Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Langley campus recently played host to famous South-American pianist Edison Quintana, which culminated in a performance with Kwantlen faculty member and Canadian pianist Jane Hayes. A large and appreciative audience heard piano and ensemble works from both Canadian and Mexican artists representing the 1915-1950 periods; the performance concluded with a standing ovation for Hayes, Quintana, bassist Jodi Prossnitz and drummer Dave Robbins.
“We are delighted to welcome Maestro Quintana to Kwantlen; his presence has enriched the educational experience of students,” commented Sandra Schinnerl, director of Kwantlen’s Office of International Students and Scholars.
“This is the first visiting international scholar for the music department, but with the success of this visit, we hope to receive more international scholars in the future as well as have return visits from Maestro Quintana.”
During his time as Kwantlen’s visiting scholar-in-residence, Quintana has been working with Kwantlen music students in master classes, claiming that both students and instructors are very talented. It was not only the musical charms that caught his attention.
“Vancouver and Langley are beautiful. It’s like Utopia,” exclaimed Quintana after being asked what he thought of Canada. “I have learned a great deal about Canadian music and Canadian composers and I am very impressed. Quintana went on to explain that he and other artists in Mexico know very little about music in Canada. As part of this artistic exchange, Quintana, originally from Uruguay, says he wants to not only promote Mexican music in Canada, but music from South America as well. Quintana’s visit has also resulted in a planned trip to Mexico in March for Hayes, where she will work and perform with Quintana at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).