NEWS
Recent news from Prairie Debut
Pan-Canadian Tour Applications Open!
Calgary, June 19, 2025
Following the resounding success of its first two editions, Debut Atlantic, Jeunesses Musicales Canada (JMC), and Prairie Debut are thrilled to announce the return of “Roadtrip!”, the collaborative pan-Canadian tour for emerging classical artists, scheduled for the 2027–2028 season.
This exciting initiative gives one outstanding Canadian artist or ensemble the opportunity to embark on a national tour, performing in diverse venues across the country—from concert halls to intimate community spaces and schools.
The tour has previously featured exceptional talents such as Duo meagan&amy (violinist Amy Hillis and pianist Meagan Milatz) and La Fiammata Piano Duo (pianists Linda Ruan and Charissa Vandikas). Together, these artists presented over 65 performances in 13 provinces and territories, connecting with thousands of Canadians through the transformative power of live music.
“I never expected how completely the Pan-Canadian Tour would change me as a musician and as a person. This life-changing experience continues to remind me of why I do what I do and how lucky I am to be in this profession,” says Linda Ruan of La Fiammata Piano Duo.
The third edition of “Roadtrip!” will run from September 2027 to April 2028, featuring approximately 35 performances across Canada. This is a unique opportunity for emerging musicians to share their artistry while building meaningful connections with communities nationwide.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Eligible candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and must not submit a project that has previously toured with any of the three organizing bodies
Applications are to be submitted electronically via Jeunesses Musicales Canada, who will coordinate the process on behalf of all three organizations.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025
For full eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and to access the registration form, please visit:
Learn more
ABOUT DEBUT ATLANTIC
Bringing Canada’s exceptional classical music artists to Atlantic Canadian communities since 1979, Debut Atlantic takes the guess work out of presenting excellence in the genre by curating a five-tour season of primarily emerging artists, available to presenters throughout the Atlantic region. Additionally, Debut Atlantic is deeply committed to educational and community engagement activities as well as offering an annual scholarship to an exceptional Atlantic Canadian high school music student.
ABOUT JEUNESSES MUSICALES CANADA
Jeunesses Musicales Canada (JMC) is a talent incubator that boosts the careers of the best emerging artists, while helping to democratize classical music for audiences of all ages. Today, JMC seasons include over 1,200 musical activities presented across Canada, ranging from high-calibre concerts to exciting musical activities for young audiences.
ABOUT PRAIRIE DEBUT
Prairie Debut brings some of Canada’s finest emerging and established classical and global musicians to mainly rural communities outside the larger centres in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Territories. Audiences are able to access exceptional musical performances by Canadian artists, via concert, education and outreach activities that contribute to community enrichment and artist development.
Erin Sparks
Executive Director
Debut Atlantic
902 429-6812, erin@debutatlantic.ca
Erin Whittaker
Head of Communications
JM Canada
514 845-4108
ewhittaker@jmcanada.ca
Po Yeh
Executive Director
Prairie Debut
403 862-2954, pyeh@prairiedebut.com
Explore the archive of Prairie Debut press releases.
Pan-Canadian Tour Applications Open!
Calgary, June 19, 2025 – Following the resounding success of its first two editions, Debut Atlantic, Jeunesses Musicales Canada (JMC), and Prairie Debut are thrilled to announce the return of “Roadtrip!”, the collaborative pan-Canadian tour for emerging classical artists.
Announcing 2023-24 Pan-Canadian Touring Artists
Calgary, June 5, 2018 – Violinist Amy Hillis and pianist Meagan Milatz – also known as meagan&amy – have been selected for a pan-Canadian tour offered by Debut Atlantic, Jeunesses Musicales Canada and Prairie Debut in 2019-2020.
Pan-Canadian Tour Selection
Calgary, June 5, 2018 – Violinist Amy Hillis and pianist Meagan Milatz – also known as meagan&amy – have been selected for a pan-Canadian tour offered by Debut Atlantic, Jeunesses Musicales Canada and Prairie Debut in 2019-2020.
