Montreal-born Yannick Nézet-Séguin is one of Canada's most exciting and talented conductors. A fast-rising star, the 2008 JUNO award nominee will be the next Music Director of the prestigious Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, beginning with the 2008/2009 season. Maestro Nézet-Séguin succeeds Valery Gergiev in Rotterdam. In September 2008, he will also become the Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Nézet-Séguin has been praised for his onstage dynamism, technical control, wonderful sense of style and obvious rapport with orchestral musicians.

Calgary-born Pianist Katherine Chi, the first Canadian and first woman to win the prestigious Honens International Piano Competition (2000), is the guest soloist for the final Bach & Beyond series concert. During the mid-90's, Chi had lost the use of her arms which forced her to give up piano for almost three years. She was introduced to the Fondazione Internazionale per il Pianoforte in Italy where she recovered, and went on to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne.

She has since won the 1998 Busoni International Piano Competition, received her master's degree and is currently pursuing her Doctorate from the New England Conservatory in Boston. -- www.vancouversymphony.ca