Q. What place were you born and where do you live now?
A. I was born in Montréal, grew up in Calgary, spent summers sailing around Vancouver Island on tallships as a teen and now live in Toronto.
Q. What is your favourite era/genre of music to perform?
A. As much as I love fin-de-siècle Vienna, I do really love conducting music from about 1915 to 1950. It has depth and angularity and is usually not for the faint of heart.
Q. Who are your musical influences and what do you love about their music?
A. There are many musicians I admire. I have huge respect for Paavo Järvi for his attention to details and knowledge of the score. Andrés Orozco-Estrada is a conductor I love for his fire and commitment. Valery Gergiev is, to me, a wonderful genius, who has created and built so much with so many orchestras over so many years. His style is unique; his knowledge base is phenomenal. I love watching him work.
Q. Your favourite food (only one!)
A. Florentine Lasagna
Q. Favourite book recommendation
A. The Brothers Karamazon by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Q. Your most memorable performance? Where were you and who were you performing with and why was it memorable?
A. Probably my début with the New York Phil. I never imagined that I would get to conduct them so it was a shock and a treat.
Q. Something unique or unusual about you.
A. I love commercial aviation and have my Pilots license. (Amazing, our first two guest conductors of the season both have their pilot’s license!)
Q. How long have you been a conductor
A. I started playing instruments around age 8. I have been conducting professionally for about 15 years. .
Q. What are you most looking forward to about performing with VIS this year?
A. I am most looking forward to new relationships with the musicians and learning how they work best together. I have heard a lot about the Vancouver Island Symphony and know many conductors who have worked with the orchestra; as such, I am really excited to finally be able to meet the Orchestra in the capacity of Guest Conductor.