Yesterday, we had an exceptional experience photographing Alexander Shelley, the Music Director of Canada's NAC Orchestra. Alexander kindly invited Jennifer and I to his backstage dressing room after a unique two-day recording with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, The Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and Canadian piano sensation Kevin Chen.
Anyone who has seen Alexander Shelley in performance has witnessed his passionate - almost ballet-like movements and his skilled approach to how he conducts and guides the orchestra. If you've ever met Alexander in person, you get to experience his kindness and his personable and curious focus. Regardless of his many responsibilities and time restraints, he can make your time with him feel like you're the only person in the world. Yesterday, we mostly talked about family and life - Alexander is a family man and a kind human first, then a conductor and music director (or perhaps it's the culmination of them all which makes him such a special person).
I'm very grateful for his time collaborating on yesterday's photography and his kind friendship. Thanks, Alexander!
Cheers, Dwayne.
Alexander Shelley / Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, as well as Principal Associate Conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Artistic and Music Director Designate of Artis - Naples and the Naples Philharmonic.