Local pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko is back in Salmon Arm after a very memorable and eventful summer. For nine weeks this summer, Izik-Dzurko participated in the Aspen Summer Music Festival and School, where he joined a select group of musicians from around the world to study and make music with professors from the top music conservatories in the U.S.
While there, he had the opportunity to attend concerts by renowned artists such as violinist Joshua Bell, Soprano Renée Fleming, and pianists Jonathan Bis, Danil Trifonov, and Marc-Andre Hamelin. Aspen, in the words of the Festival’s website, “is a place... where masters share their secrets... and the best get even better.”
Midway through the program, Izik-Dzurko took leave from the program to represent the province of B.C. at the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals (FCMF) National Music Competition in Edmonton. There, he was awarded the top prize in the piano category. As the piano winner, Izik-Dzurko shared the stage in the final gala concert with top classical voice, musical theatre, woodwind, brass, strings, and chamber music performers from across Canada. At the conclusion of the concert, the adjudicators from each of the different disciplines met briefly as a jury and agreed that Izik-Dzurko’s performance was deserving of the festival’s Grand Award.
Rather than rest on his laurels, Izik-Dzurko now prepares a new program to perform at the biennial B.C. Registered Music Teacher’s Association (BCRMTA) piano competition, being held Sept. 23 in Vancouver. He will represent the Shuswap branch of the BCRMTA as he competes with seven other advanced students from around the province who have been selected to represent their regions. In the 2015 version of the competition, Izik-Dzurko placed third overall and was awarded with the best interpretation of a Canadian composition.
Meanwhile in Salmon Arm, an army of volunteers, coordinated by Dhane Merriman was busy transforming the sanctuary at First United Church into “The Nexus,” what is sure to become the heart of Salmon Arm’s performing arts community for years to come. In addition to recent upgrades to the air conditioning system, the front platform of the sanctuary has been replaced by a full-sized stage area of over 1,000 square feet. Attention was paid to the flooring surface of the stage to ensure that it would be suitable for dance and orchestral performances alike. In addition, the wings on either side of the stage were renovated to better accommodate performers.
The official opening of “The Nexus” will take place on Friday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. featuring a solo piano performance by Izik-Dzurko. Tickets are twenty dollars and a no-host wine and cheese reception will follow the performance.
Please call Catherine at 250-517-0009 for tickets and more information.