Cecilia Concert's presents Marc Djokic on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 2 p.m.

photo credit: Marc Djokic at marcdjokic.com

Cecilia Concerts presents
Trio Tangere with

Marc Djokic

Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m. 

Lilian Piercey Concert Hall, 

Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, Halifax

The concert opens with a special performance by prize-winning young Halifax pianist Devin Huang, who is also a Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship recipient.

From Cecilia Concert's press release:

Violinist Marc Djokic, originally from Halifax but now residing in Montréal, has been praised for his rhythmic sense and natural musical phrasing. Known for his masterful and virtuosic performances, Djokic recently won the Prix Goyer, which is the biggest prize in Canada, and one of the largest in the world, for a collaborative artist emerging in classical music.

Djokic, who is a Nova Scotia Talent Trust multiple scholarship recipient, returns to his native Halifax for a special concert on February 24th with distinguished classical guitarists Jérôme Ducharmen and Louis Trépanier. Winner of the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition, Ducharmenholds a diploma from the Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique de Montréal and a doctorate degree in music from Université de Montréal.

Trio Tangere will perform works by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Astor Piazzolla, Claude Debussy, Christine Donkin, Matthias Maute, Béla Bartók, and Clarice Assad. 

“This collaboration is special because it combines the sounds of two types of string instruments, plucked & bowed,” says Djokic, who appears frequently as soloist with Canada’s top orchestras and in chamber music festivals around the world. 

“Having two guitarists in the group exchanging lead and rhythm really expands on the potential of the guitar sound. It allows the group to explore more music and arranging possibilities. We play music originally written for our instrumentation, but we can also arrange and play other music with multiple voicing.”

The performance marks the trio’s first performance in Nova Scotia. 

“I’m really excited to show the Tangere lads my hometown and introduce them to our audience,” says Djokic. “I always feel honoured to come back home to perform in Halifax. The city has become a highlight destination for musicians from all over the world and our audience is always welcoming of visiting talent. I never take for granted the opportunity to perform in my hometown.” 

The violinist was Cecilia Concerts’ Musician-In-Residence in 2009/2010.

Presented by Cecilia Concerts, the concert takes place Sunday, February 24th at 2pm at Lilian Piercey Concert Hall within the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. Tickets ($35 Adult, $25 Senior, $15 Students, $10 Children) are available online at ceciliaconcerts.ca, by phone at 902-423-0143, and at the door while they last.

Meet Devin Huang, one of the Talent Trust's Youngest Scholarship Recipients

Devin Huang began studying piano in 2013, at the age of seven. He one of our youngest scholarship reicpients, receiving scholarships in 2017 and 2018.

Receiving news of a scholarship can change an artist's life.

You’ll meet Devin and his mother, Jennifer Wang, in our 75th anniversary scholarship campaign video.

Devin studies with Lynn Stodola, who teaches young gifted pianists after retiring from a distinguished career with the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Competitions can be a big component in the development of a young pianist. Devin was one of the winners of the 2017/18 Chebucto Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, which earned him the honour of performing with the Orchestra.

He won a gold medal at the 2017 Canadian Music Competition National Finals in Gatineau, PQ, in his age category.

At the 2017 Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival, Devin placed first in Piano Solo (Chopin – Senior), first place in Piano Solo (Bach – 16 years and under), and first place in Piano Sonata (Junior). 

Hours of practice are required to master
piano. Devin is a committed student.

He was recommended by both junior and senior adjudicators to perform at the Festival’s Gala night as Junior Pianist.

He received the inaugural Gordon Murray Rising Star Award at the Gala, and was chosen to represent the Halifax Festival in the Junior Piano and Chamber Music categories at the Provincial Finals.

Devin most recently performed at the Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala, which celebrates excellence in artistic achievement and includes the announcement of two major awards, the Portia White Prize (not to be confused with the Talent Trust Portia White Award) and the Lieutenant Governor's Masterworks Award.

We’d like to thank Devin and Jennifer for allowing our production team into their home and working so hard to help create our video. Jennifer went above and beyond the call of duty for a non-actor. We would also like to thank Lynn Stodola for all her assistance.




Want to be part of the campaign to double Talent Trust scholarship funds? Click here to donate. And thank you!

Devin Huang and Alex Yang Shine Bright at the Kiwanis Music Festival

The Gala Recital for the 2018 Halifax Kiwanis Music Festival took place on May 5 at the Music Room in Halifax. Two Talent Trust scholarship recipients received accolades for Junior Piano.

Devin Huang (pictured with his teacher Lynn Stodola) received the Adjudicator’s Recommendation to the 2018 Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival for Junior Piano. 

He was last year’s recipient of the first ever Gordon Murray Rising Star Award. He captured first place in each of his seven piano repertoire classes, and received an unprecedented mark of 98 in his Chopin class. 

Devin’s achieved great things during the past year. He was one of the winners of the 2017/18 Chebucto Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, an honour which gave him the privilege of performing with the Orchestra on April 21, 2018.

Alex  (Zixuan) Yang received the 2018 Gordon Murray Rising Star Award, which was presented at the May 5 Kiwanis Music Festival  Gala.

Alex plays at the RCM level 7/8, and was named as the Alternate to Devin Huang for the Provincial Festival Recommendation in Junior Piano.

He was a Canadian Music Competition national finalist in 2017, were he also received an Honorable Mention in the Scholarship Competition for Junior Piano.

The Provincial Music Festival Competition dates are Friday June 1 and Saturday June 2, 2018. The Gala Concert will be held on Saturday June 2 at 7pm at Denton Hall Auditorium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

This story was first published in our May newsletter. Subscribe to have all our monthly news delivered to your inbox!

Thank you Devin Huang for a great concert at the RBC branch in Halifax!

l-r back row: Justice Arthur LeBlanc, Elizabeth MacDonald, Lynn Stodola, Jennifer Wang and Devin Hung front.

Devin Huang played seven pieces for us. Everyone present was amazed. Thank you Devin!

Thank you to Devin's mtother Jennifer Wang that was willing to spend lots of time helping organizing it all, Lynn Stodola, Devin's piano teacher that helped him chose the music, and Elizabeth MacDonald, RBC Branch Manager for all your support. After the concert we met Justice Arthur LeBlanc. 

We thank the RBC Foundation for their ongoing support!

Today June 26, 2017 meet Devin Huang at RBC Hollis Street in Halifax. Devin will play for you!

Today June 26, 2017 meet Devin Huang at RBC: 1871 Hollis Street in Halifax. 
Devin will play for you at 12 p.m. 

Devin and his mother Jennifer are helping the Talent Trust to thank the RBC Foundation for their ongoing support. 



Donate today to the Talent Trust and show us that you believe in the Creativity of Nova Scotians as well.