Alexander Merpaw is the 2024 winner of the Nicole Senecal Emerging Artist Award, which goes to the top graduating student at the uOttawa School of Music, where he studies with David Jalbert. Along with a $10 000 scholarship, the award included a debut recital at the Chamberfest this past summer. Alexander began playing piano at the age of three under the guidance of his mother. He is currently completing his graduate diploma at the University of Ottawa with David Jalbert after recently completing his undergraduate degree under the same guidance (as well as studying briefly with Carson Becke). Amongst Alexander’s many concerts and accolades are the first prize at the University of Ottawa concerto competition, allowing him to perform the Chopin e minor piano concerto with the University of Ottawa Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Dinuk Wijeratne. He also won second prize in his category in the Canadian Music competition, played solo and chamber recitals at the Ottawa National Arts Center, and solo concerts at the DOMS concert series in Ottawa. Other notable achievements include performances at the Gilles-Lefebvre Concert Hall as well as studying with pianists such as Andre Laplante, Kevin Kenner, and Evelyne Brancart during his past residencies at the Orford Musique summer academy. Masterclasses include performances for Charles-Richard Hamelin, Andre Laplante, and Jamie Parker.