Events

festivELLE is a biannual celebration of female identifying musicians and composers that showcases innovation and social change through music. As one of the only all female professional orchestras in the world, the award winning Allegra Chamber Orchestra creates relevant, inclusive,  impactful, and innovative live performances. This year, the theme of festivELLE is Migration, Displacement, and Belonging, with each thoughtfully curated performance reflecting elements of the lived experiences of each of us, whether we are immigrants, First Peoples, minorities, or simply finding our way. All self-identifying Indigenous community members are admitted to Allegra events free of charge. 

Journeys forms the centrepiece of festivELLE 2025, and will feature the world premiere of You are Ready to Bloom, the latest work from the fearlessly innovative and multi-award winning composer, Rita Ueda. This groundbreaking piano concerto for speaking pianist and interactive orchestra chronicles and captures the complexity of migration, displacement, and belonging within first-generation Japanese immigrant families arriving in Canada in the 1960's. The astonishing artistry of Megumi Masaki on piano will be combined with the acclaimed Allegra Chamber Orchestra under the direction of conductor Janna Sailor, and feature the interactive choreography of Amy Zoltek, with electrifying projections by Victoria (V) Bell.

Featured Artists:

Megumi Masaki, piano

Amy Zoltek, choreographer

Victoria (V) Bell, lighting and projections

 Allegra Chamber Orchestra

Janna Sailor, conductor