The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts

06/01/2026

NOW ON SALE 🎉

All tickets for the 2026–27 Season are now available for purchase! Explore 25+ events featuring celebrated artists and ensembles including pianist Jan Lisiecki, the National Arts Centre Orchestra with violinist James Ehnes, pianist Janina Fialkowska, Pavel Haas Quartet, Santur artist Sadaf Amini, Jupiter Ensemble, and many more.

From classical and jazz to opera, folk, and family programming, discover an unforgettable season at the Isabel.

Browse the full season and secure your seats today: https://www.queensu.ca/theisabel/whats-on

05/29/2026

Mark your calendars 📆 Single tickets for the 2026–27 Season go on sale to the general public this Monday, June 1.

Want early access before tickets go on sale? Become an Early Bird Subscriber by 4:30pm today by visiting or calling the Isabel Box Office at 613-533-2424. You’ll receive the best seats at the best price, plus a FREE ticket to the National Youth Orchestra of Canada on July 23.

You can still become a Subscriber after June 1! Choose 4+ concerts and save 10%, or choose 8+ concerts and save 15%.

Explore the season and plan your year at the Isabel:
https://www.queensu.ca/theisabel/whats-on

05/28/2026

Reflecting on an exceptional week of artistry at the 2026 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition 🎹

Congratulations again to all six competitors and this year’s prize winners for their remarkable performances.

Read the Queen’s Gazette recap:

Canada’s top talent celebrated at the Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition.

05/25/2026

Tickets are going fast for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30pm 🎟

Experience Canada’s next generation of orchestral talent performing an exhilarating program featuring works by Anna Clyne, Lili Boulanger, and Sergei Prokofiev.

Secure your seats today: https://www.queensu.ca/theisabel/whats-on/nyo-4

05/20/2026

In memory of the late Cris Derksen, we share this performance of 'Returning to Stardust' by 2026 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition First Prize Laureate Eric Guo, performed at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts at Queen's University on May 7, 2026.

Commissioned for the 2026 Competition, 'Returning to Stardust' was described by Cris as “a meditation on before life and after life. Indigenous ideology is we come from the stars and we return to the stars. This piece is about that. - For Marta.”

We are grateful to continue sharing Cris’s remarkable artistic legacy through this work.

05/19/2026

There’s still time to build your 2026–2027 season at the Isabel 🎶

Choose 4+ concerts and save 10% while creating a lineup that’s perfect for you. From world-renowned classical performances to jazz, folk, and more, your next unforgettable night out starts here.

Buy a Subscription before June 1 and receive a free ticket to the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, performing on July 23!

Don't wait - get the best seats before tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, June 1, 2026.

Returning Subscribers can log in to their Isabel account to access tickets online and new Subscribers can reach the Isabel Box Office at 613-533-2424.

Explore the season and subscribe today: https://www.queensu.ca/theisabel/

05/17/2026

The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts at Queen’s University is deeply saddened by the passing of acclaimed Cree cellist and composer Cris Derksen.

Cris was a visionary artist whose work bridged classical, Indigenous, and contemporary music with extraordinary creativity, power, and heart. We were honoured to welcome Cris to the Isabel stage during our 2022–2023 Season, and we are especially grateful to have commissioned Cris to compose 'Returning to Stardust' for the recent 2026 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition. Cris's words about the piece are particularly meaningful at this time: “this piece is a meditation on both before and after life, reflecting the Indigenous belief that we come from the stars and, in time, return to them."

Cris’s artistry and spirit will continue to resonate through the many communities, musicians, and audiences they inspired.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Cris’s family, friends, collaborators, and loved ones during this difficult time.

Photo by Tanja Tiziana.

05/15/2026

Klezmer, Yiddish swing, jazz, and classical music collide in an unforgettable evening with Schmaltz & Pepper at the Isabel.

With virtuosic musicianship, infectious energy, and plenty of heart, this dazzling chamber ensemble brings musical traditions to life in a performance you won’t want to miss.

🎻 Schmaltz & Pepper
📅 Monday, June 15 at 7:30pm

Get your tickets now: https://www.queensu.ca/theisabel/whats-on/schmaltz-pepper

05/12/2026

We’re thrilled to see Eric Guo and the 2026 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition featured by Ludwig van Toronto. Read more about this year’s competition and prize winners!

Toronto pianist Eric Guo, a Glenn Gould School alum, has taken home First Prize at the 2026 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition.

05/11/2026

Once again, we're sharing our congratulations to the Finalists of the 2026 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition!

Over three unforgettable days at the Isabel, these exceptional pianists shared artistry, creativity, and inspiring performances with audiences in Kingston and online around the world.

Please join us in celebrating:
• First Prize: Eric Guo
• Second Prize: Kevin Wang
• Third Prize: Naomi Wong
• The Bader Audience Prize: Kevin Wang
• The Woodland Wealth Prize: Eric Guo
• The Irène Bujara Prize: Naomi Wong
• The Director’s Prize: Linda Ruan

Thank you to all six semi-finalists, our distinguished Jury, audience members, our Master of Ceremonies, the Isabel staff, Queen's University, Woodland Wealth, CBC Music, Bader Philanthropies Inc., and the Bader and Overton families for making this year’s competition such a success.

We are proud to support the next generation of Canadian pianists and can’t wait to see where these artists go next.

📸: Garrett Elliot Photography