Musical Director

Pianist Robert Kortgaard was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and grew up in Calgary, Alberta. He completed his Bachelor and Master's degrees at the Juilliard School in New York City. As a recipient of arts awards from the Canada Council, he furthered his musical studies in Italy and England.

Mr. Kortgaard has performed as a soloist with major Canadian orchestras and has given recitals throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in England, Finland, Portugal, Italy, Indonesia, the Czech Republic and China. He is a favorite collaborator of many of Canada's finest instrumental soloists, vocalists and chamber groups. His performances are frequently heard on CBC Radio, and he has recorded for Centrediscs, Marquis Classics/EMI, CBC Records and Teldec.

Mr. Kortgaard is Artistic Director of the Indian River Festival on Prince Edward Island (recently nominated 'Event of the Year' by the East Coast Music Awards), and the Leith Summer Music Festival in Ontario. He was musician-in-residence at the University of New Brunswick from 1993-1998, and has given piano masterclasses at Universities and Festivals in Canada, Indonesia and China.

Mr. Kortgaard has performed with sopranos Isabel Bayrakdarian, Sumi Jo and Measha Brueggergosman, violinist Joshua Bell, and with Peter Tiefenbach and prima ballerina Veronica Tennant on a new production entitled 'Invitation to the Dance'. He has recorded French and German Cabaret programmes with mezzo-soprano Jean Stilwell for CBC Records. His CD with soprano Wendy Nielsen was nominated for both Juno and East Coast Music Awards. This season he and Ms. Nielsen will perform concerts in Japan and China. Recent engagements include tours with mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, soprano Suzie LeBlanc, the Elmer Iseler Singers, flutist Susan Hoeppner and several performances of duo piano repertoire with Peter Tiefenbach. He also performs and records with cabaret artist, soprano Patricia O'Callaghan.