It's World Piano Day! Celebrate 325 years of piano history with a performance by pianist Kenna Burima, featuring iconic instruments from the National Music Centre’s collection in the new Piano 325 exhibition.
About Kenna Burima
In her adopted hometown of Calgary (Moh’kinsstis, Treaty 7), Kenna Burima has earned a reputation as a fearless songwriter, collaborator, producer, teacher, and writer.
Since doing her time in the institutional hallowed halls of classical music education, Kenna’s love for all creative forms has driven her involvement in a diversity of projects. Collaboratory and theatrical work dovetails into her daily concerns of performance gigs, free public singalongs, teaching music and songwriting and writing about creativity.
Kenna’s solo albums span classical-cabaret-pop-rock and jazz; musical affairs that draw on her vast technical and artistic know-how. The complexities of her songwriting reflect the heart of an artist who is never content to restrict herself to one genre, one project, or one ideal. She can gently whisper you to sleep or scream with abandon in your ear. She’s happy doing both in one song if she can. Her latest album While She Sleeps is available now on streaming platforms everywhere.
About Piano 325
Piano 325 is a new National Music Centre exhibition celebrating the 325th anniversary of the piano, opening in time for World Piano Day on March 29.
Over three centuries, the piano — shaped by the innovations of countless builders and manufacturers — has remained one of the most important and versatile instruments in music, influencing nearly every genre and artists from Beethoven to Elton John.
Piano 325 spotlights the stories of the builders and manufacturers who played key roles in the instrument’s evolution and lasting impact on music. The exhibition will feature renowned names like Broadwood & Sons, Erard, Heintzman & Co., and Steinway & Sons, alongside lesser-known pioneers like Johannes Zumpe. A rotating selection of rare and historic instruments from NMC’s collection will also be showcased, including an 1899 Broadwood grand piano.