A Winter-themed Classical Music Concert with Tessa Fackelmann (Mezzo Soprano) & Jerome de los Santos (Piano)
Fri, Dec 19 at Dënäkär Zho / KIAC Ballroom
Doors open at 7:30 / Music at 8:00
Pay-what-you-want
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A Winter-themed classical music concert with Tessa Fackelmann (Mezzo Soprano) & Jerome de los Santos (Piano)
Co-presented by the Yukon Arts Centre
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Tessa Fackelmann, mezzo-soprano, is rapidly emerging as a distinctive voice among the next generation of operatic talent, praised for her expressive tone, compelling stage presence, and emotional depth. In 2025, she made her role debut as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with Sarasota Opera, and was later named an International Finalist in the Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition. An alumna of The Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice Singer Program, Fackelmann made her company debut as the Kitchen Girl in Rusalka (2023), followed by her role debut as Ruth in the world premiere of The Righteous (2024). She also covered Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni during her time there.
Recent accolades include being named a 2024 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition National Semifinalist, receiving the Rumbold Vocal Prize from Edmonton Opera, and the Grand Jury Prize from Opéra de Montréal. Highlights of her 2025/26 season include debuts with Opéra de Montréal (Jenůfa), The Dallas Opera (The Little Prince), and Edmonton Opera’s Bravi! Opera’s Greatest Hits. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Fackelmann continues to build a dynamic career defined by versatility, sincerity, and a deep connection to text and character.
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Originally from Los Angeles, Jerome de los Santos is quickly establishing himself as a collaborative pianist in Montréal. A natural collaborator, Jerome’s affinity for exploring language and music has led him to a wide-ranging career in opera, art song, music theatre, dance, and other forms. He is in demand as a ballet pianist and serves as a member of the music staff at Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Ballets Jazz Montréal, and Danse à la carte.
This summer, he served on the music staff at the Académie internationale vocale de Lachine and was a featured soloist with the orchestra Ensemble Obiora in Saint-Saëns’ Le Carnaval des animaux, conducted by Rafael Payare at Maison Symphonique. In May 2026, he will be the rehearsal pianist for Bizet’s Carmen at Opéra de Montréal.
Jerome holds degrees from the Schulich School of Music of McGill University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, and has received further training at the Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and the Atelier Lyrique at Opéra de Montréal, where he is currently a member of the music staff.
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Thanks to our funders: Government of Canada, Yukon Government, and Canada Council for the Arts
And our local sponsor Northern Vision Development / The Downtown Hotel
And a huge thanks to our co-presenter Yukon Arts Centre
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Artist In Residence Activities & Outreach
Artist in Residence activities include artist talks, studio tours, interactive events, and more.
Founded in 2001, in a partnership with Parks Canada, the KIAC Artist in Residence Program has welcomed over 300 talented artists, musicians and filmmakers to Dawson City from all regions of Canada and around the world. Our alumni include Sobey Art Award nominees, Western Canada Music Award winners, and prize-winning filmmakers from film festivals across the globe.
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Film Events
Film activities include film screenings, film selections, and more.
KIAC is proud to host an exciting roster of film screenings and film-related events throughout the year, such as the 48 Hour Film Challenge and Dawson City International Short Film Festival, numerous workshops, and other opportunities.
Exhibitions
Exhibition activities include gallery viewing hours, exhibition openings, artist talks, calls for submissions, and more.
ODD Gallery
The ODD Gallery, located in the Dënäkär Zho / KIAC building, presents a wide array of outreach programming including artist talks, openings, lectures, screenings, youth programs and other special events. Gallery programming fosters professionalism and appreciation of regional visual arts practice, and provides the community with exposure and access to a diverse range of contemporary visual arts practices and theories in a remote, northern setting.
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Kids & youth activities include: music lessons, art classes, dance classes, book readings, toddler classes, after-school programs.
Year-Round Programming
Kids and Youth (toddler to teen) programming ranges from music lessons (vocals, piano) to dance class (ballet, hip hop, and more), to hands-on workshops (pottery, screen-printing, animation and more) and is offered regularly throughout the year. KIAC strives to subsidize Kids & Youth programs as much as possible via grants and funding. Programming ranges from free Drop-Ins to registered weekly programs.
Youth Art Enrichment
Youth Art Enrichment is an annual four-day art program for Yukon youth hosted by the Klondike Institute of Art & Culture in Dawson City. Artistically-inclined youth ages 14 – 18 travel from across the Yukon to take part in intensive workshops led by professional artists. Students choose one of three mediums to study for the duration of the program, learning new skills, techniques, and ways to creatively make artwork for the world to see. The mediums change every year: we have offered printmaking, animation, painting, carving, stained glass, illustration, improv, and much more over the last two decades.
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Performing Arts
Performing arts activities include: concerts, theatre and dance performances, open mics, radio broadcasts, special events, and more.
KIAC presents a year-round professional performing arts series in the beautiful second floor Ballroom that actively engages our community and provides inspiring performance opportunities for international, national, and regional artists in many disciplines. Our diverse programming includes jazz, classical, folk & roots, experimental, dance, theatre, and more.
Workshops
Workshops include: weekly drop-ins, registered programs, weekend workshops, and more.
KIAC presents a year-round schedule of educational opportunities ranging from drop in programs (pottery, screenprinting, seniors painting, concert band), to registered workshops (dance, music, film, visual art, craft, textiles, etc), to professional development opportunities for artists (grant writing, artwork documentation, etc).
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