2025/26 Concert Season
7:00pm
(6:30 pre-concert talk)
Lions Hall
This concert features one of Canada’s national treasures, the master percussionist of the South Indian Carnatic tradition, Trichy Sankaran. The concert will showcase both a virtuosic performance and Sri Sankaran’s captivating onstage audience rapport. He has been called a “doyen among the percussionists of India”. He will be joined by V.V.S. Murari, also an award-winning performer and master of his art form, something he inherited from his family line of acclaimed Carnatic violinists in India.
Resonance: Music for Strings & Piano
South Community Hall
Violinist Jasper Wood, UBC faculty member and former Director of the Galiano Concert Society, is a longtime favourite on Galiano. He returns with three distinguished colleagues for an evening of chamber music that spans fiery virtuosity, intimate lyricism, and timeless beauty, featuring Dvořák’s radiant Piano Quartet in E-flat Major.
Joining him are pianist David Riley, Wood’s collaborator of more than 30 years and Professor of Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at the University of Oregon; cellist Song Hee Lee, member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra; and violist Ryan Davis, the newest faculty member of UBC’s School of Music. Together, they bring world-class artistry to the Galiano stage.
Anne-Elise Keefer and Ed Norman
3:30pm
St Margaret’s Church
Come and enjoy our favourite organist, Ed Norman, accompanied by prize-winning flautist and piccolo player, Anne-Elise Keefer. After graduating with a Master’s Degree in Music Performance and Literature, Anne-Elise received three Canada Council Arts Grants to pursue doctoral studies with Norwegian Flautist Ornulf Gulbransen. She is a veteran of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and continues her studies by attending master classes with James Galway and many other great musicians.
7:30pm
South Community Hall
Back by popular demand, Ed Norman will be accompanying another Buster Keaton’s classic comedy on organ. Soundtrack technology was not fully developed until the 1930s and until then an organist – or sometimes a pianist – would play throughout the movie. To match the music to the action a musician has to memorize the entire movie and get the timing exactly right. This performance as a special price, $20 for all!
Sherryl Sewepagaham and Chris Andrew
South Community Hall
POSTPONED – new date TBD
This concert features Cree-Dene singer and composer Sherryl Sewepagaham from little Red River Cree Nation in Alberta collaborating with Jazz pianist Chris Andrew. Sherryl has gained international recognition for her work as a Cree singer and composer. She has performed for Queen Elizabeth and at Carnegie Hall. She also teaches elementary school children, focusing on Indigenous Music Education and First Nations songs for the classroom. Chris is a multi-award winning jazz pianist from Powell River, BC. He is also a member of the award winning contemporary jazz ensemble, the Hutchinson Andrew Trio.
We will reschedule this concert for a later date this season. Check back soon for an update!
Suzie LeBlanc with Alexander Weimann, Chloe Meyers and Grégoire Jeay
South Community Hall
All these BC-based artists have received international recognition. Baroque soprano Suzie LeBlanc specialises in 17th and 18th Century repertoire. As an actress, she played the leading female character in the feature film, Lost Song, which won the Toronto International Film Festival award for best Canadian film in 2008. She has been recognised with the Order of Canada and four honorary doctorates for her contributions in the area of Baroque music. Alexander Weimann is a highly sought after ensemble director, soloist and chamber music partner. Violinist Chloe Meyers performs with early music ensembles across North America and Grégoire Jeay, a Baroque flute specialist, is recognised for his musicality, expressiveness and improvisation.
James Campbell and the Cheng² Duo
South Community Hall
The Cheng² Duo are a brother and sister chamber ensemble comprised of cellist Bryan Cheng and pianist Silvie Cheng. Their playing has been described as ‘brilliant, exhilarating, absolutely captivating’. Brian Cheng and Silvie Cheng have been making music together for nearly their entire lives and their artistry has left lasting impressions worldwide.
South Hall
Experience the artistry of Bharatanatyam in SAMAR: {summit; kama}, a captivating performance led by acclaimed dancer Sujit Vaidya. Accompanied by live Carnatic music, this presentation honours the choreographies of his guru, A. Lakshman, while exploring the layered meanings of “samar”—from the Sanskrit representation of Kama, the God of Eros, to the Urdu interpretation of a summit or peak. Through intricate movement and evocative storytelling, SAMAR delves into themes of desire, intimacy, and transcendence.
