MacLachlan/Ridge Emerging Artist Program
Bringing Emerging Canadian Talent to the Calgary Phil
Founded by Letha MacLachlan, KC and John Ridge, the MacLachlan/Ridge Emerging Artist program provides a bridge between academic excellence and professional careers in the highly competitive arena of world-class performance. The Calgary Phil is committed to developing the next generation of artists by presenting emerging Canadian musicians in Calgary, supported through the MacLachlan/Ridge Emerging Artist program.
“We want to ensure that young artists get into the mainstream to advance their careers and to sustain and enrich classical music. We invite you to help us support emerging artists through this program by making a donation.”
– Letha MacLachlan, KC and John Ridge
Since her professional debut at age 11, Luka Coetzee has appeared as soloist with orchestras worldwide including the Helsinki Philharmonic, Lahti Symphony, Cape Town Philharmonic, and more. Luka received numerous awards including First Prize in 2023 at the eminent 7th International Paulo Cello Competition.
Luka frequently performs at schools, hospitals, senior homes, and community events. She was the Calgary Regional Director of the Back to Bach Project, “a global initiative to inspire music and arts education to young children.” At the age of one, Luka had her first cello lesson with Christine Bootland. She graduated from the Advanced Performance Program at the MRU Conservatory where she collaborated with and was mentored by Susanne Ruberg-Gordon. Other previous mentors include John Kadz, Johanne Perron, Horacio Contreras, and currently, by Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt at the Kronberg Academy, funded by the Casals Patronage. Luka also started playing piano at the age of three and finished the Royal Conservatory of Music ARCT piano exam with First Class Honours under the instruction of Derek Chiu.
Luka performs at the Calgary Phil’s upcoming concert, It Takes Two: A Symphonic Collaboration.
It Takes Two: A Symphonic Collaboration
23 + 24 January 2026 / 7:30PM
Jack Singer Concert Hall
The MacLachlan/Ridge Emerging Artist program has presented the following emerging Canadian artists to perform with the Calgary Philharmonic:
2024/2025 Season — Anna Stube
2023/2024 Season — Bryan Cheng
2022/2023 Season — Ryan Zhu
2020/2021 Season — Kevin Chen
2018/2019 Season — Jaeden Izik-Dzurko
2017/2018 Season — Isabella Perron
2016/2017 Season — Charles Richard-Hamelin
2015/2016 Season – Sheng Cai
2014/2015 Season – Blake Pouliot
2013/2014 Season – Pavel Kolesnikov
2012/2013 Season – Andrea Tyniec
Contact
Barbara Soles
Senior Development Officer
403.571.0267