesundera microscope,”theGerman-Japanese conductorrecentlygavehighlysuccessfuldebutswithrenownedorchestras suchastheViennaSymphony,Osaka Philharmonic,andMinnesota Orchestra.

Equallydevotedasanoperaconductor,Eliasispassionateabouttheatre andmusicallyshapingthenarrativeofeachdrama.Inrecentyears,he hasconductedhighlyacclaimedproductionsof Elektra and Carmen at MinnesotaOperaandOperaNikikai Tokyo, Werther and AVillageRomeo andJuliet atFrankfurtOpera, Unballoinaschera atAalto-TheatreEssen, and Rusalka atPortlandOpera.

EliasstudiedcelloandconductinginMunich,Basel,andBerlin.Heworked asacellistinorchestrassuchastheBavarianRadioSymphonyOrchestra andtheKomischeOperBerlin.HestartedhisconductingcareerasResident ConductoratStaatstheaterDarmstadtandshortlyafterwontheprestigious SirGeorgSoltiInternationalConductingCompetition(Germany).In2015, hewasnamedMusicDirectorofHeidelberg’sOperaandPhilharmonic Orchestra,apositionhehelduntil2023.

KatherineDuncan host

KatherineDuncan’spassionformusicinspiresheratwork andatplay.

Aclassicallytrainedflutist,artsadministrator,radiohost, andproducer, Katherinetakesprideinthemanyartists whoseworkshehas helped discoverandsharewithCBCRadiolisteners onprogramssuchas InConcert, ChoralConcert, InTune,and KeyofA. Anardentchoralsinger, Katherinespentoveradecadeasamemberof Calgary’sSpiritusChamberChoir,andnowfindsamusicalhomeaspart ofVancouver’sbelovedElektra.

SheishonouredtoreturntoCalgaryasinterviewerandhostforthisyear’s HonensInternationalPianoCompetition.

PaoloPietropaolo host

Aninveteratebaseballfanaswellasamusicianand composer,PaoloPietropaolohasspentmuchofhis lifetryingtoexplaintheintricaciesofthearcaneto theuninitiated.Afteroneyearofundergradscienceat theUniversityofToronto,Paologaveuponhismarine biologydreamsinfavourofthatmostsecureofcareerpaths:music. Shockingly,thisstrategysomehowworkedwhenataikodrumminggigled toacareerinradio.

Since2012,Paolohasbeenthehostof InConcert,theaward-winning classicalmusicperformanceprogramonCBCMusic.PaoloisaPeabody Awardwinningaudiodocumentaryproducer,sounddesignerandwriter/ broadcasterpassionateaboutbuildingbridgesthroughstorytelling.Heis alsoatwo-timewinnerofthePrixItalia,mostrecentlyfor TheSignature Series,andpreviouslyforthedocumentaryseries TheWire:theImpactof ElectricityonMusic.

WhereWealth MeetsHarmony

INTHECOMMUNITY

Music hasthe power to inspire, connect, and transform.

Toincreaseexposuretomusicandofferlearningopportunities forallages,Honensisproudtoshareavarietyoffreeand privateinitiativesincommunitiesaroundCalgarythroughout theCompetition,includingcommunityconcerts,lectures oncompositionandmindfullistening,insightfulpiano masterclasses,engaging young audience performances, andmore.

VISITHONENS.COM/COMMUNITY TO LEARN MORE.

ARTISTICDIRECTOR&JURYFACILITATOR

Honens’ArtisticDirectoractsasJuryFacilitator.Hehastherightatanytimeto remindjuriesofcriteriaforthechoiceofpianistsandprizewinnerstomaintain theintegrityoftheprocessandoftheCompetitionandmayinvitediscussion atanytime.HedoesnotvoteduringanystageoftheCompetition.

JonKimuraParker OC

PianistJonKimuraParkerisknownforhischarisma, infectiousenthusiasm,anddynamicperformancesthat communicatethejoyofmusicalexpression.Aveteran oftheinternationalconcertstage,hehasperformedin theBerlinPhilharmonie,CarnegieHall,London’sSouth Bank,theSydneyOperaHouse,andtheBeijingConcert Hall. He is CreativePartnerfortheMinnesotaOrchestra’s SummeratOrchestraHall,servesastheArtisticDirectorfortheHonens InternationalPianoCompetitionandArtisticAdvisorfortheOrcasIsland ChamberMusicFestival,andchairsthekeyboardfacultyoftheShepherd SchoolofMusicatRiceUniversity.