Featuring an exceptional ensemble of musicians—Curtis Andrews (mridangam), Arno Kamolika (nattuvangam), Sheema Balakrishna (vocals), and Shriram Rajagopalan (violin)—this production brings the full depth of Bharatanatyam’s musical and rhythmic traditions to life. Beyond its technical mastery, SAMAR challenges colonial hierarchies in the performing arts, celebrating South Asian classical traditions while engaging with contemporary conversations on queerness, stillness, and gaze. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness Bharatanatyam in its most immersive and thought-provoking form.
2024/25 Concert Season
Ed Norman – Organ
Sunday, December 22
4:00pm
St. Margaret’s Anglican
As well as joining Tom Allen and Friends (see below) Galiano’s celebrated Ed Norman will be playing a Christmas Organ Extravaganza at St. Margaret’s Church.
Lions Hall
Acclaimed pianist known for his dazzling sound, with 7 Juno Award nominations and numerous accolades, including the West Coast Music Award for Musician of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
Since moving to Canada from Germany in the mid-1990s, he has forged a successful career, blending jazz, blues and pop to create a unique style, earning him a reputation as one of the country’s best jazz pianists.
Sounding Thunder, the Song of Francis Pegahmagabow
7:30pm
South Hall
Performed by some of Canada’s greatest classical musicians including James Campbell, Beverley Johnston and Guy Few, Sounding Thunder includes the spectacular singing of Jodi Contin Baker and the moving acting of Sage Cloud and Dr. Brian McInnis, great-grandson of Francis Pegahmagabow. The music is by Juno-nominated Canadian composer, Timothy Corlis and the spoken word libretto, by award-winning Indigenous writer, Armand Ruffo.
7:30pm
South Hall
Ed Norman will be playing for Buster Keaton’s iconic 1926 comedy. Soundtrack technology was not fully developed until the 1930s and until then an organist – or sometimes a pianist – would play throughout the movie. To match the music to the action a musician has to memorize the entire movie and get the timing exactly right.
South Hall
A narrated musical journey through the composer’s 400km trek to Lübeck. Allen is joined by musicians Suzie LeBlanc, Order of Canada opera singer, Lori Gemmell harp, David Harding viola, Leslie Dala pianist; guest appearance by Ed Norman.
7:30pm
South Hall
Sitarist and composer, is known for his genre-defying approach to music making. Trained in Indian/Pakistani Western classical music and jazz, he creates a new sound that has earned him two Western Canadian music award nominations.
His innovative approach to the sitar has led to performances for royalty and heads of state. He has been called ‘a musician for the ages, pushing the boundaries of the instrument’. Mohamed will be joined by multi-instrumentalist and percussionist, Curtis Andrews and versatile tabla player, Gurdit Singh.
3:00pm
North Hall
Duo Amy and Amir merge musical and cultural expressions, blending Persian and Celtic music to create a unique sound that transcends borders.
Together, they showcase the beauty of cultural exchange through music and create a sound that blends elements of folk traditions and reaches hearts across all borders. Amir is a singer and composer from Iran; Amy plays Celtic harp, piano, accordion and penny whistle.
Mezzo Soprano
3:00pm
South Hall
Critically acclaimed and award-winning mezzo-soprano Marion Newman is Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations with English, Irish and Scottish heritage. Born in Bella Coola and raised in Sooke, BC, she is one of Canada’s most accomplished singers with a diverse repertoire that spans different genres and eras. Nominated for a Dora Award, Newman is renowned for her powerful performances in operas such as Carmen and the Barber of Seville. Marion will be accompanied by pianist, Frances Armstrong.
2022/23 Concert Season
Cheng2 Duo
October 16 (2022)
2:00pm
South Hall
Duo Rendezvous
November 26 (2022)
2:00pm
South Hall
Percussiano 3
March 19 (2023)
7:30pm
South Hall
Van Django
May 12 (2023)
7:30pm
South Hall
We are very pleased to acknowledge the support of:
