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Visiting Artist Masterclasses and Events

Dozens of visiting artists, educators, composers and scholars from around the world bring global artistry and perspective each year. Typically, many of these unique experiences for our students are open to the public to attend. 

2022-23 Masterclasses

Joining us on campus for an in-person event? For always-up-to-date health and safety protocols, check our Audience Information webpage before you leave home.

Saturday, Oct 1 | 4pm
von Kuster Hall
Henning Schröder, saxophone

Tuesday, Oct 4 | 7–9pm
von Kuster Hall
Brian Manker, Principal Cello, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal; cellist, New Orford String Quartet

Wednesday, Oct 12 | 1:30-3:30pm
Music Building Rm 254 
We invite and welcome everyone to join us in celebrating this rare opportunity in hearing Mimi Zweig, one of North America’s leading pedagogues. Ms. Zweig will present two free, public classes: a Pedagogy seminar and workshop (all instruments) in the afternoon at Western, followed by a Young Artists Pre-College Academy Masterclass from 6:30-8:30pm at First St. Andrew’s Church, 350 Queens Ave. 

Wednesday, Oct 12 | 6–7:30pm 
von Kuster Hall
Kenneth Thompkins, Principal Trombone, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, will play a half recital followed by a masterclass with current Music students that the public is welcome to stay for.

Saturday, Oct 22 | 10am
von Kuster Hall
We are honoured to welcome internationally renowned pianist Louise Bessette as the guest artist for this year's Parsons and Poole Concert and Masterclass. 

Sunday, Oct 23 | 1pm
Music Building Rm 27
Learn how to use your authentic voice with Lauren Pearl. Lauren will give participants a glimpse into her career path, and the means to crafting the full body as the instrument. They will discuss the many possibilities within an operatic career, offering a behind the scenes glimpse into the industry. They will also lead group exercises in a workshop on movement, voice, and breath. Lauren will offer you new perspectives on artistry and bravery.
Funding for workshops with Marlboro artists and Western Music students has been generously provided by Brenda Rolfe.

Wednesday, Oct 26 | 7pm
Music Building Rm 140
A chamber music masterclass with cellist Tony Rymer. 
Funding for workshops with Marlboro artists and Western Music students has been generously provided by Brenda Rolfe.

Thursday, Oct 27 | 12:30pm NEW TIME
Talbot College Rm 101
A viola masterclass with Abi Fayette from the Catalyst Quartet.
Funding for workshops with Marlboro artists and Western Music students has been generously provided by Brenda Rolfe.

Thursday, Oct 27 | 12:30–1:30pm 
Music Building Rm 140
Bring an instrument! Phil Mullen, improvisor, educator and music maker, leads an improvisation workshop. Part of the EARS WIDE OPEN improvisation workshop series. 

Friday, November 11 | 2:30–4pm 
Music Building Rm 321 from 2:30–3pm
Music Building Rm 27 from 3–4pm 
Shoshana Telner, piano, will give a masterclass in the afternoon after her Fridays at 12:30 concert. Program includes Winnie Zheng: Beethoven sonata op. 31 no. 3; Sing Yuan Liew: Chopin Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, first mvt.; Nancy Lin: Beethoven sonata op.26, mvt. 1 and 4. 

Wednesday, November 16 | 7–9pm 
Music Building Studio 242 
Daphne Gerling (University of North Texas) will give a viola masterclass two days before her Fridays at 12:30 concert with pianist Tomoko Kashiwagi.

Thursday, November 17 | 5–7:30pm 
Music Building Rm 140 
Tomoko Kashiwagi, piano (University of Arkansas-Fayetteville) will give a masterclass the day before her Fridays at 12:30 concert with violist Daphne Gerling. Program includes Hayoon Kim and Katie Birt, pianos: Rachmaninoff Suite No. 1; Chinju Tsai and Catalina Teican, pianos: Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Suite Op.71 (arranged for two pianos by Nicolas Economou), Overture (1st Mvt.)

Tuesday, Nov 29 | 7–9pm NEW LOCATION
Studio 242
Rachel Mercer, Principal Cello, National Arts Centre Orchestra, will give a cello masterclass. She is a member of the St. John-Mercer-Park Trio who are giving a guest artists concert two days later. 

Fri, Dec 2 | 2:30–5:30pm | TC100
Sat, Dec 3 | 2:00–5:00pm | MB27
Canadian musical theatre director David Connolly, in addition to his Voice Fridays event, will give a series of masterclasses. 

Tuesday, Dec 6 | 7:30–9pm
von Kuster Hall
Chamber Music Artist-in-Residence Scott St. John, who is also giving a guest artist concert the previous week, will give a chamber music masterclass.  