Inrecentconcertseasons,JonKimuraParker has been conducted by Karina Canellakis,KarenKamensek,Mei-AnnChen,StephanieChildress,andLina Gonzalez-Granados.Acollaboratorinawidevarietyofstyles,JonKimura ParkerhasperformedwithYo-YoMa,Cho-LiangLin,FredericavonStade, SusanGrahamandLynnHarrell,andalso withDocSeverinsen,Audra McDonald,BobbyMcFerrin,ShayneKoyczan,andDessa.Hehastouredasa foundingmemberoftheMontroseTrio,andinOfftheScorewithlegendary PolicedrummerStewartCopeland,featuringhisownarrangementsof musicbySergeiProkofiev,MauriceRavel,andIgorStravinsky.

Parker’sdiscographyfeaturesmusicrangingfromFrédéricChopintoJohn Adams.His WholeNotes televisionseriesisavailableonAmazonPrime Video,andhisrecentTonebasevideoonSergeiRachmaninoff’s Rhapsody onaThemeofPaganini hasover500Kviews.

JonKimuraParker studied with EdwardParkerandKeikoParker, LeeKum-SingattheVancouverAcademyofMusicandtheUniversity ofBritishColumbia,MarekJablonskiattheBanffCentre,andAdele MarcusatTheJuilliardSchool.AfterwinningtheGoldMedalatthe 1984LeedsInternationalPianoCompetition,Parkerhasgoneontobecome anOfficeroftheOrderofCanadaandtoreceivehonorarydoctorates fromtheUniversityofBritishColumbiaandtheRoyalConservatoryof Music,Toronto.

Knowntofriendsas“Jackie,”Parkerismarriedtoviolinist/violistAloysia Friedmann,andtheirdaughterSophieisanartist.

HonensJuriesincludeconcertpianistsandotherprofessionals (artistmanagers,collaborativemusicians,presenters,etc.) fromthemusicalworldwhoplayameaningfulroleina concertartist’scareer.Alljurorshaveextensiveknowledge ofpianoliteratureandrepresentand/orareawareofthe qualitiesanartistmustpossesstobuildandsustainacareer intoday’smusicindustries.

ToreadtheJuryManual,visit honens.com/jury.

APPLICANTSCREENING JURY

TheApplicantScreeningJury,comprisedoffourmembers,evaluates applicationsbasedonproposedCompetitionprogramming,experience relativetoage,andconfidentialreferenceletters.TheApplicantScreening Juryselects50pianiststoadvancetotheQuarterfinals.

ToreadApplicantScreeningJurybiographies,visit honens.com/jury.

Tanya Bannister

Tema Blackstone

Karim Said

Micah Yui

FIRSTJURY

TheFirstJury,comprisedoffourmembers,evaluatesthe50Quarterfinal videorecorded40-minuterecitalsand10-minuteinterviews,andselects 10pianiststoadvancetotheSemifinals.

SaraDavisBuechner

PianistSaraDavisBuechnerisamusicianof“intelligence, integrityandall-encompassingtechnicalprowess”(The NewYorkTimes),renownedforher“thoughtfulartistryin thefullserviceofmusic”(WashingtonPost).Japan’s In Tune magazineputsitsimply:“Whenitcomestoclarity, flawlesstemposelection,phrasingandprecisecontroloftimbre,Buechner hasnosuperior.”

Inhertwenties,Sarawasthewinnerofabouquetofprizesattheworld’s premièrepianocompetitions—QueenElisabethofBelgium,Leeds,Salzburg, Sydney,andVienna.ShewontheGoldMedalatthe1984GinaBachauer InternationalPianoCompetitionandwasaBronzeMedalistofthe1986 TchaikovskyInternationalPianoCompetition.

Herbreathtakingrangeofrepertoireincludes125pianoconcertosranging fromA(Albeníz)toZ(Zimbalist),whichshehasperformedinternationally withtheworld’sgreatorchestras.

SaraisPianoChairoftheGreenwichHouseMusicSchool(NewYorkCity), ProfessorofPianoatTempleUniversity(Philadelphia),andanAdjunct ProfessoratNewYorkUniversity.Asthemostprominenttransgender musicianofhergeneration,SaraDavisBuechnerappearsoftenasa spokespersonfortheLGBTQ+community.

NicolasNamoradze

PianistandcomposerNicolasNamoradzegained international recognitionafterwinningthe2018Honens InternationalPianoCompetition.Hailedasoneofthe mostcriticallyacclaimedmusiciansofhisgeneration,he hasbeennameda Gramophone OnetoWatch, Musical America NewArtist,andtheUKCritics’Circle’sPianistoftheYearin2022.His acclaimedalbumshavereceivedawardsincludingChocdeClassicaand BBC MusicMagazine’sInstrumentalDiscoftheMonth.

Highlightsofthe2025/2026seasonincluderecitalsinLondon,Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie,Kronberg,andMunich’sPrinzregententheater,aswell asperformancesofMauriceRavelandSergeiRachmaninoffconcertos inNewYorkCityandDublin.Hereturnstothe2025HonensInternational PianoCompetitiontoperformhisNeurorecitalandcurateTheHonensLab.

RecentengagementsincluderesidenciesattheVerbierFestival,Dortmund, andAntwerp,andaperformanceofJohannesBrahms’ PianoConcertoNo.2

withIvánFischerandtheBudapestFestivalOrchestra,namedbymedici.tv amongtheninegreatestperformancesbyacompetitionwinner.

NicolashasappearedatCarnegieHall,Tanglewood,KonzerthausBerlin,and TokyoBunkaKaikan,performingwithleadingorchestrasandconductors. HestudiedinBudapest,Vienna,Florence,andNewYorkCitywithteachers includingEmanuelAxandAndrásSchiff,andnowteachesatTheJulliardSchool andCityUniversityofNewYork.HeispublishedbyMusePressandSpringer.

MariannePerron

AnativeofMontréal,MariannePerronhasworkedinthe classical musicindustryforover30years,specializingin musicprogrammingandartsmanagement.Throughouther career,shehasbeendrivenbyacommitmenttodevelop theculturallandscapethroughexcellence,authenticity, creativity,andcollaborationinpursuitofmakingmusic,andthearts, accessibletoall.

After completingstudiesattheConservatoiredemusiquedeMontréal, Marianneearnedamaster’sdegreeinmusicologyfromtheUniversitéde Montréal.ShethencompletedaSpecializedGraduateDiplomainartsand culturemanagementandacertificationincorporatefinanceattheÉcoledes HautesÉtudesCommercialesdeMontréal.

Followingthreeyearsinthemusicprogrammingdepartmentofthe OrchestrenationaldeLyon/AuditoriumdeLyon(France),Mariannejoined theOrchestresymphoniquedeMontréal(OSM)in2000.Sincethattime,she hascontributedtotheOSMinavarietyof major roles,including Director of MusicProgrammingforoveradecade.Asof2021,shehasbeentheSenior DirectoroftheArtisticSectoroverseeingadynamicanddedicatedteamand isultimatelyresponsiblefornotonlyfortheprogrammingofthemusical seasonsandartisticprojects,butalsotours,recordings,education,and orchestramusicians.

RobertRoux

PianistRobert Rouxhasbeen a winnerof several piano competitionsin theUnitedStatesincludingtheUnited StatesInformationAgency’sArtisticAmbassador CompetitionandtheInternationalPianoRecording Competition.Robert’sperformancesincludeappearances attheWhiteHouse,KennedyCenter,LibraryofCongress,MerkinConcertHall, StudeConcertHallontheHorowitzSteinway,St.PetersburgConservatoryof Music,VillaPignatelli,andtheSalleCortot.

RobertwasChairofthekeyboarddepartmentatRiceUniversity’s ShepherdSchoolofMusicfrom1990to2023.Hehasservedonthefaculty oftheVanCliburnInstitute,PianoSummeratNewPaltz,theMoscow InternationalPianoMasterclasses,theParisInternationalPianoSessions, theAssociationofGermanMusicSchools,theAmalfiCoastMusic&Arts Festival,andtheInternationalCertificateforPianoArtistsprogramatÉcole

NormaleSupérieure.In2005,hereceivedtheJuliaMileChanceAwardfor ExcellenceinTeaching,oneofRiceUniversity’shighesthonours.Hewasa foundingmemberandAssociateDirectorofthePragueInternationalPiano Masterclassesfrom1997to2007.HeislistedinWho’sWhoinAmerica(2003) andisalsointerviewedinBenjaminSaver’spublication,TheMostWanted PianoTeachersintheUSA.RobertisaSteinwayArtist.

SECONDJURY

TheSecondJury,comprisedofsevenmembers,evaluates10Semifinalist pianistswhoeachperformtworecitalsduringtheSemifinalrounds.They choosethreepianiststoadvancetotheFinalsforachamberperformance, aconcertowithorchestra,andasecondinterviewwithanartsjournalist. TheSecondJuryultimatelychoosestheGoldLaureate.

PhilippeBianconi

SincewinningtheSilverMedalattheVanCliburn International Competitionin1985,PhilippeBianconihas beenleadinganinternationalcareer,pursuinghismusical itinerary,andpatientlycarvingouthispathfarfromthe mediahype.

Hismostrecentrecording, RavelCompletePianoWorks, wasreleasedin September2023onLaDolceVoltalabeltocriticalacclaimandwashailedby TheNewYorkTimes.

