Chad Emry Heltzel has performed in concert halls throughout North America and Europe, and enjoys a versatile career as a conductor, pianist, and pedagogue. As Artistic Director of the Vancouver-based Erato Ensemble, he continues to lead groundbreaking programs of contemporary music for voice and chamber ensemble from both the podium and piano. Recent engagements include invitations to appear as guest conductor in the annual University of Toronto New Music Festival, where he has collaborated with internationally renowned composers on world premieres, including the Canadian premiere of Salvatore Sciarrino's celebrated opera The Killing Flower (Luci Mie Traditrici). Equally comfortable in the standard repertoire, Heltzel has guest conducted the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Milton Philharmonic, University of Toronto Opera, Opera Nuova Summer Arts Festival, Pembroke Symphony Orchestra, and the Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra.

As concerto soloist, he has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony, Royal Conservatory Orchestra, and l'Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal where he was winner of the concerto competition. Invitations to many of Canada's prestigious concert halls include engagements as recitalist and chamber musician at the Banff Centre, Centre d'Arts Orford, Montreal's Place des Arts, La Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur, and the Glenn Gould Studio.

In addition to an active performing career, Dr. Heltzel has been invited to present lectures and master classes throughout Canada and United States at the International Piano Professionals Association, Portland Piano International Summer Festival, Syracuse University, and University of Victoria's School of Music. He has taught orchestral conducting, piano, and chamber music at both the University of Toronto and l'Université de Montréal. Dr. Heltzel currently serves the piano and chamber music faculty at Vancouver Academy of Music and is a senior examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music's College of Examiners. For more information on the artist, including media and upcoming concerts, please visit www.chadheltzel.com.