August 26, 2015

The opening of Mount Royal University's Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts was celebrated with an inaugural concert in the new Bella Concert Hall. Performing in the 773-seat hall were Calgary wunderkind pianist 10-year old Kevin Chen, Mount Royal alumnus violinist Timothy Chooi and mezzo-soprano Alicia Woynarski. Referencing the rural barn structure ubiquitous on the Calgary plains, the design incorporates deployable banners and panels to finely tune the acoustics. Other components of the Centre, which provides musical instruction for students of all ages, include a large multipurpose rehearsal/performance studio for 85 musicians, ensemble studios, master classrooms, flexible teaching studios and practice rooms, recording studio, multilevel lobby and performer support spaces. The Bella provides not only the University with a new state-of-the-art performance space but also the local community with a much needed mid-size facility.