PhilippehasappearedwithNorthAmerica’sfinestorchestras,including thoseofCleveland,Chicago,LosAngeles,Pittsburgh,Baltimore,SaintLouis,Montréal,underthebatonofLorinMaazel,ChristophvonDohnanyi, KurtMasur,andDavidZinman.

InEurope,Philippehasplayedwithmanyorchestras,includingthe OrchestreNationaldeFrance,OrchestredeParis,BerlinRadioSymphony, andNetherlandsPhilharmonic.

Anactiveandacclaimedrecitalartist,PhilippehasappearedattheStern AuditoriumatCarnegieHall,WigmoreHall,BerlinPhilharmonie,andThéâtre desChamps-Elysées,aswellasinSanFrancisco,Chicago,Boston,Washington, D.C.,Philadelphia,Houston,Tokyo,Beijing,Shanghai,andSydney.

From2013to2017,hewas the Director of theAmericanConservatoryof Fontainebleau.PhilippehasbeenteachingattheÉcoleNormaledeMusique deParissince2018.

JennyBilfield

JennyBilfieldhasdedicatedhercareertonurturingartists and fosteringtransformativecreativepartnerships.Her earlytrainingasapianistandcomposercomplements hercollaborativespiritandfearless,inclusiveleadership. AtWashingtonPerformingArts,Jennyhaspositioned theorganizationasanincubatorofdynamicmainstage,community,and educationalprogramming.

Throughouthercareershehascommissionedover75worksacrossgenres, builtplatformsfordeeplysourcedprogramming,andhasadvocatedfor publicartsfundingaswellastheprotectionofartists’creativeexpression andintellectualproperty.Withintheartsfield,Jennyhasledeffortsto mitigaterace-basedinequitiesandhasalsobeenavocalproponentfor accountabilityasalastingoutcomeofthe#MeToomovement.

JennyhasreceivedtheAmericanSocietyofComposers,Authors,and Publishers’AdventurousProgrammingAwardandtheHelenM.Thompson AwardfromtheLeagueofAmericanOrchestras.Shehasbeennamedamong the30KeyInfluencersintheArtsby MusicalAmerica andamongtheMost PowerfulWomeninWashingtonby Washingtonian magazine.Sheserveson theChamberMusicAmericaboardandisan Emeritus HonoraryCommander oftheUnitedStatesAirForceBand.SheismarriedtocomposerJoelPhillip Friedmanandtheyhaveanadultdaughter,HallieElizaFriedman,andtwo Africanparrots.

JaninaFialkowska OC

For50years,concertpianistJaninaFialkowskahas enchantedaudiencesandcriticsaroundtheworld.She has beenpraisedforhermusicalintegrity,herrefreshing naturalapproach,andheruniquepianosound.

BorninMontréal,shebeganherpianostudieswithhermotheratagefour. Hercareerwaslaunchedin1974,whenthelegendaryArthurRubinstein becamehermentorafterherprize-winningperformanceathisinaugural MasterPianoCompetition,callinghera“bornChopininterpreter”laying thefoundationforherlifelongidentificationwiththiscomposer.

HernativeCanadahasbestoweduponhertheirhighesthonours:Officerof theOrderofCanadaandtheGovernorGeneral’s2012LifetimeAchievement AwardinClassicalMusic,aswellasthreehonorarydoctorates.Shepasseson herwidemusicalexperienceinmasterclassesandatherannualInternational PianoAcademyinBavaria,whereshenowresidesandmakesfrequent appearancesasajuroroftheworld’smostprestigiouspianocompetitions.

InOctober2021,herautobiography, ANoteinTime,waspublishedto universalacclaimbyNovumPublishersinLondon.

LeilaGetz CM

AsfounderandArtisticDirectoroftheVancouverRecital Society,LeilaGetzhaspresentedtheCanadianand Vancouverdebutperformancesofsomeoftheworld’s mostbrilliantandrespectedyoungmusicians.

Establishedin1980,theVancouverRecitalSocietyisone ofonlyahandfulofconcertseriesinNorthAmericadedicatedtopresenting onlyrecitalists.Overtheyears,Leilahasprovidedaplatformforsomeofthe brightestlightsinthemusicalworld,longbeforetheybecamehousehold names.

Arecipientofmanyprestigiousawards,LeilawasmadeaMemberofthe OrderofCanada(1995),awardedtheQueenElizabethIIGoldenJubilee Medal(2004),appointedtotheOrderofBritishColumbia(2004),awarded anHonoraryDoctorofFineArtsfromSimonFraserUniversity(2005),and awardedtheKingCharlesIIICoronationMedal.

