International Prize-Winning Harpist to Tour Atlantic Canada with Debut Atlantic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2023
International Prize-Winning Harpist to Tour Atlantic Canada with Debut Atlantic
K’JIUPUKTUK/HALIFAX, NS – Lauded as “a huge talent [with] hidden power and amazing maturity” (Bart van Oort), Taiwanese-American harpist Noël Wan is the first Taiwanese harpist to win Gold Medal in the USA International Harp Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious harp competitions, and is the youngest First Prize winner in the history of the World Harp Competition. Wan is set to embark on a two-week tour with Debut Atlantic, including six concerts in Nova Scotia and one in New Brunswick. Touring between October 7-21, 2023, she will enthrall audiences with a program titled “écriture féminine” (women’s writing), comprising of pieces all written by women composers—some of whom are/were also harpists—who were inspired by the harp’s rich history, diverse musical traditions, and their own deeply personal experiences.
Debut Atlantic is thrilled to present high-calibre artists to audiences across Atlantic Canada. Noël Wan will begin her tour in Antigonish, NS at the Antigonish Performing Arts Series on Saturday, October 7th at 7:30pm. Next, she heads over to Fredericton, NB, where she will appear at MusicUNB on Wednesday, October 11th for a 7:30pm performance. Afterwards, she is traveling to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Pictou, NS as part of the deCoste Centre for Art & Creativity’s “On the Road” series on Thursday, October 12th at 7:30pm. Wan then travels to Dartmouth, NS on Saturday, October 14th, where she will perform with the Dartmouth Community Concert Association at 7:00pm. On Sunday, October 16th at 7:30pm, she will appear with Les Productions Le Moulin in Clare, NS. Wan then travels to Glen Haven, NS to perform at Paul’s Hall on Friday, October 20th at 7:30pm. Wan finishes her Debut Atlantic tour on Saturday, October 21st at 11am, where she will perform a morning concert with Musique Royale in Mahone Bay, NS.
In addition to concert engagements, Noël Wan will be working with young students through the Debut Goes to School! program. This season, Debut Goes to School offers students throughout Atlantic Canada in-person access to outstanding classical and global music artists. Through this program, students are provided the opportunity to participate in live, interactive learning sessions and other events for various age groups and levels of ability.
Debut Atlantic wants to recognize the partners and sponsors that come together to bring these incredible artists to communities and venues of all sizes across our region. It would not be possible without the generous support of sustaining partners, including the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and the Province of New Brunswick. Debut would also like to thank its educational partner, the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and its season partners, including the Halifax Regional Municipality, The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, Support4Culture, the Craig Foundation, Pink Larkin, Halcraft Printers, Strategic Arts Management, and InnVest Hotels (Comfort Inn).
Please see the enclosed list of concert dates and artist biography, and come share in a unique performance, rich with passion and exploration.
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As one of Canada’s most prestigious classical music organizations, Debut Atlantic is committed to developing young artists and establishing new initiatives that enhance the cultural life of Atlantic Canada. Since 1979 it has treated Atlantic audiences to Canada’s most promising young musicians. Celebrating 43 years, Debut Atlantic has featured over 400 artists, gracing the stages of venues from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Full details on Debut Atlantic’s concert seasons and educational programs can be found at www.debutatlantic.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Erin Sparks – Executive Director
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
erin@debutatlantic.ca
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Elizabeth Upson Perez – Program Officer
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
elizabeth@debutatlantic.ca
TOUR SCHEDULE—NOËL WAN
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, October 7, 2023
Antigonish Performing Arts Series
Immaculata Hall, St. F.X. University
2360 Notre Dame Ave.
902-867-3909
people.stfx.ca/msteinit/schedule.htm
Fredericton, New Brunswick
7:30pm, October 11, 2023
MusicUNB
University of New Brunswick
Memorial Hall
9 Bailey Dr.
Pictou, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, October 12, 2023
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
deCoste Performing Centre for Arts & Creativity
1-800-353-5338
decostecentre.ca
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
7:00pm, October 14, 2023
Woodlawn United Church
Dartmouth Community Concert Association
54 Woodlawn Rd.
dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca/index.html
Clare, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, October 15, 2023
Le Richelieu
Les Productions Le Moulin
(902) 769-3288
Glen Haven, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, October 20, 2023
Paul’s Hall
12286 Peggys Cove Rd.
paulshallmusic@gmail.com
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
11:00am, October 21, 2023
Musique Royale
Cecilia’s Retreat
1199 Oakland Rd. RR#2
musiqueroyale.com