NEXT GENERATION ARTISTS
Long ago, music lifted people out of their everyday lives. A thousand years later, it’s still does. Early music is as relevant today as it was a thousand years ago and it’s continually being rejuvenated by successive generations of young artists who bring their unique perspectives and experiences to their work.
For anything to survive and thrive, it needs refreshing. With this in mind, Early Music Vancouver created the Next Generation Artist platform to shine a spotlight on up-and-coming performers and expose audiences to their talent. These artists have the opportunity to perform in our summer festival, receive mentorship, and make connections with new audiences and artists.
We are pleased to have COMTESSA as our fifth annual Next Generation Artists this summer, under the mentorship of Medieval music scholar, vocalist, and harpist, Benjamin Bagby.
EMV’s Fifth Annual Next Generation Artists
See them live in Florigelium on Friday, August 5 at 1pm at Christ Church Cathedral.
COMTESSA is a Montreal-based ensemble dedicated to performing and promoting music from before 1500. Rooted in both research and artistry, we bring this repertoire to life with creativity, authenticity, and a deep love for the music.
Montreal has long been a hub for early music performance and scholarship, but medieval music, some of the most vibrant and expressive music of the past, is still rarely heard here. COMTESSA seeks to change that. We’re building a space where female and non-binary musicians take the lead in exploring and sharing this extraordinary repertoire.
Through collaborations with specialists, scholars, and performers, we craft programs that highlight the depth, beauty, and relevance of medieval music today. Whether through concerts, educational initiatives, or interdisciplinary projects, we’re passionate about bringing this music to audiences in Montreal and across Canada.
At COMTESSA, we’re not just reviving the past, we’re reshaping the future of early music.
Click here to listen to them play.
Previous Next Generation Artists
Hans Grunwald, 2024
Adrienne Hyde, 2024
Ai Horton, 2023
“After living abroad for a few years, I am delighted to be able to return to the west coast (which is the place that I will always call ‘home’) to work with incredible musicians of Early Music Vancouver and to share in the vibrant musical storytelling of Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. To me, the vibrancy of the French Baroque is exemplified by de la Guerre’s vocal works, and I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to bring her characterizations, including that of the beguiling Semelé, to life.”
Elana Cooper, 2023
“EMV was one of the organizations that inspired me to pursue early music as a career and supported me in my early studies. It feels special to be back as a next-generation artist, making music and reconnecting with friends, colleagues, and former teachers.”
Jessica Korotkin, 2023
“I am excited for this opportunity to offer a new perspective on Bach— not Bach the mystique-laden untouchable genius, but Bach the composer whose music has become part of our collective consciousness, brought people together and inspired centuries of artistic innovation. I take a creative approach to historical performance by drawing on Bach’s compositional practices to create entirely new music. My greatest passion is to bridge together the old and the new by drawing on the whimsical, creative, and dramatic spirit of baroque performance and composition.”
Marie Nadeau-Tremblay, 2022
“I had such a blast and got so much out of it. As a young musician just starting my career as a soloist, this experience made me grow a lot. It gave me confidence and really helped me tame my stage fright. The festival people were so helpful and welcoming and the public was enthusiastic. Being in beautiful Vancouver also helped make this a magical, unforgivable experience. I strongly recommend this program to every young musician wishing to take their solo career further!”
Ellen Torrie, 2022
“It was a privilege to be included in EMV’s inaugural Emerging Artist Series. I was so grateful for the opportunity to connect with the community of EMV and to share the music and stories I am so passionate about. EMV is doing important work by nurturing the next generations in this way. I am grateful to carry with me the beautiful experiences I had at EMV as I continue to develop my practice of radically inclusive storytelling through early music.”
