Masterclasses and Workshops

Proud to be part of Nova Scotia's vibrant arts community, the Fountain School prioritizes connecting its students with local and international guest artists. You'll learn from a wide variety of performing artists, technical theatre professionals, designers and cinema and media theorists.

Special thanks to Debut Atlantic, Cecilia Concerts, Neptune Theatre, Scotia Festival of Music, Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance (LAMP), the Prismatic Festival, and Symphony Nova Scotia for their ongoing partnerships.

Check back often to get inspired and see what our season of learning opportunities has to offer.

Music Production Workshop with Howard Bilerman

Watch Dalhousie and NSCC young artists to take their songs to the next level while working under the guidance of music producer Howard Bilerman.

Joseph Strug Concert Hall | 1385 Seymour St. Halifax NS
March 2, 2026 | 11:45pm-4:00pm
Free and open to the public
In collaboration with Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), and with the generous support of the J and W Murphy Foundation.

Singer-songwriters from Dalhousie's Fountain School of Performing Arts and students from the Nova Scotia Community College Musical Arts program will present their works to Producer Howard Bilerman who will be working with them as if they were pre-producing studio album versions of their songs.

The audience will have a chance to hear the song’s original version, see the creative recording production process unfold, and finally, hear the transformed song at the end of each session.

Howard Bilerman is a GRAMMY nominated musician, sound engineer & record producer who has been recording bands for over 30 years. As co-owner & head engineer of the hotel2tango recording studio in Montreal, Bilerman has enjoyed working with some of Canada’s most talented artists, as well as others from The USA, The UK, France, Italy, Scotland, Africa, Spain, Ireland, Switzerland, Portugal & Australia. These include Leonard Cohen, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Arcade Fire, Coeur de Pirate, Peter Peter, U.S. Girls, Charloette Cornfield, The Weather Station,  Basia Bulat, Lhasa de Sela, Bassekou Kouyate, Sam Roberts, Patrick Watson, Adam Cohen, Lou Doillon, The Webb Sisters, Wolf Parade and many more. He has been credited on over 500 records to date, including as an engineer on Leonard Cohen's GRAMMY winning song “ You Want It Darker”. Bilerman has been a regular faculty member at Banff Centre, having helped to create their groundbreaking INDIE RESIDENCY & SINGER SONGWRITER programs. Bilerman’s recordings have received international critical praise, and the hotel2tango is seen by many as being at the center of Montreal’s independent musical community.

Chamber Music Masterclass with Thalea String Quartet
March 13, 4:30-6:30pm
Joseph Strug Concert Hall, 1385 Seymour Street, Halifax
In collaboration with Debut Atlantic
free and open to the public

Join us for a Chamber Music Masterclass, with Dalhousie’s string and piano students.

The Thalea String Quartet brings their signature vibrancy and emotional commitment to dynamic performances that reflect the past, present, and the future of the string quartet repertoire while celebrating diverse musical traditions from around the world. Fueled by the belief that chamber music is a powerful force for building community and human connection, the Thalea String Quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and China, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Massey Hall, and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. They have shared the stage with luminaries of the chamber music world, including members of the Emerson, Brentano, and St. Lawrence String Quartets, and they have performed alongside celebrated artists including Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw, violist Lawrence Power, acclaimed Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD and visionary R+B artist Charlotte Day Wilson.

Committed to shaping and contributing to the future of the string quartet repertoire, the Thalea String Quartet has premiered dozens of new works and has collaborated on new commissions with composers including Osvaldo Golijov, Paola Prestini, Anthony R. Green, Akshaya Avril Tucker, and Tanner Porter.

Winners of the 2021 Ann Divine Educator Award from the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the members of the Thalea String Quartet have been celebrated for their innovative approach to education and community engagement.