Tonight, the WMC McLellan Competition for Solo Performance takes place at Jubilee Place Auditorium featuring the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and three finalists competing for their share in $20,000 worth of prize monies awarded. 

Known for his extraordinary technique and sincerely communicative performances, Winnipeg-born, Toronto-based Métis cellist David Liam Roberts is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting Canadian cellists of his generation

 

 

The 2021 recipient of the $25k Canada Council Michael Measures Prize, David Liam Roberts is establishing himself as one of the most exciting and promising Canadian cellists of his generation. Named one of Canada’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians under 30” by the CBC in 2019, David Liam has been described as a “deeply thoughtful and soft-spoken artist”  (Winnipeg Free Press). David Liam was awarded both the 1st Prize and Grand Award at the 2018 National Music Festival of Canada and was the 2020 winner of the Michael Measures 2nd Prize through the Canada Council for the Arts and NYO Canada. He is grateful to be the 2021-22 recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation's Developing Artist Grant for Canadian instrumentalists.  

Upcoming engagements include a tour of Atlantic Canada with pianist LaLa Lee and a solo appearance with the Winnipeg Symphony (Schumann Concerto). Highlights of the previous season included debut recitals presented by Cecilia Concerts in Halifax, Virtuosi Concerts in Winnipeg, and the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg (as part of the Zyra Trio), as well as appearances at Winnipeg’s Rosamunde Festival and the Lunenberg Academy of Music Performance, Nova Scotia.

David Liam Roberts was back on Winnipeg’s Classic 107 reflecting on the four years since his first appearance in the McLellan finals; completing and continuing his studies at the Glenn Gould School; and performing alongside his former teacher and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday night. 

The WMC McLellan Competition for Solo Performance final round takes place Wednesday, April 20 at MBCI – Jubilee Place (173 Talbot Avenue). Tickets $15-$30 with proof of vaccination and masks required. Find more details at: www.wmcwpg.ca