Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival - Opening Concert
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival - Opening Concert
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival - Opening Concert
Tickets are expected to be available on June 1. Join our mailing list to be notified.
Tickets are expected to be available on June 1.
Join our mailing list to be notified.
Tickets are expected to be available on June 1.
Join our mailing list to be notified.
The Spire
82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3H4
Duration: 70 minutes – with intermission
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 7:00 PM
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival
Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.
Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.
This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
The Spire
82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3H4
Duration: 70 minutes – with intermission
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 7:00 PM
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival
Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.
Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.
This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
The Spire
82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3H4
Duration: 70 minutes – with intermission
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 7:00 PM
Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival
Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.
Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.
This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
Program Details
The repertoire is subject to change without prior notice.
Program TBC
Program Details
The repertoire is subject to change without prior notice.
Program TBC
Program Details
The repertoire is subject to change without prior notice.
Program TBC
Program Details
The repertoire is subject to change without prior notice.
Program TBC
Program Details
The repertoire is subject to change without prior notice.
Program TBC
Program Details
The repertoire is subject to change without prior notice.
Program TBC
Artist
MCKENZIE WARRINER, SOPRANO
“Praised for her ‘poise and great musical aplomb’ (Opera Canada), Saskatchewan-born, Toronto-based soprano McKenzie Warriner is a versatile artist whose repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary music. Known for her expressive clarity and fearless approach to new works, she brings both precision and emotional depth to the stage.
A Rebanks Family Fellow at The Glenn Gould School, McKenzie’s recent highlights include her debut as the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, performances with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Messiah, and appearances at the Royal Conservatory’s 21C Festival.
A prizewinner of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, she is also deeply engaged in contemporary music and is the co-founder of the innovative concert series Slow Rise Music.”
Artist
MCKENZIE WARRINER, SOPRANO
“Praised for her ‘poise and great musical aplomb’ (Opera Canada), Saskatchewan-born, Toronto-based soprano McKenzie Warriner is a versatile artist whose repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary music. Known for her expressive clarity and fearless approach to new works, she brings both precision and emotional depth to the stage.
A Rebanks Family Fellow at The Glenn Gould School, McKenzie’s recent highlights include her debut as the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, performances with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Messiah, and appearances at the Royal Conservatory’s 21C Festival.
A prizewinner of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, she is also deeply engaged in contemporary music and is the co-founder of the innovative concert series Slow Rise Music.”
Artist
MCKENZIE WARRINER, SOPRANO
“Praised for her ‘poise and great musical aplomb’ (Opera Canada), Saskatchewan-born, Toronto-based soprano McKenzie Warriner is a versatile artist whose repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary music. Known for her expressive clarity and fearless approach to new works, she brings both precision and emotional depth to the stage.
A Rebanks Family Fellow at The Glenn Gould School, McKenzie’s recent highlights include her debut as the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, performances with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Messiah, and appearances at the Royal Conservatory’s 21C Festival.
A prizewinner of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, she is also deeply engaged in contemporary music and is the co-founder of the innovative concert series Slow Rise Music.”
Artist
ying zhang, piano
Ying Zhang is a pianist devoted to revealing the emotional depth and narrative resonance of the piano repertoire. Known for her refined sound, clarity of expression, and instinctive sensitivity to musical lines, she brings an intimate and compelling presence to the stage. A versatile performer active as a soloist and chamber musician, she has appeared in concerts across Canada, the United States, and China.
Born in China, Ying received her formative training at the Conservatory of Music’s affiliated middle and high school before pursuing advanced studies in North America. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, as well as a Post-Graduate Professional Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During her studies at McGill, she was recognized with the Paul-Marcel Gélinas et Verna-Marie Parr Gélinas Piano Award for academic and artistic excellence, and received the Outstanding Achievement in Piano award as a graduating undergraduate for excellence in piano studies.
Artist
ying zhang, piano
Ying Zhang is a pianist devoted to revealing the emotional depth and narrative resonance of the piano repertoire. Known for her refined sound, clarity of expression, and instinctive sensitivity to musical lines, she brings an intimate and compelling presence to the stage. A versatile performer active as a soloist and chamber musician, she has appeared in concerts across Canada, the United States, and China.
Born in China, Ying received her formative training at the Conservatory of Music’s affiliated middle and high school before pursuing advanced studies in North America. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, as well as a Post-Graduate Professional Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During her studies at McGill, she was recognized with the Paul-Marcel Gélinas et Verna-Marie Parr Gélinas Piano Award for academic and artistic excellence, and received the Outstanding Achievement in Piano award as a graduating undergraduate for excellence in piano studies.
Artist
ying zhang, piano
Ying Zhang is a pianist devoted to revealing the emotional depth and narrative resonance of the piano repertoire. Known for her refined sound, clarity of expression, and instinctive sensitivity to musical lines, she brings an intimate and compelling presence to the stage. A versatile performer active as a soloist and chamber musician, she has appeared in concerts across Canada, the United States, and China.
Born in China, Ying received her formative training at the Conservatory of Music’s affiliated middle and high school before pursuing advanced studies in North America. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, as well as a Post-Graduate Professional Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During her studies at McGill, she was recognized with the Paul-Marcel Gélinas et Verna-Marie Parr Gélinas Piano Award for academic and artistic excellence, and received the Outstanding Achievement in Piano award as a graduating undergraduate for excellence in piano studies.