Thursday, Jan 12 | 5:30pm
MB140
Pianist Philip Chiu will give a masterclass with Western University music students. Planned program includes Chopin Barcarolle, op. 60; Barber Cello Sonata, Allegro ma non troppo; Beethoven Piano Sonata op. 81a, les Adieux, 1st mvt.

Friday, Jan 13 | 2:30pm
TC100
Liz Upchurch, collaborative pianist and head of Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio, will give two masterclasses. During her residency she will also join us for a Voice Fridays in addition to serving as the final round voice judge for the Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition. 

Saturday, Jan 14 | 9:30am 
Paul Davenport Theatre
Liz Upchurch, collaborative pianist and head of Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio, will give two masterclasses. During her residency she will also join us for a Voice Fridays in addition to serving as the final round voice judge for the Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition. 

Wednesday, Jan 18 to Saturday Jan 21 
Dr. Erik Leung of Oregon State University joins us for four days of open rehearsals and lectures. Funding for this residency has been provided by the Don Wright Faculty of Music Undergraduate Gift Fund.

Saturday, Jan 21 | 10am
von Kuster Hall
David Rogosin of Mount Allison University, adjudicator of the 2023 Fred Pattison Piano Award Competition, will  give a piano masterclass with competition finalists. Pianist David Rogosin has performed across Canada, in the American midwest, the Caribbean and France. Praised for the brilliance, clarity and passion of his performances, he is highly regarded as a performer, adjudicator and clinician. Aside from solo recitals, Rogosin is a frequent collaborator and chamber player with a particular passion for the two-piano repertoire. In addition, his lecture-recitals on Messiaen, Dallapiccola, Scriabin, Southam and Haydn have been enthusiastically received.

Tuesday, Jan 24 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Chamber Music Artist-in-Residence Scott St. John will give a chamber music masterclass with student trios from the Don Wright Faculty of Music, including the winners of this year's Young-Ja Park Chamber Music Award. Planned program includes works by Hans von Koessler (1853-1926) and Lou Harrison (1917-2003). 

Friday, Jan 27 | 9:30am
Studio 242
Violinist Kyoko Kashiwagi (Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Muse Ensemble, former Amernet String Quartet) joined us earlier this month as a final round judge for the Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition, and returns today for a masterclass featuring orchestral violin excerpts with students from the Don Wright Faculty of Music.

Thursday, Feb 2 | 2:30pm
MB 140
Christine Carter of the Iris Trio will give a performance psychology masterclass/workshop. The Iris Trio will give a concert the following day as part of our Fridays @ 12:30 concert series. 
Title: Where There Is a Way There Is a Will: Overcoming Motivation Roadblocks
Description: This workshop will provide practical advice for dealing with lack of motivation, inside and outside the practice room. Students and faculty on all instruments are welcome to attend. Dr. Carter is a leading researcher in music performance and psychology as well as an alum of the Don Wright Faculty of Music. This event is part of the Pedagogy Speaker Series and sponsored in part by the Teaching Fellows Program at the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Thursday, Feb 2 | 3pm
von Kuster Hall
Anna Petrova of the Iris Trio will give a collaborative piano masterclass. The Iris Trio will give a concert the following day as part of our Fridays @ 12:30 concert series. 

Friday, Feb 3 | 10:15am NEW DATE/PROGRAM
MB 441
Luri Lee, violinist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a founding member of the Rolston String Quartet, will give a chamber music masterclass. Funding for this masterclass was generously provided by the Don Wright Faculty of Music Undergraduate Gift Fund. This event was originally scheduled on Feb 1 at 3pm with Hezekiah Leung, viola.

Saturday, Mar 4 | 9:30am
von Kuster Hall
Kelly Zimba Lukić, principal flute with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, will give a 3-hour masterclass with Western University music students. Ms. Lukić has performed around the world in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, Royal Albert Hall, and the Teatro del Lago in Frutillar, Chile. She was featured on the cover of Flute Talk Magazine in October 2017. In addition to performing, she has served on the faculties of NYO Canada, NYO2, Orford Winds Workshop, Credo Flute, Toronto Summer Music Academy, SItka Fine Arts Camp, and Belvoir Terrace. She regularly teaches masterclasses at universities, youth orchestras, and flute clinics across the United States and Canada. Funding for this masterclass was generously provided by the Don Wright Faculty of Music Undergraduate Gift Fund.

Thursday, Mar 9 | 7:30pm NEW DATE
Studio 242
Preceding their concert the next day, Sanya Eng, harp, and Ryan Scott, percussion, will give a
Masterclass including a reading of student compositions.
*This event was previously scheduled for February 7 2023 in von Kuster Hall

Friday, Mar 10 | 11am 
MB227
Western Music alum Jarrett McCourt joins us for a student self-care and mental health workshop/seminar. The goal of this seminar is to offer tools to musicians for dealing with anxiety, both on stage and off. Participants will learn a variety of ways that they can handle stress, and will be offered a series of ideas to improve their overall happiness and ability to cope with challenges.

