Pianist Linda Ruan Concludes Tour at Brandon University Tonight

Pianist Linda Ruan, the winner of the 2025 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, will perform tonight at Brandon University’s Lorne Watson Recital Hall. This concert marks the final performance of her national winner’s tour, which has taken her across Canada.

Ruan, who received a prize of $6,000 from the competition, is set to take the stage at 19:30. The concert is part of the university’s School of Music’s professional series, and it will be the ninth and last stop on her tour. Earlier performances included cities such as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Celebrating Young Talent

The opportunity to witness young musicians develop their skills is one of the highlights of the competition and the subsequent tour. Leanne Zacharias, acting Dean of Music at Brandon University, expressed excitement for Ruan’s return. “Linda wowed the judges during her performance here in April, and her return engagement this month is sure to be even more spectacular,” Zacharias stated.

The E-Gré competition has been held annually at Brandon University since 1976, rotating its focus among voice, strings, and piano. The upcoming 2026 edition will feature vocal performances, with finals scheduled for April 17–19 at the School of Music.

Inspiring Future Generations

According to Dianna Neufeld, director of the Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory of Music, the competition serves as a vital platform for emerging artists. “The musicians who join us for the E-Gré competition wow us with their talent and dedication, and Linda’s concert promises to be another inspiring experience,” Neufeld remarked.

Tickets for tonight’s performance at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall are priced at $20 and will be available at the door. Admission is free for students of Brandon University and the Conservatory of Music.

The School of Music acknowledged the generous support of both the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council, emphasizing the importance of community support in promoting the arts.