Press Release: The Festival de Lanaudière and Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announce Unique Partnership for 2024 Mentorship Program

The Festival de Lanaudière and Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announce Unique Partnership for 2024 Mentorship Program

A Cross-Border Collaboration to Foster the Next Generation of Classical Music Talent

Saratoga Springs, New York – July 16, 2024 – The Festival de Lanaudière and Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) are proud to announce an unprecedented partnership for the 2024 edition of the mentorship program. Founded by the Festival de Lanaudière, this program now benefits from a collaboration that brings together two prestigious festivals from different countries, providing exceptional opportunities for emerging Canadian classical musicians.

Now in its third year, the Festival de Lanaudière’s mentorship program taking place from July 25 to August 4 continues to gain momentum and support. Made possible through the generosity of the Fondation Père-Lindsay and the Fonds Jacques-Martin, the program allows six promising Canadian classical musicians to forge professional relationships with acclaimed artists, solidifying their paths to international recognition. This year’s participants will spend six days in Joliette, Quebec, followed by four days in Saratoga Springs, New York, coinciding with The Philadelphia Orchestra’s annual residency at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The participants will benefit from in-depth exchanges with conductors, soloists, and musicians from The Philadelphia Orchestra, along with other notable figures in the classical music world at both festivals. In addition, they will engage in workshops, attend rehearsals and concerts, and receive one-on-one coaching, all aimed at developing essential career management tools.

“The proximity of our festivals and the shared values we uphold made this partnership a natural expansion of our unique program, and a testament to its growing demand and recognition. We are excited to witness how this collaboration will enhance the experience for our mentees and provide them with invaluable professional connections and growth opportunities.”

• Xavier Roy, Executive Director of the Festival de Lanaudière

“We are very excited to be collaborating with our wonderful colleagues at Festival de Lanaudière, continuing our work to build bridges across the border. SPAC has always been home to many of the greatest performing artists in the world. Our participation in the project gives us an opportunity to nurture the next generation.”

• Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center

THE 2024 MENTEES

• Mehdi Ghazi, pianist
• Frédéric-Alexandre Michaud, conductor, violinist and radio cultural commentator
• Elizabeth Polese, soprano
• Antoine Rivard-Landry, pianist
• Catherine St-Arnaud, soprano
• Gabriel Trottier, solo, chamber and orchestral horn player

For more information, please visit this page.

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious summer festivals. Its tranquil setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws vacation crowds and arts connoisseurs each year for immersive experiences of performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the  Saratoga Jazz Festival, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as CulinaryArts@SPAC, Literary Arts including WAMC@SPAC events, and Caffè Lena @ SPAC. SPAC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information visit spac.org.

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