Hailed as “one of Canada’s leading performers of contemporary music,” saxophonist Wallace Halladay has premiered numerous works for his instrument. Having begun his studies in his native Toronto, he holds a Bachelor’s degree with Honours from the University of Toronto Faculty of Music in Performance and Composition. While pursuing his undergraduate work, he was awarded numerous scholarships and was a concerto competition winner.

Continuing in Boston with a Chalmers Performing Arts Training Grant (Ontario Arts Council), Wallace achieved his Master’s degree at New England Conservatory of Music under Professor Kenneth Radnofsky. A scholarship and award winner, he graduated With Honors and a rare Distinction in Performance.

Wallace completed post-graduate studies in the Netherlands at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with internationally renowned saxophonist, Arno Bornkamp, with grants from the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. While in Holland, he also managed to find time to travel to Utrecht for supplementary baritone saxophone lessons with Willem van Merwijk of the Aurelia Quartet.

Further studies include saxophone masterclasses with Jean-Marie Londeix (Fr), Marcus Weiss (Switz), Maria-Noel Luzardo (Arg), Jean-François Guay (Can), and James Umble (US). He has worked closely in chamber music with such new music masters as John Heiss, Steve Drury, and Walter van Hauwe.

Orchestral experiences include performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and as a fellow of the Tanglewood Music Centre, working under such conductors as Seiji Ozawa, André Previn, Oliver Knussen, and Stefan Asbury.
Wallace has performed in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia, with broadcasts on the CBC, WGBH (Boston) and Radio Nederland. He has performed the concerti of Ibert, Husa, Scelsi, and Donatoni. In November of 2001, he gave the premiere of Michael Colgrass’ saxophone concerto Dream Dancer in Toronto. In February, Wallace gave the North American premiere of Kagel’s concerto for baritone saxophone and choir, Burleske, presented at the Glenn Gould Studio by New Music Concerts. This year, Wallace recorded the two saxophone Sequenzas of Luciano Berio for NAXOS Records, the world’s largest classical music label.

In the Fall, Wallace will join the faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, as saxophone professor and lecturer in theoretical studies. 2004-05 season highlights include appearances with new music ensembles across Canada, including Kumquat, Earshot!, and Toca Loca. Highly sought after as an artist/clinician, Wallace will continue to give concerts and masterclasses to universities, including a guest appearance at the University of Toronto’s New Music Festival.