Announced just last month as the Royal Conservatory’s inaugural Artist in Residence, Stewart Goodyear is already making good on his commitment to ensuring that the next three years will be a musically inspiring journey – for himself, audiences and RCM students. His work with the GGS begins with two upcoming events involving both current students and alumni.
On Friday, December 10, Stewart will make his first master class appearance as part of his new RCM role. As is the case for the majority of our master class offerings, these two sessions in Mazzoleni Hall (11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2:30-4:30 p.m.) will be open to the public, free of charge.
Dean James Anagnoson had this to say about this exciting addition to our already robust master class program, “When you think of a master class artist, the wealth of knowledge that Stewart has in addition to his uncanny musical insight in virtually any composer, that’s what he brings to the stage before he hears a student play. So for our students to have that kind of a musician to play for in master class will be incredible.”
Associate Dean Barry Shiffman is also enthusiastic about how these events, and those to come over the next three years, will inspire the entire GGS community. “He is at the point now in his career where he has so much information, much more than he can ever share on the stage. You can only play so many concerts, make so many recordings, and I think that he wants to get that information out.”
The GGS master class program is generously supported by Stephen & Jenifer McDonald. Please note that Proof of Vaccination is in effect at The Royal Conservatory and you will need to RSVP online no later than 24 hours prior if you plan to attend.
In a concert now rescheduled to February 9, 2022, Stewart will take the Koerner Hall stage to perform the world premiere of his piano quintet based on themes from Ludwig van Beethoven (with the Penderecki String Quartet), followed by Liszt’s transcription of LvB’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor. Joining him for this monumental performance is a quartet of GGS alums - Jonelle Sills (ADP ’18, soprano), Beste Kalender (ADP ’14, mezzo-soprano), Zachary Rioux (BMus ’19, tenor) and Korin Thomas-Smith (2020-21 Rebanks Fellow, baritone) – as well as members of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
Spanning all three of the GGS’ programs, these four emerging artists have all experienced considerable success since graduating. Zachary and Korrin are currently pursuing further education, at the Academy of Vocal Arts and Yale respectively, while Jonelle and Beste both maintain busy schedules of recital and opera appearances across Canada.
Tickets for this event are available from the Koerner Hall box office – for both the in-person event and the online stream, which will be available for seven days on RoyalConservatory.Live.
