Who Cares About the String Quartet? An Artistic Director Panel Discussion

Soundstreams’ Bridges Emerging Composers Program week presents this free workshop.

What is the place of the string quartet on today’s contemporary stage? Join Artistic Directors from some of Canada’s leading new music presenters and ensembles for a panel discussion on commissioning and programming traditional chamber formations, like the string quartet, in contemporary new music contexts. The conversation will explore curatorial priorities, the pipeline of artist development for both performers and composers, and the practical considerations of balancing familiar formations with new music styles in artistic programming.

This event is free but space is limited – please register to reserve your spot.

In-Person Attendance

Virtual Attendance

If you have registered to join remotely, livestream links will be shared via email on the day of the event using the email you used to sign up.

panelists:

Olivia Ansell, Artistic Director (Luminato Festival)

Olivia Ansell is the Artistic Director of Luminato Festival, presenting her inaugural festival programme in June 2025. She concluded her tenure as Festival Director of Sydney Festival, completing her fourth and final festival in January 2025. Previously, Olivia spent three years as Head of Contemporary Performance for Sydney Opera House Presents. A graduate of Queensland University of Technology, the Australia Council’s Executive Leadership Program and Chief Executive Women Leadership Program Sydney, Olivia was voted one of Vivid Sydney’s Top 100 Creative Catalysts. She is also a lecturer in Movement for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Con Opera School.

Roman Borys, Artistic & Executive Director (Music Toronto)

For more than three decades, cellist and producer Roman Borys has distinguished himself as one of Canada’s leading artistic voices. A founding member of the three-time Juno Award-winning Gryphon Trio, Roman, violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon and pianist Jamie Parker have released 22 acclaimed recordings on Analekta, Naxos, and other labels; toured internationally since 1993; and broken new artistic ground through cross-genre collaborations and multimedia performances. Read more…

Carissa Klopoushak, Artistic Director (Ottawa Chamberfest)

Carissa Klopoushak has made a name for herself as a curious, creative, and versatile musician. She leads a multifaceted musical life as a violinist, violist, chamber musician, orchestral player, and curator. A charismatic and engaging performer, Carissa’s playing has been described as “the complete package of sensitive musicianship and effortless technique” (E-Gré Competition). Based in Ottawa, Canada, she is a proud member of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Ironwood Quartet, and serves as Artistic Director of Ottawa Chamberfest.

Mervon Mehta, Executive Director, Performing Arts (The Royal Conservatory)

Since April of 2009, Mehta has been the Executive Director of Performing Arts for The Royal Conservatory. He oversaw the launch of Koerner Hall and is responsible for programming Koerner Hall’s successful series of classical, jazz, world music, and pop concerts, as well as overseeing all of the other performances and events throughout The Conservatory’s home at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning. He has served the arts community in various capacities, including acting as co-chair of the International Society of Performing Arts Congress in Toronto; as a juror for the Juno Awards and the OSM Concours; and as a grant adjudicator for the City of Toronto, the Toronto Arts Council, and the Ontario Arts Council. He also serves on the board of Intercultural Journeys in Philadelphia and is a member of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee. Read more…

This event is presented in partnership with: