Marc Djokic & Julien Le Blanc – Nov 7 2009

Halifax native Marc Djokic began his violin studies at the age of six with his father, violinist Philippe Djokic. He completed his undergraduate studies at the New England Conservatory as a scholarship student of Donald Weilerstein. Marc currently resides in Montreal.

Marc has been the recipient of several awards and scholarships including the Kiwanis Festival of Music Rose Bowl Prize, the Hudson Community Scholarship, the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Scholarship Award, and several Nova Scotia Talent Trust Awards. As the first winner of the Royal Bank of Canada’s Award for Musical Excellence, Marc performed on the 2000 Debut Atlantic Series, recorded for CBC’s “All the Best”. In December 2000, he was presented with the Governor General’s Millennium Award by the Honourable Lieutenant Governor, Myra Freeman, at Government House. In 2002, he was selected by the Nova Scotia Talent Trust to receive the prestigious Raymond Simpson Award, and in 2003 was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award by the Talent Trust. That year Marc was also one of five finalists in the Great Canadian Music Dream Competition.

As winner of the 2001 Atlantic Young Artist Competition, Marc was presented in a series of recitals throughout the Atlantic Provinces to great critical acclaim. Marc has since appeared in concert at many concert series and music festivals such as Music Masters Course in Kazusa (Japan 2001&02), the 2003 Atlantic Scene Festival (Ottawa), the New Brunswick Summer Music Festival, the Indian River Music Festival, the St. Cecilia Concert Series, Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival, Park City Music Festival (Utah), and numerous appearances at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival. Marc was also a featured artist in the Bravo! Television Series, ?The Classical Now?. His solo appearances with Symphony Orchestras include The Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, Symphony NewBrunswick, PEI Symphony, Nova Symphonia and The Niagara Symphony.

Mr. Djokic is a 2003/2004 recipient of a Canada Council Grant for Musicians, and is also a recipient of an 1820 Joannes Franciscus Pressenda Violin on a three year loan from the Canada Council Instrument Bank. Marc gratefully acknowledges the continuing support from the Canada Council.

JULIEN LEBLANC – Piano

Acadian pianist Julien Le Blanc is a well sought after soloist, chamber player and accompanist. He is currently “Artist in residence” at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

In April 2003, Julien Le Blanc made his début at the National Art Centre in Ottawa. He gave many recitals in England and is a frequent guest at many Canadian festivals. He also gave a recital at the Grand-Théâtre de Châtellerault in France and performed at the Villecroze Music Academy Festival (Provence).

Mr Le Blanc has been very busy performing this season. He has notably given a recital with baritone Dion Mazerolle for the Anna-Malenfant Voice Festival in Memramcook in October and he toured the Maritimes in November with flautist Karin Aurell and percussionist Darcy Gray, playing a program of new music by composers from the Atlantic Provinces. In January, he performed as a soloist with Atlantic Symphonia. In March, he will be taking part in a showcase with violinist Mark Djokic at Pacific Contact in Vancouver and in May, he will be performing the Schumann Piano Quintet with the Saint-John String Quartet. He will be performing at l’Église historique de Barachois in June with soprano Nathalie Paulin. Julien Le Blanc will be teaching at the Université de Moncton Music Camp in July as well as the UNB Music Camp in August. He will be a guest pianist at the New-Brunswick Summer Music Festival in Fredericton in August.

Julien Le Blanc holds diplomas from the Royal Academy of Music in London (UK), the Glenn Gould School in Toronto and l’Université de Montréal. Julien is frequently heard and seen on Radio-Canada and CBC radio and television programs.