Subscribe to our monthly events email for event notifications year-round, or visit music.uwo.ca/events for more information.

Past Visiting Artists

Piano masterclass with Jon Kimura Parker
Voice masterclass with mezzo-soprano Lucia Cervoni
Piano masterclass with Li Wang
Voice masterclass with Brett Polegato
Piano masterclass with Stewart Goodyear
Piano masterclass with Asami Hagiwara
Collaborative pianist Liz Upchurch
Voice masterclass with soprano Jane Archibald
Violin masterclass with William Herzog
Clarinet masterclass with Marie Picard
Open band rehearsals with Christopher Morehouse
Open band rehearsals with Carolyn Barber
Masterclass with Boccheriniana, baroque quintet
Piano masterclass with Sofya Bugayan
Saxophone and composition masterclass with Quasar Saxophone Quartet
Open band rehearsals with Lauren Reynolds
Brass masterclass with Gábor Tarkövi, trumpet
Chamber music masterclass with members of the St. Lawrence String Quartet
Brass masterclass with Jarrett McCourt
Piano/composer masterclass with Stephen Moccio
Voice masterclass with Russell Braun
Violin masterclass with Helmut Lipsky
Piano masterclass with Jean Marchand and Brigitte Poulin
Piano masterclass with Yael Weiss
Violin masterclass with Jennifer Orchard
Viola masterclass with Michael Ouzounian
Guitar masterclass with Johannes Möller
Voice masterclass with Adrianne Pieczonka
Parsons & Poole (piano) masterclass with Sara Davis Buechner
Voice masterclass with Michele Capalbo
Clarinet masterclass with  Jean-Guy Boisvert
Saxophone masterclass with Jonathan Nichol and Jeffrey Loeffert
Clarinet masterclass with Marie Picard
Parsons & Poole (piano) masterclass with Charles Richard-Hamelin
Voice masterclass with Brett Polegato
Viola masterclass with Daniel Scholz
Brass masterclass with Canadian Brass
Piano masterclass with Ilya Poletaev
Viola masterclass with Teng Li
Piano Masterclass with Fred Pattison Piano Competition adjudicator Enrico Elisi
Voice masterclass with Johannes Debus, Music Director, Canadian Opera Company
Woodwind masterclass with Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
Voice masterclass with Liz Upchurch
Clarinet masterclass with Kornel Wolak 
Parsons & Poole (piano) masterclass with John O’Conor
Voice masterclass with Kathleen Kelly, opera conductor and coach.
Viola masterclass with David Rose.
Masterclass with Duo Concertante: Nancy Dahn, violin; Timothy Steeves, piano
Violin masterclass with Marie Bérard, best known as concertmaster of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra 
Piano Masterclass with Fred Pattison Piano Competition adjudicator, David Jalbert 
Saxophone masterclass with Jeffrey Heisler, part of Heisler-Yeh Duo
Piano masterclass with I-Chen Yeh, part of Heisler-Yeh Duo
Violin Masterclass with Elissa Lee, Ensemble Made in Canada
Horn Masterclass with Adam Unsworth, Associate Professor of Horn, University of Michigan 
Piano masterclass with Peter Vinograde, an outstanding interpreter of J.S. Bach and contemporary composers.
Saxophone and Drum set masterclass with Noa Even and Stephen Klunk
Parsons & Poole masterclass with James Anagnoson, Dean of The Glenn Gould School 
Voice masterclass with internationally-renowned Canadian soprano Edith Wiens 
French Horn and Chamber Music masterclass with Radovan Vlatkovic
Violin masterclass with violinist/conductor Victor Yampolsky, Northwestern University 
Various voice workshops and masterclasses with Kathleen Kelly, University of Michigan School of Music 
Voice Masterclass with Music theatre / Pop music master teacher, and distinguished alumna, Elaine Overholt 
Masterclass with renowned Canadian pianist, Jimmy Brière 
Piano preparations/Extended techniques masterclass with pianist, Sandra Joy Friesen
Masterclass with saxophonist, Allison Balcetis
Masterclass with saxophonist, Justin Massey 
Masterclass with flutist, Lisa Nelsen.
Two masterclasses with violinist, Fernando Pereira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Masterclass with violist Teng Li, Toronto Symphony Orchestra principal viola 
Masterclass with saxophonist, Phil Pierick 
Lecture and Masterclass with composer and conductor Sir James MacMillan, visiting from Scotland 
Masterclass with Quasar Quatuor de Saxophones
Masterclass with visiting composer  John Beckwith