Shewasselectedby MusicalAmerica’seditorsasa2015Influencerand wasprofiledinTheInfluencers–The30ProfessionalsoftheYear, a Musical America specialreport.Thereportstates,“Incontinuingtojuxtapose giftedunknownswiththestars,Getz’sVancouverRecitalSeriesremainsan importantplatformforemergingandestablishedartistsonthecontinent.” InSeptember2017, LeilawaspresentedwiththeWesternArtsAlliance LeadershipAward.

Anne-MarieMcDermott

OneofthemostdazzlingAmerican pianists of her generation,Anne-Marie McDermotthasplayedconcertos, recitals,andchambermusicthroughouttheUnited States,Europe,andAsia.Sheisaninsightfulinterpreter ofBaroqueandClassicalmasterpieces,20th-century modernism,andmusicbythemostinfluentialcomposersofourtime.

ShecontinueshertenureasMusicandArtisticDirectoroftheBravo!Vail MusicFestivalinColoradothrough2026.SheistheArtisticDirectorofthe OceanReefChamberMusicFestivalinFlorida,andArtisticDirectorofthe McKnightCenter’sChamberMusicFestivalatOklahomaStateUniversity.

Anne-MarieiscurrentlyrecordingthecompleteLudwigvanBeethovenpiano concertoswithMexicoCity’sOrquestaSinfónicadeMinería,underCarlos MiguelPrieto.Herrecordingsalsoincludethecompletepianosonatasof SergeiProkofiev, solo works by JohannSebastianBach’s EnglishSuites and Partitas,andGeorgeGershwin’scompleteworksforpianoandorchestrawith theDallasSymphonyOrchestra.

Anne-MarieisawinneroftheMortimerLevittCareerDevelopmentAward forWomen,theYoungConcertArtistsauditions,andanAveryFisherCareer Grant.ShealsoreceivedahonorarydoctoratefromtheManhattanSchoolof Musicin2024,whereshestudied.

RobertoPlano

ItaliannativeRobertoPlanoperformsregularlythroughout North AmericaandEurope.Hehasappearedwith orchestrasallovertheworld,andappearedasarecitalist andchambermusicianatmanyinternationalfestivals.

RobertowastheFirstPrizeWinneratthe2001Cleveland InternationalPianoCompetition,andaprizewinneratmanyother competitionsincludingHonens.

Hehasrecordedmorethan20commercialCDs,includingseveralworld premiereCDswithmusicbyAndreaLuchesi(1741–1801)and,mostrecently, hisfirstrecordingonDECCAClassicsfeaturingmusicofFranzLiszt.

Robertohasbeendescribedby TheChronicle asthe“PavarottiofthePiano” forhislyricismanddefinedbyChicagoradiocommentatorPaulHarveyas theheirtoArthurRubinsteinandVladimirHorowitz.InItaly,hehasappeared onthecoverofthemostimportantmusicmagazine, Amadeus,andhas beenawardedseveralprizes,includingtheLumenClaro,awardedbythe cityofVaresetoitsmostcelebratedcitizens.

Oneofthemostsought-afterteachersintheworld,Robertoiscurrently ProfessorofPianoandChairofSchoolofKeyboardStudiesatthe ConservatoriodellaSvizzeraItalianaandInternationalVisitingProfessor ofPianoattheRoyalNorthernCollegeofMusicinManchester.

AwadaginPratt

Amonghisgenerationofconcertartists,pianistAwadagin Pratt is acclaimedforhismusicalinsightandintenselyinvolving performancesinrecitalandwithsymphonyorchestras.

In1992,AwadaginwontheNaumburgInternationalPiano CompetitionandtwoyearslaterwasawardedanAvery FisherCareerGrant.Sincethen,hehasplayednumerousrecitalsthroughout theUnitedStates.Hismanyorchestralperformancesincludeappearances withtheNewYorkPhilharmonic,MinnesotaOrchestra,andthePittsburgh, Cincinnati,Baltimore,Indianapolis,Atlanta,St.Louis,National,andDetroit symphonies,amongothers.

Alsoanexperiencedconductor,Awadaginhasconductedprogramswith manyAmericansymphoniesandorchestras,aswellasseveralorchestras inJapan.Insummer2023,hebeganhistenureastheMusicDirectorofthe MiamiValleySymphonyOrchestrainOhio.

InJuly2023,Awadaginjoinedthe faculty of theSanFranciscoConservatory ofMusicasaProfessorofPiano.HewaspreviouslyaProfessorofPianoand Artist-in-ResidenceattheCollege-ConservatoryofMusicattheUniversityof Cincinnatifor19years.

Inrecognitionofhisachievements,hereceivedtheDistinguishedAlumni AwardfromJohnsHopkinsUniversityaswellashonorarydoctoratesfrom theBerkleeCollegeofMusicandIllinoisWesleyan.

