SENSORY-ACCESSIBLE CONCERTS • FREE
Flutist Jack Chen and Pianist Jennifer King
Sensory-Accessible Concerts travels to beautiful Baddeck, Cape Breton, for a special performance at the historic Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site with flutist Jack Chen and pianist/host Jennifer King. Featuring music by Debussy, J.S. Bach, Poulenc, Chaminade, and more, alongside Cameron Wilson’s "Celtic Partita," this free concert invites audiences to settle in, listen at their own pace, and enjoy live music in a comfortable, supportive environment.
Saturday, September 26, 2026 • 5:30pm
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site • Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Accessible Venue
Ticket Availability: Excellent
Co-presented with Midsummer Music Series
Season Sponsor: NICE MOVES / Red Door Realty
Registration Form
Program Information
Sensory-Accessible Concerts travels to beautiful Baddeck, Cape Breton, for a special free performance at the historic Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site featuring flutist Jack Chen and pianist/host Jennifer King. Presented in solo and duo sets, the program moves from the shimmering colours of Debussy and the playful energy of Ian Clarke’s "The Great Train Race" to music by Chaminade, D’Antalffy-Zsiross, Weiner, J.S. Bach, and Poulenc. The concert also takes a distinctly Celtic turn with Canadian composer Cameron Wilson’s lively "Celtic Partita," bringing the sounds and spirit of Cape Breton into the program. Chen’s expressive and agile flute playing pairs with King’s warmth and sensitivity at the piano for a concert filled with contrasting moods, styles, and musical personalities. Audience members are invited to settle in, listen at their own pace, move as needed, and enjoy live music in a comfortable, supportive environment surrounded by the natural beauty of Baddeck and Bras d’Or Lake.
Our Partners
The Sensory-Accessible Concerts series is made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the J&W Murphy Foundation, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Harrison McCain Foundation, the Craig Foundation, the Unity for Autism Foundation, the Isabel Bader Charitable Trust, the Windsor Foundation, the Cecilia Concerts Season Sponsor Nice Moves / Red Door Realty, and our presenting partner for this performance Midsummer Music Series. We are also grateful for the gifts from the many individual donors who continue to support this important initiative.
Artist Biographies
Jack Chen, flute
Taiwanese-born Canadian flutist Jack Chen lives and performs in Halifax/ Kjipuktuk, Nova Scotia. Jack’s love of chamber music has brought him to the stages of concert series all across the Maritimes, and he has premiered works by many Canadian composers. He appears frequently with Symphony Nova Scotia, Scotia Chamber Players, Cecilia Concerts as well as Inner Space Concerts, a chamber concert series he founded in 2014.
Jack earned his degrees in flute and early music performance from Indiana University and the University of British Columbia. He has shared the stage with artists such as Jeanne Lamon, Bobby McFerrin, and Sir James Galway and has also appeared in numerous PBS television music specials and tours.
In addition to performing, Jack is the Artistic Director of Inner Space Concerts and is on faculty at the Acadia University School of Music. While not playing the flute or teaching, Jack can be spotted enjoying the great outdoors of the east coast kayaking, biking and skiing.
Jennifer King, piano
Spirited and sensitive, Jennifer King is a versatile pianist who enjoys exploring the world of classical music in the 21st century through the presentation of new music and the revisiting of past musical gems. She has established herself as a sought-after talent on concert stages across Atlantic Canada in both the role of soloist and collaborative artist. Her remarkable career spans three decades and the impact of her artistry has inspired the dedication of piano works and a growing number of commissions from Canadian composers. King’s countless contributions to musical life in the province have been celebrated with an Award of Appreciation from the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.
These past several years have seen King truly blossom as a recording artist. Frequently heard on CBC ICI Musique and CBC Radio 2 and 1, her growing catalogue of works began with the 2018 release of O Mistress Moon, a collection of two centuries of Nocturnes and night inspired music. Consecutive releases include a live recording in 2019 (Doolittle: Minute Études “Excerpts”) and a collection of twelve short piano works inspired by fairy tales in 2020 (Twilight Hour: Collected Stories for Piano). In 2022, Jennifer released O Mistress Moon: Canadian Edition which was produced with support from FACTOR and the Government of Canada. Distributed by Leaf Music in Halifax, this set of twelve contemporary piano works embodies the moon, outer space, and the night. The album has received praise for its “dramatic out of this world sonic listening” (The WholeNote); it won Classical Album of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards 2023; has been featured on the cover of Tidal Music’s Piano Spheres playlist; and has seen numerous tracks featured in Apple Music curated playlists. Her latest album Souvenance was Record of the Week on CBC’s In Concert and is continuing to receive international radio play. This album is nominated for Instrumental and Classical Release of the Year with the East Coast Music Association Awards for 2026.
