Vancouver classic music performer and conductor Ellen Wang is no stranger to Powell River after playing organ at last year’s International Choral Kathaumixw and Carols by Candlelight, but she said what keeps her coming back is the sense of community.
“To see a community come together and host an international choral festival like Kathaumixw, and do it that successfully, was very impressive, and I was very touched,” said Wang, who plays the Powell River Academy of Music’s James Hall at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 3.
Among her other
musical accomplishments, Wang conducts the largest Christian sacred choir in Vancouver and has played with the Vancouver Symphony. She’s also become well known for her performances at weddings and funerals.
“My weeks are never dull because I play so many different kinds of stuff,” said Wang, originally from Taiwan, “so I decided to bring that to Powell River so the community can see what I actually do, and how I do it.”
This time, Wang will be presenting A Look into Ellen’s Week, a program she designed especially for Powell River audiences.
“There will be some light comedy and a large range of my music repertoire,” she said.
Wang will be joined by Powell River Academy Chamber Choir which will perform a program featuring well-known opera selections, such as “The Anvil Chorus” from Verdi’s Il trovatore, and “The Chorus of Wedding Guests” from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. The choir will also perform some opera-style tunes such as the Andrea Bocelli favourite “Time to Say Goodbye.”
Wang said she is looking forward to the performance and always gets a rush out of performing in front of a live audience.
“Oh, I love it,” she said. “The adrenalin always kicks in. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, and I wouldn’t say I’m not nervous, but I really embrace the experience every time I play in front of live audience.”
For more information on Wang’s show, readers can go to powellriveracademy.org.
