Emerging cellist Bryan Cheng wins 2017 Michael Measures Prize

Ottawa, July 11, 2017 – Cellist Bryan Cheng is the recipient of the 2017 Michael Measures Prize. A unique collaboration between the Canada Council for the Arts and the NYO Canada (National Youth Orchestra of Canada), this $25,000 prize recognizes promising talent in the next generation of Canadian classical musicians. Bryan made his recital debut at Carnegie Hall at age 14 and was named one of CBC Music's "30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30" of 2015.

Quotes

“Each year, we are proud to support young, emerging talent through the Michael Measures Prize,” says Tara Lapointe, Director of Outreach and Business Development, Canada Council for the Arts. “Bryan Cheng has shown a depth of sensitivity and maturity that will secure him a distinctive place in the world of classical music.”

About Bryan Cheng

• Born in Ottawa, Bryan made his orchestral debut at age 10 with I Musici de Montreal.
• He is a CBC Young Artist of 2014.
• Bryan is a 1st-prize winner of the 2016 National Arts Centre Bursary Competition.
• His debut album Violoncelle français on German label audite was recently released to worldwide critical acclaim.
• He plays a 1754 Venetian cello by Bartolomeo Tassini.

About the Prize

• The prize is named after Michael Measures, a music enthusiast and long-time volunteer in the Ottawa arts community.
• At his death in 2008, Measures left a generous bequest to the Canada Council for the Arts to provide development opportunities for young classical musicians and to encourage public recognition of their achievements.
• The prize is awarded to a musician 16 to 20 years of age who is enrolled in the summer training program of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.
• This year’s prize will be presented during a NYO Canada concert in Ottawa at The National Arts Centre on July 22, 2017.

National Youth Orchestra
NYO Canada  (National Youth Orchestra) is Canada’s premier training institute for orchestral musicians. Each year, the best and brightest young musicians compete for a coveted place in the award-winning 100-piece orchestra. Following a grueling six-week residential training institute, the group embarks on a tour. Today, more than 40 per cent of the professional musicians working in Canadian orchestras are NYO alumni.

Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national public arts funder. We champion and invest in artistic excellence so that Canadians may enjoy and participate in a rich cultural life. In 2015-16 we allocated $157.4 million dollars towards artistic creation and innovation through our grants, prizes and payments. We also conduct research, convene activities and work with partners to advance the sector and help embed the arts more deeply in communities across the country. We are responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future for Canadians. The Canada Council Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts.