Time: 8 p.m.

Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students

http://www.jesseplessis.wix.com/centricfestival
Winnipeg's Bison Duo (clarinettist Christopher Byman and pianist Theresa Thordarson) join forces with singer Heather Jordan from Banff in performances of folk-inspired music form England, Canada, and Iceland, and songs by Edith Piaf. This concert includes a handful of world-premieres, including Byman's new work inspired by the Legend of Zelda video games.

 Heather Jordan

Singer/songwriter Heather Jean Jordan always has a story to share- whether it is through her own writing or interpreting the work of others.

          Raised in rural Manitoba, Heather Jean grew up loving and performing old-time music, folk songs, and tunes from the American Songbook. She also undertook training through the Royal Conservatory of Music in Piano and Voice, continuing her studies at Brandon University’s School of Music. While attending university for Voice, Heather Jean began writing her own songs, infusing them with shades of Folk, Opera, and Broadway.

          Known for her extensive range, and clarity of tone, Heather Jean's voice harkens back to a different age. Although at times dreamy and dark, there is an overwhelming lightness of spirit and sense of humour that shines through her work. Now making her home in Banff, AB, Heather Jean has had the pleasure of performing at the Canmore Folk Festival, the Banff Harvest Festival, and Alberta Culture Days, among others. She also performs in the duo Mrs. Ulysses, and with an ever-changing line-up of musical friends in The Bartoks.

 The Bison Duo

Theresa Thordarson

Theresa Thordarson is a Canadian musician who has performed on stages across Canada and abroad, from the coffeehouse to the concert hall. She sees music as a way to communicate and explore relationships: between composer and musician, musician and audience, and all the possibilities in-between.

          Theresa completed her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Brandon University, studying with Alexander Tselyakov and Dean Michael Kim. An avid collaborative musician, she was a founding member of the Atiragram Quartet, a clarinet and piano trio. This project focused on the performance of 20th and 21st century music, and culminated in a performance at the National Music Festival in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. As a solo artist, she worked with Manitoban composer Remi Bouchard to record A Palette of Colours, an album of intermediate piano works released in 2009. Theresa has attended Chetham's Piano Summer School in Manchester, England and the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival in Italy. Highlight Canadian performances include the Women's Musical Club of Winnipeg Scholarship Winners' Recital and as a featured performer at the Icelandic National League of North America Convention. Theresa is currently studying, teaching and freelancing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is thrilled to be a part of Centric this year.

Christopher Byman

 A native to rural Manitoba, Chris Byman completed both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Brandon University, studying clarinet performance with secondary areas in both composition and conducting. As a performer, he has played across Canada with various ensembles, including the National Youth Band of Canada, and the Brandon University Symphonic Band. Also active as a chamber musician, Chris has performed with the BU Clarinet Choir, the student-formed Atiragram Quartet, and the Bison Duo with pianist, Theresa Thordarson. Recent performances include the Dark Music Days Festival in Reykjavik, Iceland, the Winnipeg New Music Festival, and the Augustfest Homecoming Concert Series in Brandon, Manitoba. As an emerging composer, Chris has written primarily for chamber groups and has had the privilege of working with multiple ensembles, including the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

          Chris has studied privately with Sharon Atkinson, Micah Heilbrunn, Catherine Wood, T. Patrick Carrabré (composition) and Wendy McCallum (conducting).