Honens Names Xenia Hanusiak Director, Artistic Planning

CALGARY, AB, DECEMBER 5, 2017—Honens is pleased to announce Xenia Hanusiak as Director, Artistic Planning.

Hanusiak, who most recently held roles with Columbia University and the World Federation of International Music Competitions, enjoys an international career encompassing arts management, festival direction, and performance, as well as education and cultural diplomacy across Australia, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. She has been actively engaged in classical music and the arts for twenty years, bringing a unique perspective and distinctive cross-sector expertise to Honens.

“I am thrilled to join Honens in this pivotal role leading up to the 2018 Honens International Piano Competition,” says Hanusiak. “I look forward to contributing to the vision of President Neil Edwards and Artistic Director Designate Jon Kimura Parker.”

Backgrounder Attached

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Information

Alberta

Amanda Smith

Director, Marketing & Communications

(403) 299-0130 

asmith@honens.com

BACKGROUNDER

XENIA HANUSIAK

Xenia Hanusiak is committed to the future of classical music and the next generation of performance makers. Her recent roles have included leadership positions with the World Federation of International Music Competitions, Chamber Music Australia, the Australian-Consulate General (New York), Columbia University (New York), Peking University (Beijing), University of Edinburgh, and the United Nations. As an artistic director, she has directed milestone events that have presented the world and country premieres of some of the most influential composers of our time, creating dynamic programs that transcend geographical borders: MADE IN CHINA (Beijing Music Festival), Earth Songs (Korea), The Garden of Joy and Sorrow (Melbourne International Arts Festival), and the international tours of A Thousand Doors, A Thousand Windows and Songlines for a New World. Trained as an opera singer, Xenia’s appearances feature the Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Ten Days on the Island festivals (Australia), Aarhus Festival (Denmark), Banff (Canada), Next Wave Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music Festival (New York), Kennedy Center (Washington), Singapore Arts Festival, Gruppo Aperto Musica Oggi (Florence), Beijing Musica Acoustica, Beijing Music Festival (China), Victorian State Opera, Netherlands Dance Theater, State Opera of South Australia, MODAFE Festival (Seoul), The Concert Hall, Esplanade Theatre on The Bay (Singapore), and the Ljubljana Spring Festival. She has been a Professor and Artist in Residence at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Northeastern University (Boston), National University of Singapore, and Kookmin University (Korea). Xenia holds a PhD in Literature, a Masters degree in Classical Music, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Literature. She is a music critic and essayist for Music and Literature and The Log Journal, and is recognized for her contribution to the world stage as a current Cultural Global Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and a Churchill Fellow.

ABOUT HONENS

Honens discovers, nurtures, and presents Complete Artists—21st century pianists for 21st century audiences. The Honens International Piano Competition takes place every three years and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious events of its kind. Honens prepares its Laureates for the rigours and realities of professional careers in music and creates opportunities for growth and exposure. The annual Honens Festival is one of Canada’s premier classical music events, intended to share Mrs. Honens’ love of world renowned music with Albertans every year. The 2018 Honens International Piano Competition takes place in Calgary from August 30 to September 8. Esther Honens created a legacy of musical excellence to be enjoyed for generations. In 1991, Mrs. Honens gave $5 million to endow an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary, Canada. Her generosity, vision, and love of music continue to touch the lives of musicians and music-lovers at home and around the world. Legacy Partners follow in Esther Honens’ footsteps by securing Honens’ future and ensuring its continued ability to offer a broad scope of programming and community outreach projects.