There’s something magical about watching a young artist step into the spotlight - especially when the music they perform demands the skill and maturity of a seasoned professional. Calgary Civic Symphony’s 48th season finale, Rising Stars, does exactly that, celebrating four of Calgary’s finest young classical musicians.
Join the Civic on Sunday, June 1st at 2:30PM at the Jack Singer Concert Hall for an unforgettable afternoon of music, featuring the 2025 winners of the Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition (RC3). With a program filled with the ‘bread and butter’ of the classical repertoire - Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Elgar - this concert promises to be a thrilling celebration of virtuosity.
Since 1987, the Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition has served as a springboard for many of Canada’s leading classical musicians. Alumni include internationally acclaimed pianist Jan Lisiecki, cellists Luka Coetzee and Isabella Perron, and Arnold Choi, Principal Cellist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Learn more about the competition and its legacy at www.rotaryc3.com.
Each year, four winners are selected to perform as soloists with the Calgary Civic Symphony in this signature concert - a rare and inspiring opportunity for young artists to take the stage with a full symphony orchestra.
Meet the 2025 Rising Stars:
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, 1st movement
Charlotte Giraudeau, piano (16)
Charlotte began her music studies at the age of 5 and is a Mount Royal University Academy for Young Artists scholarship recipient currently under the instruction of Professor Marilyn Engle of the University of Calgary. In addition to being a prize-winner in numerous competitions both in Canada and internationally, Charlotte has participated in many masterclasses and debuted in the 2024 Canada’s Rising Stars 20th Anniversary Concert in Canmore, Alberta. She also organizes the Capriccio International Young Artists, is a member of the Back to Bach Foundation, regularly organizes young artist concerts in Calgary, and is a co-founder of the Rocky Trio with fellow RC3 winner Aaron Janse-Deng (cello) and Bowen Li (violin).
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, 4th movement
Aaron Janse-Deng, cello (15)
Aaron began studying music at the age of 3, and is currently studying under Morag Northey. He enjoys performing chamber music, and co-founded the Rocky Trio in 2022 with fellow RC3 winner Charlotte Giraudeau and violinist Bowen Li. Aaron is also a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, and has served as principal and assistant principal cellist. A student of Mount Royal University Conservatory’s Academy Program, Aaron regularly participates in masterclasses, competitions with Rocky Trio, and has placed 2nd in the 2025 Frank Simpson Concerto Competition and 3rd place in 2024.
Chopin: Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante
Coco Zhang, piano (17)
Coco moved to Calgary in 2020 and has been studying with Dr. Akiko Tominaga at the Mount Royal Conservatory since November 2021. She has competed in the Canadian Music Competition National Finals in 2022, 2023, and has been selected to participate again in 2025. In addition to piano, Coco is also second soprano in the Calgary Girls Choir under director Elaine Quilichini. A recipient of scholarships for the past three years to the Mount Royal University’s Academy Program, Coco will be pursuing a career in music at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University.
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, 1st movement
Oscar Hanqi Zhang (14)
Oscar began formal training in piano when he was 9 years old with Dr. Zhengbo Shi and pianist Lin Ye. Since moving to Calgary in 2022, he has studied with Krzysztof Jablonski and is currently studying with Akiko Tominaga as a full-scholarship student at MountRoyal University Conservatory for Advanced Performance Program. He has received awards in various international competitions, including third place in the Professional Category 3 of the 2025 Chopin Youth International Competition in China. Oscar has also been granted scholarships to participate in various piano festivals, including the Art of the Piano Festival 2024, and has taken part in numerous masterclasses.
This is your chance to witness the next generation of musical greatness - and maybe even say, “I heard them when…”
Tickets start at just $19, with free admission for children six and under. Group discounts are available. Purchase tickets through the Arts Commons Box Office at (403) 294-9494 or online at https://bit.ly/calgaryrisingstars.
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Written by Jennette Miller
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