BIOGRAPHIES
Nora Bumanis and Julia Shaw began their collaboration as Canada’s first professional harp duo in 1988 when they were the principal harpists of the Edmonton Symphony and the Calgary Philharmonic orchestras respectively. Since that time, they have been heard frequently in recital and with symphony orchestras and choral groups across the country, as well as on CBC radio and television. Receiving great critical acclaim, their performances have been described as “virtuosic”, “highly refined” and “enchanting”.
They have recorded four CDs on the CBC Records label, three of which are dedicated entirely to music for two harps. Their most recent release, entitled Bach to Bach, immediately climbed to the top of CBC’s Galaxy chart for classical music. They joined forces with Mario Bernardi and the CBC Radio Orchestra for their fourth CD where they perform Marjan Mozetich’s Passion of Angels. They have also collaborated with them for broadcast recordings of Jean Francais’ two-harp concerto and Malcolm Forsyth’s Andante from Sagittarius.
Nora and Julia continue to explore and expand music for two harps and have a particular interest in promoting the music of Canadian composers. Hesperides, a unique song cycle for two harps and mixed choir by Malcolm Forsyth, has proved to be enormously popular. In addition to works by Mozetich and Forsyth, they have premiered compositions by John Estacio, Jose Poneira, Howard Cable and Allan Gilliland. They have also developed a humourous children’s show, designed to introduce the harp to elementary students.
Nora and Julia continue to travel across Canada to perform in both large and small centres. Their extensive and varied repertoire combined with an easy-going rapport make their performances a delightful experience for audiences of all ages.
NORA BUMANIS has been the Principal Harpist of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra since 1980. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she studied with Judy Loman. She also studied with Alice Chalifoux at the Salzedo Harp Colony in Camden, Maine.
In addition to her busy orchestral schedule in Edmonton, she has also performed with many Canadian orchestras including the Toronto Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, and the CBC Radio Orchestra in Vancouver. As a harp soloist she has given recitals in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Seattle, Mexico City and Prague to name a few and has presented chamber music on both radio and television with international artists.
Nora is on the teaching faculties of the University of Alberta, Alberta College Conservatory, King's University College and teaches master classes at the International Festival of Youth Orchestras at the Banff Centre, Alberta. From 2001-2003 she was the Managing Director for the Jasper Festival of Music and Wine in Jasper, Alberta. Nora performs for many charitable events and is an active Rotarian.
A native Texan, JULIA SHAW received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Houston where she studied with Beatrice Rose and then went on to earn her Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Lucile Lawrence. While in New York she played with the New York City Ballet, the New Jersey Symphony and with various musical productions.
Julia spent twenty-one years as the Principal Harpist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and during that time taught at Mount Royal College and the University of Calgary. She also worked extensively at the Banff Centre. Now based in Stratford, Ontario, Julia continues to perform as an orchestral harpist with many Canadian orchestras and other organizations such as the National Ballet of Canada, Stratford Festival and Toronto's megamusical productions. She has been featured on both CBC radio and television and maintains a busy schedule as a teacher, adjudicator and chamber musician.
