Megumi Masaki’s HEARING ICE project seeks to mobilize positive social and environmental change through the sharing of personal stories, scientific facts, and interactive artistic works. We aim to raise awareness of climate change on ice and amplify voices of impacted communities through the research, development and creation of new substantial piano+multimedia narrative works. This process has many layers, uncovering personal stories, scientific facts and the synergy that translates into sonic and visual results.

While each work brings together different artists, scientists, and communities to explore distinctive perspectives of climate crisis, dynamic interactions throughout centres a common environment where all voices have equal weight.

HEARING ICE connects us with our environment and provides hope in a time of crisis.

Megumi Masaki is an innovative pianist, interactive multimedia performing artist, educator and curator. For over thirty years, she has established a reputation as an internationally recognized “mind expanding” (Frettabladid) interpreter of new music with “electric and intimately sensitive musicianship” (BroadwayWorld Ireland). Her work explores new models of interaction and integration of sound, image, text and movement in multimedia works through new technologies, including hand-gesture-motion tracking to generate and control live-electronics and live-video, 3D visuals, piano controlled computer game, AI, e-textile sensors and active infra-red tracking. With this work, Megumi aims to create new immersive environments and expressive potentials for the piano and pianist. As a Japanese-Canadian artist, her work examines hybridity in multiracial identity and Asian music, and strives to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Megumi is a Full Professor of Piano at Brandon University’s School of Music and the director of its New Music Ensemble and New Music Festival.
Her success in teaching was recognized with the 2010 Brandon University Alumni Association’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her teachers include Leonard Isaacs, Peter Katin, Ronald Turini, Jack Behrens and Kendall Taylor.