Canadian flutist Gillian Derer is an imaginative emerging artist known for her passion, dedication and dazzling on-stage energy. Gillian inspires as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, and her career has been shaped by some of the world’s most highly regarded flutists, including Susan Hoeppner, Emmanuel Pahud, Marina Piccinini, Jennifer Gunn, Julien Beaudiment, and Jacinthe Forand. Gillian obtained her Bachelor of Music with high distinction from Western University in 2022 under the tutelage of Sharon Kahan, and currently studies with Susan Hoeppner in her first year of the Artist Diploma program at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory on full scholarship.

Gillian’s solo career has earned her many accolades; most recently, she was named the Absolute First Prize winner of the Canadian International Music Competition (2023) and a Gold Prize winner of the Schubert International Music Competition (2023). Gillian was the first place winner of the Western University Concerto Competition (2021), and a finalist of the Oakville Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition (2022). Other awards and scholarships include the Dean’s Excellence Award in Music (2022), the Sandra Towler Flute Scholarship (2021), and the Wendy S. Hunter Memorial Award, (2021). Gillian was also the first prize winner of the Norfolk Music Festival (2016, 2017, 2018). Gillian has performed a number of solo recitals for sold-out audiences.

Gillian is also an experienced chamber and orchestral musician. A 2021-2022 fellow of the Magisterra Soloists, she has performed across Canada in various ensembles including her energetic and lively string trio, ‘Disinvolto Trio’, and most recently, her flute and harp duo titled ‘Affettuoso Duo.’ This July, she performed with the pit band of the musical ‘A Perfect Bowl of Pho,’ which earned 4/4 stars from The Toronto Star and NNNN from Now Magazine. Gillian also recently filled the role of Principal Flute in the pit orchestra for Hart House Theatre’s production of ‘Into the Woods’ (February 2023). Gillian has performed as an orchestral musician in orchestras such as the Niagara Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra.

An avid learner, Gillian enjoys taking part in masterclasses and institutes around the world. The Consummate Flutist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2018), Domaine Forget in Quebec, Canada (2021, 2022) and Orford Music Academy in Quebec, Canada (2022), are among the institutes that she has participated in. This Summer, Gillian joins the Scotia Festival of Music as a flutist in the prestigious Young Artist program on scholarship.

A believer in connection and community, Gillian maintains a large social media presence where she details her performance life and posts practice tips for thousands of flutists and musicians alike around the world. She has been interviewed by Orford Music Academy and Close-Up Culture, and seeks to use social media as a medium to share classical music with those who wouldn’t usually have access to it. Gillian nurtures her own private studio and also often travels to public schools across Southwestern Ontario to speak about her music career and inspire the next generation of young musicians. She believes that music belongs to every one of us, and it is her greatest goal to make classical music education and performances available to all.

Music Director Michael Newnham is best known for his intense and inspiring conducting style, based on a deep knowledge of the score and informed by a strong interest in languages, cultures and history. A born communicator, his open and direct contact with musicians and audiences creates performances full of expression and energy.

Along with his duties at the PSO, he is also presently (since 2018) Music Director of Orchestra Toronto. During his tenure as Music Director of Symphony New Brunswick (2009-2018), Newnham was instrumental in bringing that orchestra to new artistic heights and raising its profile on the national level.

In addition to his performances in his native Canada, Newnham has also appeared at the helm of many orchestras and opera companies throughout Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Italy, and South Korea.

Endowed with a special passion and gift for working with young musicians, Michael was the founding conductor of the Kawartha Youth Orchestra and has been a faculty member at Music at Port Milford for several years. His involvement in educating young musicians is not limited to Canada; he spent two years as a guest professor and orchestra conductor at Taegu-Hyosung University in South Korea.

Originally from Hamilton, Newnham is a graduate of the conducting class of prof. Bogusław Madey at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland. He also studied at the Indiana University School of Music and at the University of Toronto.

He is a recipient of several awards, including the “Order of Merit” from the Republic of Poland, the “Best Conductor” Award from the East Slovakian State Opera, and the Turzanski Award for his services in promoting Polish music and culture in Canada.

Before taking up the baton, Newnham began his musical career as a trombonist, playing with the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphonies, as well as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. He currently lives in Peterborough with his wife, cellist Zuzanna. He is an avid reader, proud father to two daughters and a passionate home barista.

Our Music Director has assembled some recommendations for those who would like to have a taste of the programmed works ahead of time:

Spotify playlist link