Ladom Ensemble Tours Classical Fusion in Western Canada
December 2018 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Calgary, December 30, 2018 In January 2019, audiences across Alberta and Saskatchewan will experience Ladom Ensemble’s unusual and internationally-inspired fusion of chamber and world music in a concert series touring with...
Pan-Canadian Tour Selection
Calgary, June 5, 2018 – Violinist Amy Hillis and pianist Meagan Milatz – also known as meagan&amy – have been selected for a pan-Canadian tour offered by Debut Atlantic, Jeunesses Musicales Canada and Prairie Debut in 2019-2020.
Tournée PanCanadian
Trois organismes canadiens spécialisés en musique classique s’allient afin d’offrir à un-e artiste ou à une formation canadien-ne de la relève une tournée pancanadienne en 2019-2020.
Pan-Canadian Tour
September 2017 | Three Canadian classical music organizations join forces to offer a pan-Canadian tour to an exceptional Canadian emerging artist or musical ensemble in 2019-2020.
Prairie Debut Has Moved!
July 2017 | Please update your records
2018/19 Touring Artists
July 2017 Our 2018/19 Season will feature four touring artists. We are very excited to showcase their incredible talents at the fall booking conferences in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Keep in touch to find out more about these musicians, showcases will be...
Po Yeh Appointed
May 2017 | Po Yeh joins Prairie Debut as the new Executive Director, commencing July 2017. She comes to Prairie Debut from the Honens Piano Competition, where most recently as Director, Corporate & Community Engagement, she managed corporate development,...
Lynne Bailey Retires
February 2017 | Prairie Debut confirms the retirement of Executive Director Lynne Bailey
Duo Milot & Bariel Tour
January 2017 | Duo Milot and Bariel’s Duos & Duels tours Western Canada with Prairie Debut this February
The relationship of the performers and their passion for the music played is the foundation of Duo Milot & Bareil.
Bach Jazz by Flûte Alors!
January 2017 | Prairie Debut’s first tour of 2017 will be the recorder quartet Flûte Alors! who will be performing in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta this month. Dynamic and versatile, Flûte Alors! is not afraid to push the limits of traditional recorder...
Duo Fortin-Poirier Tour Success
December 2016 | Duo Fortin-Poirier successfully completed their Prairie Debut Tour last month. The Duo performed to sold out crowds in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon. Pianists Amélie Fortin and Marie-Christine Poirier, received standing ovations and praise from the...
2017-18 Touring Artist Showcases
December 2016 | Prairie Debut’s 2017-18 Touring Artists showcased at the Prairie Contact events this fall. Congratulations to Henderson-Kolk Duo, The Chooi Brothers and Proteus Saxophone Quartet on their incredible showcases. All three artists wowed the conference...
RBC Foundation Sponsorship
October 2016 | Prairie Debut thanks sponsor The RBC Foundation – Emerging Artist Project, a fund that contributes to Prairie Debut’s ability to bring our artists to small communities throughout Alberta and Yukon. We are grateful to RBC for their generous...
Duo Fortin-Poirier
September 2016 | Duo Fortin-Poirier will begin Prairie Debut’s 2016-17 touring season, performing concerts in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Yukon. The duo, featuring pianists Amélie Fortin and Marie-Christine Poirier, has been heralded as one of the most promising of...
Strategic Planning
May 2016 | Prairie Debut’s board and staff completed an amazing strategic planning meeting this past May in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Big ideas were discussed, the mandate reviewed, and the organization looks forward to continuing its role in the arts in western Canada....
apply to tour with prairie debut
Each year, we invite emerging and established Canadian musicians to showcase and tour with Prairie Debut. World-genre and classical musicians who consider music to be their professional career are invited to apply to be part of our 2020-21 season.
Applications open in January.