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Maneli Pirzadeh (Senior Piano)
Praised for her sensitivity and intensity, pianist Maneli
Pirzadeh is considered among the finest musicians of her
generation. Her ardour and refinement have captivated the
enthusiasm of both public and critics alike. Born in Iran, the
Canadian pianist leads an active career as soloist, chamber
musician and pedagogue.
Maneli Pirzadeh performs regularly in Canada, the United
States, Mexico, and Europe. She has been guest soloist
with orchestras such the Montreal I Musici, the Laval
Symphony Orchestra, the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra,
Appassionata and the North York Symphony Orchestra.
As a recitalist, she has appeared in the Pro Musica Series
at Place des Arts in Montreal, at the Glenn Gould Studio, at the Ford Center for the
Performing Arts in Toronto, at the Saskatoon Center of the Arts and at the Banff Centre.
In 2006 and 2008, invited by the Canadian Embassy, she gave several concerts and
master classes in various Mexican cities. Maneli Pirzadeh has also performed numerous
concerts recorded by CBC Radio nationwide.
She has been winner of prestigious awards such as first prize of Prix d’Europe, first prize
of the International Stepping Stone, first prize of the National Festival of Music CIBC
Canada and first prize of the Orford Arts Centre International Competition. Additionally,
her recording of Glazunov’s Piano Concerto No.1 with I Musici of Montreal on Chandos
Records has garnered outstanding international reviews for her exceptional performance.
Maneli Pirzadeh has completed an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould Professional
School of Music in Toronto studying with such prestigious masters as Marc Durand,
André Laplante, John Perry and Leon Fleisher. In 2002, under the supervision of Marc
Durand, she obtained her Doctorate from the University of Montreal. Much sought after
pedagogue, she regularly gives master classes in Canada, in the United States and
Mexico and has appeared on the jury of numerous competitions and festivals. Maneli
is currently professor of piano and Head of the piano department at the University of
Montreal and on faculty at the Orford Academy.
Margot Sim (Junior Vocal)
Margot Sim began her musical training in Winnipeg, achieving
performance diplomas in Voice – ARCT, LMM; Piano - ARCT;
Organ - ARCT; and Recorder - AMM. Furthering her vocal
studies at the University of Toronto with Mary Morrison, she
received her Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) and Diploma
in Operatic Performance (with Distinction). Margot has appeared
in opera and musical theatre roles with the Toronto Gilbert
and Sullivan Society, Innis College Theatre (Toronto), and the
Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre. She has worked with the Canadian
Opera Company, the Canadian Opera Company Children’s
Chorus, and received the Metropolitan Opera Silver Anniversary
Award at the regional finals in Minneapolis. Margot has been
a soloist with the Winnipeg Mennonite Oratorio Choir and the
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
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