Amanda Forsyth, cello, in recital

Amanda Forsyth

We are proud and excited to announce that NAC’s own principal cello, Amanda Forsyth, will be presented by the National Arts Centre Orchestra, as part of the Alberta Scene Festival. Juno Award-winning Amanda Forsyth is considered one of North America’s most dynamic cellists. The intense richness of her tone, her remarkable technique and her exceptional musicality combine to enthrall her audiences and critics alike. She started her musical education in Edmonton, and later studied with world-renowned cellists and pedagogues, William Pleeth, Harvey Shapiro and Lynn Harrell. She returned to Alberta after two seasons with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as principal cello of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Celebrated as a leading recording artist, Amanda Forsyth is also recognized as an eminent recitalist, soloist and chamber musician appearing with leading orchestras in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. She will be joined by Ottawa-based pianist, Jean Desmarais in a dazzling programme.

Jean Desmarais

Jean Desmarais is a versatile pianist in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and in the challenging role as an accompanist.

He studied at the Conservatoire in Hull, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and later at the Conservatoire de Montréal, where he earned his Masters degree and the Premier Prix in Piano and Chamber Music.  He studied in Paris from 1990 until 1992.

He has a particular interest in new music and was a member of the Pierrot Ensemble and has performed more than 40 world premieres of Canadian Music.

As a soloist Jean Desmarais has performed frequently with orchestras in Canada, Romania, Poland and appears regularly with the Orquesta Filarmónica del estado de Chihuahua in Mexico. Jean Desmarais is regularly featured on CBC.SRC recordings, at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (last 6 years) and the National Arts Centre’s Music for a Sunday Afternoon series.As a collaborative pianist he has worked with many artists including Kiri Te Kanawa, Ben Heppner, Donna Brown, Amanda Forsyth, Susan Graham and many other talented musicians.

As a piano teacher, Jean has taught young pianists from Grade 10 to post-Masters level.  He was on the faculty of the department of music at the University of Ottawa (1998-2004) and the Music Director for the young artists programme for Opera Lyra and the University of Ottawa (1999-2003). He is presently teaching at Carleton University.