Thanks a billion, Calgary.

Overthelast70years,CalgaryFoundationhasgranted$1billion totheCalgary and area community–helpingto careforourcity ofoveramillionpeople.Wehavethousandstothankforbuilding amorevibrantandhealthycommunitywhereeveryonebelongs.It takesstrongpartnershipsbetweenvisionaryphilanthropistsand our effective charitable sectorto addressthe currentandfuture needsofpeoplein our community. Fueledby a permanent endowment,weinvestdonationsoverthelongterm,makingit possibletocareforgenerationstocome.Thankyou,Calgary,for helpingus togive more, do more,grantmoreand investmore.

calgaryfoundation.org

Applauds

VOLUNTEERS

ThefollowingindividualsgenerouslydonatedtheirtimetoHonensbetween JanuaryandOctober2025.Honensalsothanksallwhomadecontributions afterprintdeadlines.

VOLUNTEERCO-CHAIRS

HelenIsaac

SheilaLetkeman-Mehra

FESTIVAL ANDCOMPETITION

NeilAbhyankar

SusanAnderson

BarbAtnikov

AnnaAubrecht

RachelBaljeu

PatBenedict

DavidBlois

MarleneCameron

AnalanChen

KarenChoy

JerCox

KathyDanielson

MichelleDocking

SarahDrew

FrancesFolkman

MargaretFullerton

HelenGardner

NancyGillott

RadinaGubeva

LuyuHan

FayeHleucka

AngelicaHo

HannahHodjati

KathyHolland

DonnaHorton

KristyHowe

ArinJones

HarrisKirshenbaum

AndreaKiss-Parciu

AnnetteKooistra

WendyKunsman

CatherineLasuita

MaryLaughren

GrahamLaw

EdLetkeman

YuefeiLou

LarryLove

DaveMacLeod

OxanaMamontova

CarolMannas

VickieMcKinnon

JamesMcLean

JenniferMelrose

GeriMoon

LaurieMorrison

AnnNewman

AngelicaNg

AivyNgo

ValerieNorrish

MaraOsis

IvyPan

RiddhibenPatel

MargaretPeyto

JohnsonPhilip

Mary-AnnPodgorski

KateReeves

SilviaRossi

AnantaSaha

NicoleSimion

ChristineSmarda

IdaSwitzer

MariaTorres

MirandaWard

JoanWarrington

BruceWatson

MartynWesley

SoLingWong

LindaYang

LinxiZhang

JiZhao

ShirleyZielsdorf

HOSTFAMILIES

AnnCalvert

JerCox

Harvey*andSherryDoerr

HeatherEdwards

DaveandSianFitzpatrick

RonandJessicaHolcek

KevinandSusanKeyes

DavidandJennyMcDermid

BrettNorrisandLynne

Robertson

KatherinePerezand

ChrisLemke

TomPlunkettandSarahPalmer

Anne-MarieSyslakandJeff McPherson

SueandMacVanWielingen

PAGETURNERS

JulieJacques

OksanaYarechuk

VIPHOSTS

AnnCrawford

IreneandWaltDeBoni

BrianMills

EdandJackieEngstrom

JohnPartridge

TonyandLizFricke

NancyGillott

CorrinaLee*

MartynWesley

JackOMortenson

LarryandJanFichtner

ChrisHyltonandBarbara Newman

CASINOVOLUNTEERS

SteveAngyalfi

JerCox

DonnaCrawford

SharonDalton

HarryDean

SherryDoerr

RandeFarrell

TroyFredeen

TonyFricke

JeffGilcrest

WayneHleucka

JimHughes

HelenIsaac

MadelainneJoss

WendyKunsman

CatherineLasuita

DaveMacLeod

PieneMeunier

JoeMoreau*

MarkMosher

MargaretPeyto

LauraSugimoto

FrankvanderVoet

JoanWarrington

MartynWesley

KarenWesley

SukYee

JiZhao

JipingZhao

SUPPORTERS

Thefollowingindividualsandcompaniesgenerously donatedgiftsofcash,products,orservicestoHonens betweenJanuary2024andAugust2025.Publicandprivate fundersarelistedonpage4and5.Forafulllistofpatrons, visithonens.com/supporters.

FoundingBenefactor

EstherHonens+

HonensLegacyPartners keepEstherHonens’dream andvisionalive.TheLegacy PartnersEndowmentFund ensuresthecontinuationof impactfulprogramstoengage community,fosterlifelong learning,andbuildmeaningful connections.Allgiftsreceived todatehavebeeneligiblefor matchingcontributionsfrom theGovernmentofCanada.

IanandHeatherBourne

F. RichardMatthews+ CMOC PercyandLoisColeFoundation

JohnandSheilaghLangille

LifetimeBenefactors donate$100,000ormoreto Honensoveralifetime.

EstherHonens+ DeborahandThomas+ Ambrose JennyBelzberg CMAOE IanandHeatherBourne

Percy+ andLoisCole Harvey*andSherryDoerr Arthur+ andBonnieDumont HeatherEdwards

LarryandJanFichtner AnnieFreeze

TonyandLizFricke

HelenGraham

RichardandLoisHaskayne JudyandWilliam+ Kilbourne JohnandSheilaghLangille

F.RichardMatthews+ CMQC EleanorMcCain

Ted+ andMargaret+ Newall TedRozsa+ OC andLolaRozsa+ ClariceEvansSiebens

JamesM.Stanford OC Anonymous

EndowedFunds

AmericanFriendsofCanada atCalgaryFoundation

EstherHonensInternational PianoCompetition FoundationatCalgary Foundation

HonensFutureGrowthFund atCalgaryFoundation

HonensLegacyPartnerFund atCalgaryFoundation

Thefollowingindividuals generouslydonatedcash, product,orservicesto Honensthisyear.

INDIVIDUALDONORS

$99,999to$125,000

HeatherEdwards

$50,000to$99,999

LarryandJanFichtner

$25,000to$49,999

JennyBelzberg

ClariceEvansSiebens

AndreaBrussa

IreneandWaltDeBoni

KanovskyFamilyFoundation

ShirleyO’Donoghue

VanWielingenFamily ViewpointFoundation

Anonymous

$10,000to$24,999

DeborahandThomas+

Ambrose

AnnBurnardCrawford

HeatherandIanBourne

Harvey*andSherryDoerr

FerrierCharitableTrust

AnnieFreeze

TonyandLizFricke

HelenGraham

RyanGreen

SharieHunter

DonnaJohnsonFoundation

JohnKieser

F.E.Kitchenham+

JanetPoyen

SiânMatthews

DavidandJennyMcDermid FamilyFund

Carl+ andLesleyMillar

MaryRozsadeCoquet

$5,000to$9,999

ShannonDay-Newman*and DonNewman oclld

JeremyE.Clark GertrudeCohos

EllenandAllenBorak

Gordon&DianeBuchanan FamilyFoundation

Dancyger(MorrisandAnn) PhilanthropyFund

WilliamHogg

DonnaandGregHorton

SteveKennedy inhonourofPaulaKennedy

HeatherKazakoff

BrendaMarshall

TheJeffreyandMarilyn

McCaigFamilyFoundation

LethaMacLachlan kc

CarmenMorin*

PalmerFamilyFoundation

CraigSenyk

JamesM.Stanford oc

DaisyWilliamsandDaniyal Zafar

SandraandGlennWoolsey

$2,500to$4,999

DougandCharlotteAnnable LisaBuck

AdrianBurns

MargaretCampbell

AnnCalvert MavisClark

ContemporaryCalgary

KarolDabbs

JohnandMarilynneGillespie

ErikaHargesheimer

PatrickandSharieHunter

LynneKearns

CorinnaLee*

DevtexLimited

WendyLiu

Heather*andPeterMarreck

RickandJanetMatthews

RoxanneMcCaig

RussellandVickieMcKinnon

PrivateGivingFoundation

HughMcPhail*andYolanda vanWachem

NormandAnnMiller

AlanandGeriMoon

Joe*andTrudyMoreau

RichardandMaryShaw

LowellandAmandaSmith

KimberleySundell*andKarl

Taylor

Anonymous(1)

