WEYBURN, Sask. — A musician who grew up on a farm near Weyburn is returning to Saskatchewan in a new role in one of the province’s longstanding chamber music series.
Montreal-based pianist Meagan Milatz has been appointed the new artistic director of the Cecilian Chamber Series, a Regina concert series founded 15 years ago by Lore Ruschiensky. Milatz will lead the series alongside Executive Director Ann Walsh, taking over the artistic direction as Ruschiensky passes the baton to a new generation.
The appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the series and a homecoming of sorts for Milatz, who grew up on a farm near Weyburn where she studied piano with Cherith Alexander for many years. She later moved to Montreal for further studies and has remained based there ever since as an established performer. She will be returning to Saskatchewan regularly throughout the 2026-27 season, which features six concerts with some of Canada’s and the world’s most distinguished chamber musicians.
“I’m thrilled that this new role will bring me back to Saskatchewan more regularly,” says Milatz.
“I grew up here, and the musical community in Saskatchewan played such an important role in my development as a musician. It’s very special to now have the opportunity to contribute to that community in a new way.”
The season opens Sept. 20 with Canadian violinist James Ehnes and pianist Andrew Armstrong. Ehnes, a Prairie-born musician and one of Canada’s most celebrated classical artists, is marking his 50th birthday with an extensive concert tour taking him to every province and territory in Canada. Ehnes has received 12 Juno Awards and performs on a 1715 Stradivarius violin.
The series will welcome internationally acclaimed Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin on Oct. 25, with pianist Michael McMahon. Gauvin has performed major operatic roles around the world, including Japan and Paris, and has appeared with leading orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Montreal Symphony. McMahon is himself a four-time Juno Award winner and recent Member of the Order of Canada.
The Nov. 8 concert features Trio Hélios, one of France’s most exciting emerging piano trios. The ensemble has performed at such prestigious venues as Wigmore Hall in London and the Philharmonie de Paris and Salle Cortot in Paris. Their Canadian tour will also take them to Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
The series continues Jan. 31 with the Poiesis Quartet, winners of the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition, the 2026 Cleveland Quartet Award and the Grand Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. The quartet combines more traditional works with vibrant new pieces by emerging composers, including Canadian composer Kevin Lau.
Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko, winner of the Honens International Piano Competition, returns to Regina on March 14, with a “Fantasy” program bringing together music by Brahms, Beethoven and Liszt.
The season concludes April 18 with the Viano Quartet, winners of the Banff International String Quartet Competition and recipients of the 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant. The quartet has recently performed with internationally renowned pianists Stephen Hough and Marc-André Hamelin. For the second half of the program, the Viano Quartet will be joined by Milatz for Schumann’s Piano Quintet, bringing together one of North America’s leading young string quartets with the series’ new artistic director.
The April concert is supported in part by the Bill and Helen Davidson Foundation. Helen Davidson was from Weyburn and supported music and cultural initiatives in the community and across Saskatchewan.
“It's especially meaningful to me that the series has the support of the Bill and Helen Davidson Foundation,” Milatz says.
“Helen Davidson’s support for music in Weyburn and throughout Saskatchewan was something I was greatly impacted by growing up.”
The Cecilian Chamber Series concerts take place in Regina’s Darke Hall on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m., making the series accessible to music lovers from communities throughout southern Saskatchewan, including Weyburn.
The 2026-27 season includes:
Sept. 20 – James Ehnes & Andrew Armstrong.
Oct. 25 – Karina Gauvin & Michael McMahon.
Nov. 8 – Trio Hélios.
Jan. 31 – Poiesis Quartet.
March 14 – Illia Ovcharenko.
April 18 – Viano Quartet & Meagan Milatz.
Tickets and information are available at www.cecilianchamberseries.ca
