What is the YADP?
The Calgary Pro Musica Society Young Artist Development Program is intended to discover, nurture and promote young Calgary musicians. The resources of CPM allow us to offer unique opportunities in individual instruction, performance and career development for emerging musicians in Calgary. We are looking for players with outstanding talent and a serious commitment to developing themselves as well-rounded musicians. Participants in the Program will receive exclusive instruction from the CPM visiting artists, be presented in a fully sponsored and publicized CPM concert and prepare and perform a series of school concerts with CPM Education Advisor. We will also provide scholarship support to the winning individuals or pre-formed ensemble. Scholarships will be used to fund the student’s regular individual instruction. Depending upon the audition results, there will be 2 to 5 students in the program per season.
Acknowledging YADP’s Benefactors
Dick Matthews is remembered as one of Calgary’s great arts supporters, and he was a true friend of Calgary Pro Musica. His philanthropy was recognized nationally in 2012 when he was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. Dick had a special passion for young artists. With this in mind, Calgary Pro Musica recognizes Mr. Matthews’ unique contributions to the arts by naming our Young Artists Development Program in his honour.
Tristram Chivers is Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at the University of Calgary. He and his wife Sue are longtime CPM subscribers and supporters. Tristram has generously provided scholarship support for all YADP musicians this season and in perpetuity. Tristram writes on August 11, 2024, “The inspired establishment of the Young Artists Development Program 15 years ago has become an integral part of Pro Musica’s concert season. In addition to their exceptional musical ability, YADP participants are enthusiastic and articulate promoters of classical chamber music. These scholarships are intended to recognize their successful acceptance into this prestigious Program and to provide encouragement in the pursuit of their musical careers.”
Aedan Lowry, violin
Aedan Lowry is an 18 year old violinist studying with Joan E. Barrett in Calgary. Commencing his violin studies at age 5, he entered Mount Royal University Conservatory’s junior orchestra programs and the Amici String Program shortly thereafter. Aedan has performed as both soloist and section member with numerous local ensembles and orchestras, including the Mount Royal Conservatory Sinfonia, Calgary Boy’s Choir, Kensington Sinfonia and the Calgary Youth Orchestra. In addition to winning the 2025 Frank Simpson Concerto Competition and the 2021/22 Conservatory Sinfonia Concerto Competition, Aedan was a finalist in the 2025/26 Calgary Philharmonic RBC Concerto Competition, as well as the 2022 Canadian Music Competition in Québec. Aedan is an alumni of Vancouver Island Music Academy, Greenwood Music Camp, Meadowmount School of Music, and Bowdoin International Music Festival.
Gabrielle Marquis, flute
Graduating in 2026 from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance where she studied with Dr. Lucie Jones, Gabrielle Marquis is currently enrolled as an Advanced Performance Programme student at the Mount Royal University Conservatory. A long-time participant of the Conservatory’s Academy Programme for Young Artists, Gabby has received extensive chamber music and performance coaching, and has performed in masterclasses for guest artists such as Jim Walker, Carolyn Christie, and Joanna G’froerer. A passionate ensemble musician, she served as principal flute with the University of Calgary Orchestra, and has been a member of the University of Calgary Wind Ensemble, as well as the Calgary Youth Orchestra. Gabby has also participated in the Sound Atlas New Music Festival in Calgary as a Contemporary Performance Lab Fellow in 2025 and 2026.
Aurelia Trio (violinist Daryna Friesen, cellist Porter Allred and pianist Derek Lee)
The Aurelia Trio is a Calgary-based piano trio dedicated to meaningful artistic expression through chamber music. The ensemble officially formed in May 2026, although the members have collaborated in other chamber music settings for several years. Its members are currently pursuing advanced musical studies at both the University of Calgary and the Mount Royal University Conservatory, where they have all worked with distinguished faculty and internationally renowned artists. They have each also received recognition through national and international competitions, scholarships, and prestigious summer programs across North America and Europe.
United by a shared commitment to musical excellence and development, as well as a passion for sharing music with as many communities as possible, the Aurelia Trio is excited to represent Calgary Pro Musica’s Young Artists Development Program for 2026-2027.
Samantha Whelan Kotkas M. Music, B. Music
Born in Canada, raised in Africa and educated in Calgary and Houston, Samantha Whelan Kotkas has been praised for creating truly unique and totally engaging experiences for young audiences. She is an award-winning producer, storyteller, trumpet player and teaching artist who has traveled internationally as a creative consultant and performer. Her creative efforts have focused on combining her love of music and the outdoors with her desire to enhance arts education in Canada. In June of 2018, she was very honoured to be asked to serve as the “Distinguished Graduate” at the University of Calgary’s convocation ceremony.
In conjunction with her active career as a performer, Samantha is the education advisor for Calgary Pro Musica and a teaching artist for the National Arts Centre of Canada (NAC) where she finds the cross-cultural work she does with Walter MacDonald White Bear, as part of the Arts Alive Program, very meaningful. She has written outreach and music teaching guides for the NAC, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Samantha just completed writing and producing ‘Wandering with Wonder’: an immersive outdoor musical storytelling experience with original live and recorded music, story, puppetry and dance which was successfully premiered to a sold-out audience in September 2021 at the Leighton Arts Centre and then made into a film by the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra with full orchestrations in October 2022. For more information about Samantha please visit her website at www.samanthawhelankotkas.com
2026-27 Application Information