This upcoming International Women’s day we’re recognizing 4 accomplished women with decades of experience shaping Toronto’s arts and culture scene. We’ll spotlight Heather Morand Clark, who has led the Guitar Society of Toronto for ten years, and revisit a feature on Ineke Zigrossi, Director at Abbozzo Gallery, who celebrated 30 years of fine art exhibitions in 2023. We’ll also reflect on compelling Table 6ix podcast interviews with Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO of the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation, and explore the story of 401 Richmond with founder Margie Zeidler. Read on to learn how these influential leaders continue to drive Toronto’s vibrant arts community.
Q & A with Heather Morand Clark, President, The Guitar Society of Toronto
Heather discovered her passion for the classical guitar at 13 and honed her skills through master classes with renowned artists. For the past 10 years, she has been President of the Guitar Society of Toronto, and she has performed and taught in Caledon for over twenty years, sharing her expertise with the community.
Q: Could you share the story behind the founding of the Guitar Society of Toronto and how it evolved over time?
Heather: “The Guitar Society of Toronto was founded in 1956 by Eli Kassner, an incredible teacher and musician who’s been called the ‘patriarch of classical guitar in Canada’. His story is amazing, but briefly, he arrived in Canada in the early 50’s after escaping the holocaust. His energy and passion for guitar brought him together with other guitar aficionados who played for each other.
The Guitar Society of Toronto grew out of that group. When Andres Segovia played in Toronto, they asked him to be the honorary president, and he agreed. They started bringing in guitarists like Julian Bream, John Williams, and many other pioneers of what was, at the time, not a very well-known or well-respected instrument in the classical music world.
Eli lobbied for academic recognition of classical guitar, and succeeded both at the Royal Conservatory of Music and with the University of Toronto, which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in performance and pedagogy. As the Society grew, Liona Boyd was one of many talented teenagers who benefited from lessons and master classes with the international artists that the Society brought to Toronto. A series of five massive international festivals organized by the Society put Toronto on the map guitar-wise, and launched the careers of many international performers.
Since its early days, the Guitar Society has also built the repertoire for classical guitar, commissioning Canadian and international composers to create new music – including the Toronto Concerto by Leo Brouwer which was performed at Guitar ‘87 by John Williams. The Guitar Society also began to provide scholarships for students at the University of Toronto, and these continue to be awarded today.
Since those early days we’ve continued to evolve and grow. Our international concert series brings in the best guitarists from around the world. We offer performance and learning opportunities for guitar students of all ages through master classes, open mic evenings and our community orchestra. And we bring guitar to new audiences through free outreach concerts in schools and retirement homes.“
Q: Why is it important for musicians to be part of communities?
Heather: “Speaking as an amateur musician, there is little more satisfying than sitting in a concert venue with a fantastic guitarist performing sublime music, and knowing that everyone there is hearing, feeling…sharing…the same magic. Live music is such a great experience – recorded or online is just not the same. During the pandemic, it was this experience, the sense of shared enjoyment that we missed so badly. Organizations like the Guitar Society help young musicians find their way in the guitar world, and help professionals connect with other professionals and with the audiences that love their music.”
Q: How did you come to be President of the Guitar Society of Toronto, and what have been the key highlights of your decade-long leadership?
Heather: “I volunteered to help publicize the Guitar Society concerts about 20 years ago. I had been to a couple of concerts, and the audiences were very small. It turned out that either the board wasn’t aware of the many free event listings available, or they had no one to submit the information, so I offered. I gradually started taking on more responsibilities, which eventually led to being on the executive, and then president since 2015.
A definite highlight has been the opportunity to meet so many amazing musicians from all over the world, including some well-known guitarists who are almost household names. I still get a kick out of hearing someone playing a piece on the radio, and it’s someone I know personally. And speaking of the radio, I still get a kick out of being interviewed on air!“
Q: Having played the guitar since you were 13, what changes have you observed in the music scene? In light of International Women’s Day, have you noticed any shifts in the perception of the guitar as a male-dominated field and an increase in female participation?
Heather: “There is just so much more information available now! I remember having a few LPs of John Williams, Julian Bream, Alexander Lagoya, and my family often listened to classical music…but now it’s so easy to find everything at your fingertips.
And absolutely there has been a shift from being male-dominated. Social media has noticed, and continues to point out when there is a festival or season announcement where all the performers or teachers are male. There are some absolutely amazing women playing classical guitar, and why not? There is nothing male about the instrument. In 2021 a woman won the Guitar Foundation of America competition for the first time in 20 years; in 2024 the winner was one of two women among the four finalists…probably for the first time ever. And I’m very proud of the fact that our own concert seasons continue to feature some of the greatest women guitarists in the world!“
Q: What does the future hold for the Guitar Society of Toronto, and how do you envision its role evolving in the coming years?
Heather: “The Guitar Society has so many initiatives now, aside from our International Concert Artists – from continuing scholarships, sponsoring master class opportunities for students, a community guitar orchestra, monthly open mics, and an outreach program that funds guitar concerts and workshops in schools and retirement homes. This is such a benefit to both performer and audience, as they provide valuable performance experience to aspiring professional guitarists and give audiences a taste of live classical music played on guitar. We are also committed to increasing the classical guitar repertoire by commissioning new music from young, up-and-coming Canadian composers.
As we prepare for our 70th anniversary season in 2025-26, we have some wonderful artists lined up, both Canadian and International, and the season will culminate with a special edition of the Toronto Guitar Weekend in April of 2026.
One of my personal goals has always been to introduce the classical guitar to as wide an audience as possible. People who love guitar, which is one of the most popular instruments in the world; people who love classical music – I mean, I guess I’m biased, but why wouldn’t anyone love the sound of classical guitar!”
The Guitar Society of Toronto has some fantastic events on the horizon. Coming up in March you can experience the virtuoso Mēla Guitar Quartet from the U.K., and in April, the 2025 Toronto Guitar Weekend is taking place, which will feature Concerts, Guitar Orchestra, Open Mic, Luthier/ Vendor Fair, Lectures, Masterclass, and Brunch with the Artists.
Ineke Zigrossi, Director, Abbozzo Gallery
Image Left: Group Exhibition Wavelengths, Image Right: Director Ineke Zigrossi
For over 30 years, Abbozzo Gallery has showcased regional and international modern and contemporary art—from photography and painting to sculpture and prints. The gallery also offers fine art services such as consultation, installation, appraisal, and collection management. On its 30th anniversary, we caught up with Director Ineke Zigrossi to discuss the gallery’s evolution and what art enthusiasts can expect when visiting. Here’s a look back.
Margie Zeidler, Founder, 401 Richmond
In 1994, Margaret Zeidler and the Urbanspace Property Group acquired a former factory and, over the next three decades, revitalised it. Today, 401 Richmond is home to over 150 tenants—from art galleries (like Abbozzo) and fashion designers to non-profits and tech companies—showcasing Margie’s enduring impact on Toronto’s urban landscape. Check out her episode.
Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO of the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation
Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO of the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation, brings over 25 years of expertise in cultural policy, arts funding, partnerships, stakeholder relations, and non-profit governance. In our discussion on Table 6ix, she highlighted the crucial role of public art in shaping vibrant, inclusive communities throughout Toronto. Check out her episode to learn more!