AUTUMN LEAVES

W. A. Mozart: Serenade K.525, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Vivan Fung: Pizzicato, W. A. Mozart: Concerto for violin #5 in A major, K 219, solo violin Danielle Sametz, W. A. Mozart: Symphony #33 in B flat major, K 319

November 18, 2020, 7:30pm
Imperial Theatre, Saint John

November 21, 2020, 7:30pm
The Playhouse, Fredericton

November 22, 2020, 2pm
Capitol Theatre, Moncton

Program Notes

Nadège Foofat is a conductor, violinist, violist, and advocate for innovation in thought, action,
music, and culture. In 2018, Nadège was one of six conductors selected for the Bruno Walter
National Conductor Preview for her “experience, talent, leadership potential, and commitment to
a career in service to American orchestras” by the League of American Orchestras.
During the 2019-2020 season, Nadège made her debuts with the Lima Symphony Orchestra, South
Bend Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in the United States,
and will conduct Symphony New Brunswick in Canada. Recent performances include appearances
with Symphony Nova Scotia, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and the Nashville Symphony
Orchestra.
A champion of equal representation for women in orchestral programming, Nadège’s concerts have
included works by Amy Beach, Jennifer Higdon, Mary Howe, Vítězslava Kaprálová, Missy
Mazzoli, Leslie Opatril, Florence Price, Joan Tower, and Gwyneth Walker. She is a leading expert
of the orchestral works of the early romantic French composer, Louise Farrenc. Nadège is also a
member of the Executive Council of the Institute for Composer Diversity.
As former Assistant Conductor to Kent Nagano at the Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic
Orchestra in Germany, she assisted in historical productions of Wozzeck, Lulu, Walküre, Madama
Butterfly, Zauberflöte, and Stilles Meer, and new productions of Fidelio and Parsifal, as well as
for Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra concerts at the Elbphilharmonie, including performances
with Hamburg’s St. Michaelis Choir, and the International Musikfest Hamburg.
In 2014, Nadège served as Associate Conductor for the Naxos recording of Darius Milhaud’s
L’Orestie d’Eschyle, which was nominated for a 2015 GRAMMY® Award (Best Opera
Recording). From 2009-2014, Nadège was the Founder and Music Director of the Esopus Chamber
Orchestra, a twenty-five-member award-winning professional chamber orchestra based in the
Hudson Valley, New York.
Nadège has enjoyed collaborating as a violinist and violist in recital and chamber performances.
She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Town Hall, the Banff Centre, and MoMA
summer music festivals. She holds a Doctor of Music degree in orchestral conducting from the
Université de Montréal, a Diplôme de perfectionnement in contemporary orchestral conducting
from the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, (Switzerland) a Master of Music degree from the
Yale University School of Music, and Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School in viola
performance.
Born in Canada, Nadège is also a citizen of the United Kingdom and the United States. She is
based out of Virginia, where she resides with her family. She joined the faculty of Shenandoah
Conservatory at Shenandoah University as Visiting Guest Conductor in 2020.

Danielle Sametz

 

Danielle Sametz grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan where she began her musical studies on both violin and piano.  During her time in Regina Danielle was a member of the Regina Symphony Orchestra and also completed her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto certification studying with Dr.Jamie Syer. She successfully completed her Bachelor of Music from Brandon University (BU) in 2009, studying with Kerry DuWors and Mark Rudoff. Danielle was a member of the string quartet-in-residence at the Centre for Opera in Sulmona, Italy, has collaborated with Winnipeg rock band ‘From the Moon’ on their album The Cyclist, was a Saskatchewan representative at the National Arts Program of Canada during the 2009 Summer Games and travelled to Palestine and Israel for a concert series and tour with faculty of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. After finishing her Masters degree at the Aaron Copland school in New York City she spent 18 months in South Africa playing with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. Danielle is currently second violinist with the Saint John String Quartet and Symphony New Brunswick

 

“Lots of folks we know are dealing with stress and anxiety in their lives right now. We feel like we could all use a little happiness and encouragement – and the warm, rich melodies in these pieces are sure to deliver.”