The Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg, formed in 1894, is the oldest continuously operating musical organization in Winnipeg, and continues its long tradition of providing a stage for some of the talented young Canadian artists about to embark on an international career.  It also provides scholarships to promising young Manitoba musicians, a tradition first introduced in 1915.

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Artistry Embraces Innovation

Luke Nickel

The Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg (WMC) has commissioned a new work, which will have its premiere on February 21. This multi-media work, entitled “Turtles Don’t Smile”, for midi marimba, computer processing and dancer, is the product of student composer Luke Nickel, who is in his third year at the U of M’s Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music.

This performance is featured in "Artistry Embraces Innovation", a unique and multi-disciplinary performance by faculty and students from the Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music.

For the commissioned work, Luke will be joined by Freya Bjorg Olafson, a dance/intermedia artist who works with video, audio, painting and performance. Her creations have been presented and exhibited internationally at festivals and galleries, and also at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Percussionist Jamie Pham rounds out the trio. She has performed with various groups in Winnipeg, including the Winnipeg Singers, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. She also represented Manitoba as an artist at the Canada Summer Games in August 2009.

Luke Nickel has completed many projects and commissions for groups, ensembles and individuals. His works have also been performed by various individuals, including renowned Winnipeg saxophonist Allen Harrington. In 2008-09 Luke completed the ACI mentorship program with Vincent Ho and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, resulting in a reading of his orchestral work L’étoile noyée. In addition to composing, Luke is completing a flute performance degree under the tuition of Jan Kocman.

Sunday, February 21, at 2:00 PM

Winnipeg Art Gallery
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The Doris McLellan Competition
for Solo Performance
with the WSO
2010

Auditions and Finals
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The Nina Zhou concert can be heard on CBC Radio 2

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