SACKVILLE, NB — Emily Beynon, principal flute of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam, has been selected as Mount Allison’s 7th Bragg Artist-in-Residence. Beynon will be on campus from February 23-27 and her residency will include workshops, class visits, a masterclass, public talks, and will conclude with a recital in Brunton Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. with acclaimed U.K. pianist Andrew West.  

“Emily is one the leading flute performers in the world today as a soloist and an orchestral musician,” says Music Department Head Dr. Kevin Morse. “This is a big deal for our students and music community to engage with a performer of this calibre and level of experience. Not only is she an exceptional performer, she is also a wonderful and generous teacher and mentor to students of all levels.” 

Beynon is internationally lauded for her exceptionally virtuosic and expressive performances as a soloist, in chamber music, and as an orchestral musician. She also has an extensive catalogue of remarkable recordings spanning nearly 30 years. 

Beynon is also a passionate and committed educator, regularly giving masterclasses, lessons, and residencies at all levels and she has in recent years developed an online resource for flute players through her YouTube channel. 

Beynon and West have together created the Paloma Project, a multi-year undertaking to perform and record masterpieces composed for flute and piano from the Second World War era, the fifth and final volume of which has just been released. 

This annual residency is made possible by the Bragg Women Music Opportunities Fund, established in 2017 by John Bragg ('62, '63, LLD '93), Mount Allison alumnus and past Chancellor, and his wife Judy (‘64, LLD ‘25). 

“It has been really gratifying to see the impact the Bragg Artist-in-Residence program has had on students since 2017,” says Morse. “I am grateful on a personal level and as a department to be able to offer our students and the community this kind of access to world class performers and teachers. We are a small school in a small town and this allows us to bring this amazing opportunity directly to our students to connect, grow, and be inspired.” 
 
Public Events in Brunton Auditorium: 
    •    Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.: “My Life in Music,” a biographical chat/interview with Emily Beynon 
    •    Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.: Public Talk, Emily Beynon and pianist Andrew West discuss their creative collaboration 
    •    Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.: Recital, Emily Beynon and Andrew West present a recital of masterpieces from the Second World War era. Tickets are free for students, $15 for adults, and $10 for seniors. 

Photo credit: Eduardus Lee