Tapestry Opera's LibLab
Excited to be one of the selected composers for Tapestry Opera’s 2025 Composer-Librettist Laboratory (LIBLAB). This marks the 30th anniversary of the acclaimed program, a cornerstone of new opera creation in Canada.
LIBLAB is a 10-day intensive program where four composers and four writers engage in a cycle of collaborative discovery. I very much look forward to working with my talented colleagues in July, and having the results staged in October as part of Tapestry’s upcoming season.
Upcoming performance in the US
Excited to see my piece “I Heard a Fly Buzz” as one of the selected works for Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 call for scores (from nearly 600 international submissions, and the only selected 
composer) for a performance this July in Winter Park, Florida!
Looking forward to hearing VoxO and Claire Hodge give the second US performance of this piece.
Upcoming Orchestral World-Premiere
Very excited for the upcoming world premiere of “Visions of Oasis” (تصویر باغ) for Iranian traditional singer and orchestra commissioned by Canadian Golha Orchestra in April 23rd in Toronto with the incredible Mahbobeh Golzari as the soloist and Kousha Nakhaei as the conductor.
Get your tickets for this special performance before it sells out: https://canadiangolhaorchestra.com/2024-25/karevan
Many thanks to Toronto Arts Council for their generous support in funding this commission.
Workshop at the Canadian Opera Company
Had a great time this week running a workshop for Canadian Opera Company’s newly commissioned opera, “La Reine Garçon” alongside COC’s Music Director, the inimitable Johannes Debus.
We had a chance to dissect some aspects of this brand new opera for our young audiences right before the performance, and also do some very fun creative activities.
In Ottawa and the National Arts Centre Orchestra
Excited to be one of the selected composers for American Composers Orchestra’s Earshot Readings with the National Arts Centre Orchestra! I’ll be heading off to Ottawa next week to hear my orchestral piece “Chained” with the NACO under the baton of Henry Kennedy!
Making my European Orchestra Debut
Had a fantastic time conducting the world-premiere of my latest orchestral piece “Vanishing Lanterns” with Danubia Orchestra at the Liszt Academy in Budapest last night, making my orchestral debut as a composer and conductor in Europe.
Many thanks to Dunakanyar Kortárs Zenei Fesztivál for inviting me (especially Bence Kutrik for the commission), the Danubia Zenekar / Danubia Orchestra and their fantastic Music Director Máté Hámori.
New Commission finished for the "Happenstancers"
So happy to put the double barline on a new chamber piece for The Happenstancers for a premiere in 2025! “Misshapen” is a Baroque Dance Suite but with a contemporary lens for English Horn, Bass Clarinet, Viola and Cello.
I can’t wait for the amazing Happenstancers to bring this whacky piece to life next year. Thank you Brad Cherwin for commissioning this piece!
Also a huge thanks to the Toronto Arts Council and SOCAN Foundation - Fondation SOCAN who generously funded this new work through their commission and creation grants.
Now unto a whole lot of orchestral projects for the next year!
World Premiere of "Fragments" in May!
I can hardly wait for May 11th and the world premiere of “Fragments” to be performed by the amazing Cantabile Chamber Singers and the Ton Beau String Quartet.
“Fragments” is piece that explores anxieties, memories and the dream-worlds of displaced folks. I was thrilled to work with the amazing poet, Nika Khanjani who interviewed several displaced people, and turned their stories into the powerful text for this piece.
I cannot wait for this performance, and I hope t see you there!
This concert will also feature some amazing Canadian choral music that you do not want to miss!
We’re also immensely thankful to the Canada Council for the Arts for funding this entire project.
"Recurrence" Released!
OUR ALBUM “RECURRENCE” IS FINALLY OUT!
5 new compositions by some of Canada’s top composers paired with some of this country’s most high-profile performers promises to be an exceptional listening experience.
I am so honoured to have my piece “Eroded” on this album and also act as the pianist in the record as well.
Link to the entire album: https://leaf-music.lnk.to/LM256
Special thanks to Leaf Music for producing this album as well our funders Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario and The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR)
Perfromance by Hamiton Philharmonic Orchestra
Very happy to learn that the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has programmed my string orchestra piece "Suspended Doorways" as part of their 2023-2024 season on May 1st 2024 under the baton of maestra Gemma New.
“Suspended Doorways” was commissioned by the Whispering River Orchestra in 2020 as part of Riversongs commission awards. The piece is based on a painting titled “It is what it is. Imperfections are doorways.” by Northern Ontario First Nation artist Michael Cywink.
To date, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonia Toronto have also performed this piece, and I cannot wait for the 4th performance of this work in canada.
A great time conducting the Array Ensemble in Toronto this week performing the music of Canadian composers Claude Vivier, Linda Caitlin Smith and Henry Kucharzyk with some superb colleagues.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Open House Performance
ICOT was thrilled to be performing as part of Toronto Symphony Orchestra's Open House at Roy Thompson Hall this September.
I had a great time performing some solo piano music, as well as 4-hand piano with my good friend, Maziar Heidari.
New opera project in Atlanta, Georgia
I’m excited to be in Atlanta this June writing a new chamber opera with The Atlanta Opera as part of the 96 Hour Opera project. I’m very excited to be collaborating with the NYC based librettist, Isabella Dawis on this opera!
More info: https://lnkd.in/etDrmcvn
Nominated for Juno Awards 2022
Still in absolute disbelief to learn that my song cycle "Breathing in the Shadows" was nominated for The JUNO Awards 2022, "Classical Composition of the Year" category. This is a huge honour for me, and I am absolutely humbled to be nominated amongst some of Canada's finest artists. Many thanks to the Juno Awards, CARAS and Academy delegates and judges. "Breathing in the Shadows" was commissioned by the incredible Maureen Batt in 2019 through the generous support of Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario and was later recorded and released by Leaf Music with the beautiful piano playing of Tara Scott. Many thanks to the album's producer, Jeremy VanSlyke, Recording Engineer Pouya Hamidi and all the other amazing artists involved in this album. I am hugely indebted to all of them.
Toronto Symphony 2021 Explore The Score
Absolutely thrilled to have been selected as one of Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s 2021 “Explore the Score” composers. Today the TSO rehearsed, performed and recorded my piece “Suspended Doorways”. It was an absolute honour to have some of Canada’s top musician play and record my music.
This piece was originally commissioned by Whispering River Music orchestra and premiered in September of 2020 in Perry Sound.
This work will receive its next Toronto performance in May by Sinfonia Toronto!
Thrilled to announce the release of my second composition album, "Microlocking" by People|Places|Records.
"Microlocking" is now available for streaming and purchase on all major streaming platforms and online retailers. Click here for a quick listen: https://hypeddit.com/3rq4ix
This EP features a series of my chamber music that deal with minimalism and microtonality.