1. A Dream Comes to Life
In 2014, mother-daughter duo Christine Mori and Alexis Spieldenner founded Bravo Niagara!, turning a dream into reality. For the inaugural festival, they transformed the industrial-chic Press Alley at Stratus Vineyards into a one-of-a-kind concert hall. The festival featured powerhouse performers Molly Johnson, Robi Botos, Mike Downes, and classical virtuosos Grigori Zamparas and Nadia Azzi. Their first season concluded with the Ehnes Quartet’s Ontario debut, setting the stage for a decade of extraordinary performances.
2. Voices of Freedom
Launched in 2015, the Voices of Freedom Festival amplifies underrepresented voices through the arts. This meaningful initiative has featured inspiring performances by global and Canadian artists, including Monty Alexander’s Harlem-Kingston Express, Robi Botos’ Romani Experience, Measha Brueggergosman’s Songs of Freedom, Blackburn Brothers, Larnell Lewis Band, Richard Bona, Sultans of String, Jackie Richardson, Dominique Fils-Aimé and more.
3. Honouring Music Legends
Bravo Niagara! has proudly celebrated music icons, from the Inaugural Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival to The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra. We’ve marked milestones like the 85th Anniversary of Blue Note Records with The Blue Note Quintet, honoured Dave Brubeck’s centennial with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, showcased The Manhattan Transfer’s final Canadian performance during their 50th Anniversary Farewell Tour, and paid tribute to The Music of Oscar Peterson with Céline Peterson—creating truly unforgettable moments!
4. Jazz Stars Who Lit Up the Night
Jazz has always been at the heart of Bravo Niagara!. Over the years, our stage has welcomed electrifying performances by artists like Kurt Elling, Yellowjackets, Laila Biali, Robi Botos Trio, Emmet Cohen, Justin Kauflin, Paul Marinaro, Molly Johnson, Gerald Clayton, Jumaane Smith, Dominic Mancuso Group, Pavlo, Alfredo Rodríguez, Pedrito Martinez, Alex Cuba, and many more!
5. Classical Virtuosos on Our Stage
Our classical programming has showcased some of the world’s most celebrated artists while championing the next generation of talent. Past performers include James Ehnes, MILOŠ, Jan Lisiecki, Jon Kimura Parker, Cheng² Duo, Ofra Harnoy, Mari Kodama, Karin Kei Nagano, Charles Richard-Hamelin, Valérie Milot and Stéphane Tétreault, Chooi Brothers, Julian Schwarz and Marika Bournaki, Christina Petrowska Quilico and Marc Djokic, the Ehnes Quartet, and more!
6. Canadian Solo Debuts That Dazzled
Bravo Niagara! has proudly introduced remarkable artists to Canadian audiences with solo debuts by Emily Bear, Brandon Goldberg, Julia Bullock, and Peter Bence. (Fun fact: Emily Bear went on to win a GRAMMY and made history as the youngest Disney composer for her work on Moana 2!) Most recently, we partnered with the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre to present the Canadian debuts of Japanese piano stars Kyohei Sorita and Hayato Sumino.
7. Community Connections
Some of our most cherished moments have come from uplifting young talent and engaging with our local community. Through master classes, workshops, and film screenings, we’ve fostered deeper connections between audiences and these remarkable artists. Students from Laura Secord Secondary School and the Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir have shared the stage with renowned artists like Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Bakithi Kumalo, and Measha Brueggergosman.
8. A New Ballet Brought to Life
One of Bravo Niagara!’s most significant achievements is the creation, commissioning, and world premiere of Kimiko’s Pearl, an original ballet inspired by the family history of our co-founders and based on the Japanese Canadian internment of World War II. Nearly four years in the making, this production brought together over 70 creatives, performers, and production team members, blending original music, dance, and visual art. The journey of Kimiko’s Pearl continues in 2025!
9. Groundbreaking Productions
Bravo Niagara! continues to innovate and push creative boundaries. With Kimiko’s Pearl, we partnered with leading audio and acoustics company Meyer Sound to create the first immersive ballet of its kind. During the pandemic, we kept the arts alive with digital shorts, virtual concerts, and a global remote performance of We Are the World featuring over 150 artists and students, showcasing the unifying power of music.
10. A Community of Artists and Arts Lovers
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible community of artists and arts lovers who have been part of Bravo Niagara!’s journey over the past decade. We are deeply grateful to our artists, audiences, partners, and supporters who have embraced our vision of bringing exceptional artistry and unforgettable moments of creativity, connection, and inspiration to Niagara wine country. We look forward to sharing many more awe-inspiring experiences with you in 2025!