NACO Korea & Japan Tour 2025

NACO Korea & Japan Tour 2025 May 25 – June 8, 2025

Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra is embarking on a monumental tour—the 99th since its founding in 1969. The Orchestra returns to Japan for the first time in four decades and debuts with Alexander Shelley in the Republic of Korea.  

From honouring jazz legend Oscar Peterson at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, to presenting international premieres of works by Kelly-Marie Murphy and Keiko Devaux, the NAC Orchestra and its creative partners will celebrate the brilliance of Canadian artists across generations.

  • Busan, Korea

    May 29, 2025

  • Gumi, Korea

    May 30, 2025

  • Seoul, Korea

    May 31, 2025

  • Tokyo, Japan

    Jun 3, 2025

  • Tsu, Japan

    Jun 5, 2025

  • Osaka, Japan

    Jun 7, 2025

Fostering meaningful cultural exchanges through

Empowering the next generation

The NAC Orchestra believes in supporting youth and emerging talent in Canada and around the world. During the tour, the Orchestra and its creative partners will host dynamic community engagement, professional development, and cultural exchange activities for emerging and early-career artists. From performances to workshops to masterclasses, these opportunities will foster meaningful and lasting connections, highlighting the importance of sharing arts and culture across borders.

Building cultural and community bridges 

Members of the NAC Orchestra will serve as cultural ambassadors on this international journey. As part of a vital national role extending beyond the concert hall, the musicians and their artistic partners, including members of OrKidstra and Sistema New Brunswick, will unite Canadian, Korean, and Japanese voices to showcase the strength of the arts and culture sector at home and abroad. 

Performing for the world at Expo 2025 Osaka

The NAC Orchestra will perform at Expo 2025 as part of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Oscar Peterson’s birth. The Orchestra will join forces with the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet, led by Canadian pianist Robi Botos, and a children’s choir from the Friends of El Sistema Japan to present new versions of two of the late great Canadian jazz legend’s most recognizable works.

Showcasing Canadian creativity

This tour will shine an international spotlight on homegrown talent. Audiences will experience a showcase of Canadian creation and performance, including works by contemporary composers Kelly-Marie Murphy and Keiko Devaux, alongside new arrangements and orchestrations of old favourites from jazz icon Oscar Peterson. 

Celebrating excellence

First-rate performances in some of the finest concert halls in Korea and Japan alongside star piano soloists and former NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program participants will affirm the Orchestra's status as a world-class ensemble committed to artistic excellence. 

Tour performers and composers

  • National Arts Centre Orchestra
  • dscf9130-curtis-perry-2-cropped
    Music Director Alexander Shelley
  • yeol-eum-credit-marco-borggreve-3-cropped
    Piano Yeol Eum Son
  • Piano Olga Scheps
  • Composer Kelly-Marie Murphy
  • Composer Keiko Devaux
  • yu-kai
    Violin NACO Mentorship Yu Kai Sun
  • kanon-itoh-cropped
    Violin NACO Mentorship Kanon Itoh
  • Viola NACO Mentorship Emily Kistemaker
  • Cello NACO Mentorship Evelyne Methot

Expo 2025 Osaka performers and composers

  • Music Ensemble Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet
  • oscar-peterson
    Composer Oscar Peterson
  • Piano Jaeden Izik-Dzurko
  • Music Ensemble Sistema New Brunswick

Cultural exchange artists and partners

  • Resident Conductor Henry Kennedy
  • adrian-anantawan-headshot-cropped
    Violinist Adrian Anantawan
  • Music Ensemble OrKidstra
  • Music Ensemble Sistema New Brunswick
“This journey is more than a series of concerts in iconic halls. It’s about cultural exchange and community engagement. The NAC Orchestra is passionate about learning from our hosts, understanding and sharing our own traditions, and bringing back experiences that will inspire and enrich our Orchestra for a generation.”
  • dscf9130-curtis-perry-2-cropped
    Music Director Alexander Shelley
  • Tour Champions Earle O'Born & Janice O'Born, C.M., O.Ont.
  • Education Partner Dasha Shenkman, OBE, Hon RCM
  • Supporting Partners Adrian Burns, LL.D. & Gregory Kane, K.C.
  • Supporting Partner R.N.C. Tennant