A familiar face on stages across Atlantic Canada, Jennifer has presented hundreds of recitals for many of our region's iconic festivals and concert series. Performing as a soloist and as a collaborative artist alongside some of Canada's most respected singers and musicians, King's recent performances include Nova Scotia Music Week, the East Coast Music Awards, the Scotia Festival Chamber Players Series, the Open Waters Festival, Sunday Music in the Garden Room at Acadia University, and the Cecilia Concert Series. With the latter, King combines her musical gifts and strong community spirit to curate, host, and perform in Cecilia Concerts’ Sensory-Accessible Concert Program. The success of Jennifer’s advocacy is undeniable; audiences for these sensory accessible performances have grown by more than 500% in a single concert season. Jennifer also has co-written a musical play with mezzo-soprano Suzanne Campbell about women gaining the right to vote. “The Bessie Carruthers Study Club” features Jennifer as British composer and suffragist, Ethel Smyth while Suzanne plays the titular real life figure of Bessie. This play won a Prince Edward Island Heritage Recognition Award in March 2024 and received funding to tour by Innovation PEI and PEI Culture Action Plan.
Jennifer’s academic achievements include a Master of Music in solo piano performance from McGill University, a Bachelor of Music from Acadia University, and postgraduate diplomas from the University of Reading (UK) and the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, England. Her artistry has been encouraged through the support of scholarships (Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School (US), the Nova Scotia Talent Trust) and grants (Britten Pears School of Advanced Musical Studies (UK), Arts Nova Scotia, Music Nova Scotia, FACTOR and Canada Council for the Arts. As an artist, King continues grow and explore by pushing boundaries and finding new meaningful ways to build community.
Location
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
559 Chebucto Street • Baddeck, Nova Scotia • B0E 1B0
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for this event?
This is a free event, and advance registration is highly recommended. Registration can be completed online on this page. Registering helps us track audience numbers and make sure we have enough space for everyone. It also allows us to send you a reminder before the event.
How will I receive my registration confirmation?
After registering, you should receive a confirmation email at the email address used during registration. Please keep this confirmation handy on your phone or bring a printed copy with you when you arrive. If you do not receive your confirmation, please check your spam or junk folder, as registration emails are sometimes blocked or filtered by email providers. You may also wish to search your inbox for “Cecilia Concerts” or your event confirmation. If you still cannot find your confirmation, please contact the Cecilia Concerts office before the event and we’ll be happy to help. Rest assured, if you registered online, your name will also be on our guest list at the door.
What time should I arrive?
Doors open 30 minutes before the event begins. We recommend arriving a little early so you have time to check in, find a seat, and get settled before the event starts.
Can I arrive late?
Latecomers are not a problem and can enter quietly after the event has begun.
What is the seating like?
The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site has unassigned seating and there will also be seating on the stage floor. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you require companion seating or have an accessibility-related seating need, please let us know when you arrive.
Are children welcome?
Yes, children are very welcome and are an important part of our Sensory-Accessible Concerts audience. Families are invited to settle in, move as needed, and enjoy the concert in the way that feels most comfortable. You may wish to choose seats close to an exit in case a quick exit is needed during the concert.
Is there a chill space available?
Yes. A comfortable chill space will be available for anyone who needs a break from the concert environment.
Are headphones available?
Yes. Noise-reducing headphones are available for audience members who would like to use them.
Can I move around during the concert?
Yes. Audience members are welcome to move, stretch, change seats, or step out and return as needed.
How long is the event?
Sensory-Accessible Concerts are usually about one hour long and do not include an intermission.
What accessibility features are available?
The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site is wheelchair accessible and includes accessible washrooms, a ramp, and elevator access. Companion seating is available if required. If you have a specific accessibility question before attending, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Can I use my phone during the event?
Please silence your phone before the event begins. We ask that phones and bright screens not be used during the performance, screening, or presentation, as they can be distracting to artists, speakers, and audience members.
Can I take photos or videos?
Photos are welcome before or after the event. Unless otherwise announced, photography, audio recording, and video recording are not permitted during the event.
Is the venue scent-sensitive?
To help make the event comfortable for everyone, we ask guests to avoid wearing strong scents or fragrances when possible.
Is there parking or public transit nearby?
Yes. Free parking is available in a large surface parking lot outside the museum.
What happens if there is a storm?
If a storm may affect the event, registered attendees are encouraged to call the Cecilia Concerts office at 902-423-0143 for a recorded event update. Updates will also be posted on the Cecilia Concerts website and social media channels.
What happens if the event is changed, postponed, or cancelled?
Events are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation. If the event is changed, postponed, or cancelled, registered attendees will be contacted as soon as possible with updated information.