PSO INSPIRED

Apr 12, 2026 3:00 PM
Showplace Performance Centre

Buhr: Akasha (Sky)  

Respighi: Botticelli Triptych (Trittico botticelliano)

Mozart: Flute Concerto no. 1 in G major, K. 313/285C

Mozetich: Postcards from the Sky

Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite

Rising flute star Gillian Derer will perform Mozart’s enchanting Flute Concerto in G Major. The orchestra will explore music inspired by nature, tradition, and visual art – an experience not to be missed.

Join Maestro Newnham for a pre-concert chat at 2:15PM 

Gillian Derer

Canadian flutist Gillian Derer is an imaginative emerging artist, known for her passion, dedication, and dazzling on-stage energy. Gillian inspires as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician, and her career has been shaped by some of the world’s most highly regarded flutists, including Susan Hoeppner, Emmanuel Pahud, Marina Piccinini, Jennifer Gunn, Julien Beaudiment, and Jacinthe Forand. Gillian obtained her Bachelor of Music with high distinction from Western University in 2022 under the tutelage of Sharon Kahan, and currently studies with Susan Hoeppner in her first year of the Artist Diploma program at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory on full scholarship.

Gillian’s solo career has earned her many accolades; most recently, she was named the Absolute First Prize winner of the Canadian International Music Competition (2023) and a Gold Prize winner of the Schubert International Music Competition (2023). Gillian was the first place winner of the Western University Concerto Competition (2021), and a finalist of the Oakville Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition (2022). Other awards and scholarships include the Dean’s Excellence Award in Music (2022), the Sandra Towler Flute Scholarship (2021), and the Wendy S. Hunter Memorial Award (2021). Gillian was also the first prize winner of the Norfolk Music Festival (2016, 2017, 2018). She has performed a number of solo recitals for sold-out audiences.

An avid learner, Gillian enjoys taking part in masterclasses and institutes around the world. The Consummate Flutist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2018), Domaine Forget in Quebec, Canada (2021, 2022), and Orford Music Academy in Quebec, Canada (2022) are among the institutes she has participated in. This summer, Gillian joins the Scotia Festival of Music as a flutist in the prestigious Young Artist program on scholarship.