The Old School House presents the CORDEI Harp and Violin Duo on Aug. 23 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
A unique and rarely heard combination of instruments, Vancouver-based CORDEI creates innovative and colourful programs that are simply spellbinding. For $16 one can see the duo perform on Sunday.
Harpist Albertina Chan is a versatile musician, active in both the contemporary and classical realms. She was recently featured performing concertos by Handel, Vivaldi, and Wagenseil with A Company of Instruments Baroque Orchestra. Other notable performances include playing for the 2011 World Harp Congress, the Vancouver Playhouse production of The Fantasticks, The Patrick Street Productions of The Light in the Piazza, and a benefit concert for Dalit Freedom Network of Canada in which she performed Mozart’s Concerto for Harp and Flute.
As a chamber and orchestral musician, Albertina has performed for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Turning Point Ensemble, Music on Main; the Erato Ensemble; and the Vancouver Film Orchestra.
She also performs extensively with CORDEI, a contemporary harp and violin duo she founded with violinist Janna Sailor.
Albertina earned her Master of Music with Judy Loman at the University of Toronto and her Bachelor of Music with Jennifer Swartz at McGill University.
Previously, she studied in Vancouver with Rita Costanzi and Elizabeth Volpe. Albertina was a recipient of the Anne Adams Award and the 3rd prize winner in the Young Professional Division of the American Harp Society Competition.
Violinist and conductor Janna Sailor is firmly established as a musician and musical educator of extraordinary scope and versatility.
She began her musical studies at the age of three and was performing with professional orchestras at the age of thirteen.
As a conductor, Janna has directed numerous ensembles ranging from choirs, new music ensembles and youth orchestras.
Janna currently conducts the Vancouver Youth Symphony Debut Orchestra and will assume the roles of Assistant Conductor with both the National Academy Orchestra of Canada the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2015-16 season.
As a violinist, Janna served as concertmaster with both the Montreal based l’Orchestré de la Francophonie (2011) and the National Academy Orchestra of Canada (2014).
Janna enjoys a diverse career performing alongside artists such as Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Kenny G, Mary J. Blige, Chris Botti, The Canadian Tenors, Il Volo, Frank Sinatra Jr., Mary Margaret O’Hara, Carly Rae Jepsen and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as well as ensembles such as Tafelmusik.
– Submitted by TOSH