$1,500to$2,499

SteveandKlementinaAngyalfi

BabetteBlindert

AllanDick inmemoryofSusanDick

JimandAllisonDingle

TiborFekete

StephanieandBrianFelesky

JaneFrancis

DonaldandJanetHatch

DanandKathyHays

ConnieHuntandRon

Holdsworth

SatwantLota

M.AnnMcCaig

DaleandJoanMeister

LouiseMoore

FaizNadir

JohnandJeanPartridge

KatherinePerez

KellyPitaoulisandZackLaurent

RabinovitzFamily

CommunityFund

E&MRewuckiFoundation

KenandStephanieWilson

ShirleyZielsdorfandEd Letkeman

$1,000to1,499

PatBenedict

BarbAtnikovandAlbert RosengartenFoundation

DarylBankeandMarkHussey

NevaBruceandDavid Cuthbertson

JillandKipCobbett

JosephineDavy-Seetal

JamesandAllisonDingle

SarahJaneDumbrille

FabbriciFoundationfortheArts

JudyFairburn

RichardFrenchandDiane Boivin

CatherineGunther

ChrisHyltonandBarbara Newman

CarolynandBillHyndman

HelenIsaac

VictorandMarilynLanctis

SheilaLetkeman-Mehra

AndrewandBenteMcAlister

CatherineMcClelland

JohnandKeltieMierins

JohnandJeanPartridge

PatriciaPrestwich

EricSaarvala

DonSmith

SusanSwan

JeanTeron

MartynWesley

ShirleyWesteinde

PhilippaWhite

$700–$999

MarinaJones

KateMacGregor

DonaldMacKimmie

SharonMartens

DonnaRooney

Hon.JusticeGregP.Shannon

DavidThomas

ElaineWood

$500–$700

ClaudiaChowaniec

MeganandJohnCrosland

DortheaCutts

MargaretDickenson

SuzanneDrapeau

SandraLee

FrançoisandSarieMai

BarbaraandMichaelMorin

JohnandArleneNash

NetherlandsInvestment

CompanyofCanadaLimited

GordonandWendyPeters

KingaPetrovai

RossPetty

RawjiFamilyFlowThrough Fund

SusanRoskey

GordonRoss

ChadRowbotham

SusanScotti

LillianThomsen

JillWyatt

BrendaWyne

$20–$499

AndrewAzmudeh

RobBakerandHollySykes

ColleenandGeorgeBezaire

EdithBrendel

RowenaCromwell

JepthaDavenport

CarolDevennyandGrant

McDonald

JaneEbbern

JohnFeick

ForteMusicStudio

AndreaGammack

SusanGeorge

MyrnaGhitter

EvelynGreenberg

SandyGunderson

KarinHagg

NynaHill

WayneandFayeHleucka

VivienneHuisman

JiwonHwang

MadelainneK.Joss

PaddyKamen

VernKimball

LouisKruse

WendyKunsman

RobertLesoway

NancyLowden

BarbaraLuten

RodMacleod

AldoandLavernaMarchese

IanMartin

NancyMartin

LaurieMatiation

BruceandBonnieMcMillan

LachlinandJulianne

McKinnon

AllisonMoore

JohnandArleneNash

KrissiPacaud

LornaPaterson

MarieandWaynePatton

RossPetty

NicholasPolachuk

OxanaMamontova

RajivRamchandra

MegVanRosendaal

GordonRoss

RutherfordFamily

LornaPatersonandCharles

Schneider

MikeShrimpton

PeterSkirvingandCassie

Palamar

HeiliStrawbridge+

JimandNancyTaipale

RayTodd

JanetTse

FrankvanderVoet

JenniferWeihmann

RenaWillson

JeanWiseman

JanWittig

DonnaWood

JerilynWright

MarionS.Wright

MayYeung

FrederickYoung

JenniferYu

Anonymous(16)

EVENTHOSTS

LaureateCircleCalgary

LowellandAmandaSmith

MastersGalleryLtd.

Harvey*andSherryDoerr

HeatherEdwards

LarryandJanFichtner

LaureateCircle

Edmonton

PeterRobertsonGallery

LaureateCircleOttawa

MargaretDickenson

DaisyWilliamsandDaniyal

Zafar

RideauClubOttawa

AmbassadorMattias

Lüttenberg,Ambassador ofGermanytoCanada

MichelMiraillet,Ambassador ofFrancetoCanada,and Mrs.GenevièveQuenumMiraillet

GIFTSINMEMORYOF CARLMILLAR

AyalaBerman

EloiseandCameronBerry

BrooksFamily

GwenBurrows

LauraCuthbertson

MichaelDurnin

Harvey*andSherryDoerr

TiborFekete

RosaFishman

TheJeremy&Judith FreedmanFamily Foundation

JudyandMikeGindl

LindaGreen

WarrenandDidiHanna

PennyHarris

RossandNancyHayes

ClaireHopkinsandFamily

LynneKearns

CatherineLajoieandFamily

NormanLoberg

LorneLondon

JoyandBillLong

LethaMacLachlan kc

RyanandMadlenMargau

Heather*andPeterMarreck

KellyMcMillenandTim Guernsey

SonjaC.Missio

JoyceMoore

JohnandArleneNash

JudithPakes

ClaudiaPasquiniandJim

Mitchell

BruceandPatriciaPetrie

ColinRoss

RichardandMaryShaw

AmandaSmith

WendiVanExan

JenniferWeihmann

*HonensDirector

+Deceased

#HONENS2025

Overnineteenoutoftwentyprofessionalpianistschooseto performon steinway . steinway&sons isproudtosupport theHonensInternationalPianoCompetition.