Pianist Jacques C. Després has concertized for four decades on three continents. Since his 1978 debut with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Després appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras. Notable recordings include world premiere of the complete piano works of Joseph Martin Kraus and the Kraus’ complete chamber music works on the Naxos label. A leading lecture-performance artist, Després has been invited to numerous schools in North America and Asia, including the Juilliard School and Central Conservatory of China (Beijing). Després completed his doctorate at the University of Stony Brook. He holds a Master’s degree from the Juilliard School, a Unanimous First Prize from the Quebec Conservatory, and the Artist Diploma with High Distinction from Indiana University as a student of György Sebök. Other teachers include Adele Marcus, Gilbert Kalish, William Masselos and Christiane Sénart. He has been a Professor of Music at the University of Alberta since 2005.