James Campbell  

Clarinet | Parry Sound

Called “Canada’s pre-eminent clarinetist and wind soloist” by the Toronto Star, James has been Artistic Director of the Festival of the Sound since 1985 and is a member of the Order of Canada.

Keith Dyrda
Trombone | Winnipeg

Trombonist for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Juno Award nominee, Keith played with the Canadian Brass at age 21 and has since performed around the world.

Madeline Hildebrand
Piano | Winnipeg

An award-winning and busy touring pianist, Madeline has studied with Jane Coop, performed with composer Philip Glass and toured across Canada with soprano Sarah Kirsch.

JIM HISCOTT 

Composer | Winnipeg

Jim studied theoretical particle physics before switching to music composition in 1971. A button accordionist, he has since led an illustrious career in composing and performing around the globe.

Gwen Hoebig 
VIOLin | OTTAWA

Gwen is WSO’s concertmaster and a champion of new music. She has given the Canadian premieres of many new violin concertos by the likes of Eckhardt-Gramatté, Carrabré, Glass and more.

YURI HOOKER
CELLO | WINNIPEG

Principal cellist of the WSO since 2004, Yuri is well-known for his passionate and soulful interpretations, highly acclaimed solo appearances, and as an inspiring and dedicated teacher. 

DAVID JALBERT
PIANO | OTTAWA

Named by the CBC as one of the 15 best Canadian pianists of all time, David performs regularly around the globe and has received international recognition for his solo recordings.

PAUL JEFFRey 

TRUMPET | WINNIPEG

Paul plays with the WSO, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Musik Barock and Groundswell. He has also played for orchestras in Korea, Malaysia and across North America. 

Aiden Kleer

Horn | Winnipeg

Aiden plays for the WSO and has performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, TSO, Canadian Opera Company, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, and in concerts aired on CBC Radio 2.

Carissa Klopoushak

Violin | OTTAWA

Born in Saskatoon, Carissa is a member of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Ironwood Quartet and was named Artistic Director of Ottawa Chamberfest in March of 2021. 

Isabelle Lavoie

Bass trombone | Winnipeg

Isabelle has performed with the Canadian Opera Company, National Ballet of Canada, TSO, WSO, and Macao Orchestra. She is a member of the all-female brass ensemble, Monarch Brass.

JAmmie Lee

Piano | Brandon

Jammie studied at the prestigious Musical Academy for gifted children at the Seoul Arts Center before coming to Canada. He has since received numerous national and international awards.

StÉphane Lemelin 

piano | montreal

Stéphane is well-known to audiences throughout Canada and regularly tours in the US, Europe and Asia. He has a vast repertory of music and has completed more than 25 recordings.

JETHRO MARKS

Viola | Ottawa

Jethro is the principal viola of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. He has performed solo and as a chamber musician throughout the US, China, Mexico, Europe and Canada.

Paul Marleyn

Artistic Director

Cello | Ottawa

Paul tours regularly in Canada and has performed in the US, Europe, and Asia. He is an Anglo-Canadian cellist with a broad and eclectic repertoire and is the founder of this festival.

Rachel Mercer

Cello | Ottawa

Described as a "pure chamber musician" (Globe and Mail) creating "moments of pure magic" (Toronto Star), cellist Rachel Mercer has performed to audiences across five continents. 

Kate Moran 

Viola | Ottawa

Kate is an award-winning violist with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. She is also a violinist, teacher, undergraduate student and conductor of the Manchester Youth String Orchestra. 

Sam Nadurak

Cello | Winnipeg

Sam studies cello at the University of Ottawa. He has played in various orchestras and composes in many genres. One of his pieces premiered at the 2017 Murau International Music Festival in Austria.

Elation Pauls

violin | Winnipeg

WSO’s Assistant Principal Second Violin, Elation has collaborated with chamber musicians for performances internationally. She is Co-Founder and AD of the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy and Festival.

Isaac Pulford

trumpet | Winnipeg

Nova Scotia-born Isaac has studied internationally and played with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, touring Asia and Australia. He now plays second trumpet with the WSO.

Andrea ratuski 

Host | Winnipeg

Andrea has been Agassiz’s festival host for many years, well-loved for her candid pre-concert chats with featured artists. She’s also well-known and admired for her many years as a CBC producer and host.

Dan Scholz

viola | Winnipeg

Dan is principal violist of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and WSO, and has performed widely as a solo artist and chamber musician, touring Canada and Europe. He performs and teaches at major Canadian festivals.

Karl Stobbe

Violin | Winnipeg

A highly accomplished Canadian violinist, Karl is a concertmaster, soloist, chamber musician, and an audience favourite in small settings or large venues. He is also passionate about violin repair and construction.

Axel Strauss

violin | MONtREAL

Axel is German-born, award-winning violinist who has toured as a soloist with orchestras in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. He has also guest conducted the Berlin Philharmonic and Montreal Symphony Orchestra and worked with other world-renowned artists.

Paul Williamson

piano | MONtREAL

Included in CBC Music’s 2017 edition of “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30,” Paul Williamson is quickly establishing himself as one of Canada’s promising young pianists.