Trio Cecilia
Building on the success and warm reception of Duo Cecilia, we are thrilled to introduce Trio Cecilia for a special outreach project. For these unique concerts, Duo Cecilia—renowned for their engaging and intimate performances—expands its sonic palette by joining forces with the acclaimed Ottawa guitarist Louis Trépanier. This collaboration brings together flute, piano, and guitar to create a uniquely textured and captivating chamber music experience.
Trio Cecilia is dedicated to sharing the profound beauty of classical music with every generation. Our new configuration allows for a rich and varied repertoire, all presented with the approachable charm and artistic excellence that defines our ensemble.
We believe in the power of live music to connect, comfort, and inspire, and we are excited to bring this special musical offering directly to the community.
Bios:
Gertrude Létourneau
Reaching new audiences and engaging them in the musical experience has always been at the heart of Gertrude Létourneau’s career. Originally from St-Césaire, Québec, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Music at the University of Ottawa and her Master’s Degree in Performance at the University of Montreal. She was involved in two innovative programs: the “Musical Performance and Communication Program” in Toronto and the “Performance and Communication Skills Program” at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. These courses focused on connecting with the audience and finding new venues to perform.
Gertrude worked as a therapeutic musician at Perley Health in Ottawa for 23 years. She is an active freelance musician presenting concerts in various senior homes. She presents several workshops in the Building Bridges series, on topics including stage presence, presenting concerts in the community, and music for dementia care. These have been delivered for organizations such as the Music and Health Research Institute, the National Organisation for Arts in Health (NOAH), and the Orchestra and Opera Canada conference. She has presented music-theatre performances across Canada and has taught children of all ages, including those with learning disabilities. She also studied flute with Geoffrey Gilbert in Florida and has received the National Arts Centre Orchestra Bursary.
Gertrude is a member of Duo Cecilia with Catherine Donkin, pianist. She released two CDs: “Habanera” for flute and guitar with Garry Elliott and “histoires d’amour…” for voice and piano. She was a finalist in the singing competition Ma Première Place des Arts 2017 in Montreal. Gertrude has presented concerts in various venues in the Ottawa area including the National Arts Centre and Almonte in Concert with the internationally acclaimed traditional music group “The Chris Norman Ensemble”.
Catherine Donkin
Catherine Donkin is an active piano teacher and performer in Ottawa. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree with Distinction from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Ottawa, both in Piano Performance. Career highlights include a duet performance at Carnegie Hall after placing first in the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, and another at the Grieg International Piano Competition, where she performed in the Duo Rideau piano duet. She has also performed with orchestra at the University of Alberta, the University of Ottawa, and in a piano duet concerto written by Canadian composer Christine Donkin with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra. Other groups Catherine has played in include the Ottawa Chamber Players and the Donkin Trépanier Piano Guitar Duet.
She currently performs with Gertrude Létourneau in a flute and piano ensemble called Duo Cecilia. Among other performances, Duo Cecilia performed several times for Chamberfest, the MERA concert series, and the Ponticello series. Catherine maintains a busy private teaching studio, with students of all ages and levels, and some students attaining recognition provincially and nationally. In 2024 Catherine was awarded ORMTA Ottawa’s Contribution to Teaching award. She is the current president of the Suzuki Association of Ottawa-Gatineau, was an Associate Faculty member (piano instructor) in Carleton University’s Music Department for many years, and is also a founding member of both the uOttawa Summer Music Academy’s piano course, and the Ottawa Piano Festival. Catherine was the recipient of a City of Ottawa Arts Grant in 2023, which provided funding for her to record 20 of her sister’s (Christine Donkin’s) compositions. In 2025 she was awarded the grant again for the same project, and is now working towards recording the next set of Christine’s pieces.
Louis Trépanier
Over a career that is now well into its third decade, Louis Trépanier has shown himself to be a seasoned chamber musician, occasional soloist, experienced pedagogue, composer and arranger, always with his customary energy and sensitivity. He is a founding member of the Canadian Guitar Quartet, as well as Trio Tangere. With these two ensembles, as well as through various other collaborations, he has performed on three continents and judged competitions on the national and international levels. He completed his formal musical education in 1998 at the Conservatoire de musique de Hull with Patrick Roux; Louis also furthered himself by working with leading musicians in masterclasses or in collaboration projects. Since 2002, he has been teaching at the University of Ottawa’s School of Music, where he is the Coordinator of the Guitar Sector. Louis plays a guitar by Jean Rompré.
Media:
Repertoire
The “Musical Postcards” program is a thematic concert designed to transport the audience on an international journey. Each piece serves as a musical portrait from a different corner of the world, chosen for its melodic beauty, cultural colour, and emotional resonance. The repertoire includes evocative excerpts from:
- Pablo de Sarasate’s Romanza Andaluza (Spain)
- Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances (Romania)
- Fikret Amirov’s Six Pieces for Flute and Piano (Azerbaijan)
- Maurice Ravel’s Habanera (France/Spain)
- Franz Doppler’s Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise (Hungary)
- Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango (Argentina)
- Radames Gnattali’s Chiquinha Gonzaga (Brazil)
This selection showcases a diverse tapestry of classical and folk-inspired music, spanning the Romantic period to the 20th century, performed on the intimate combination of flute, piano, and guitar.
Testimonials
Gertrude Létourneau and Catherine Donkin, Duo Cecilia, are excellent, engaging musicians. Their programs are rich in depth and variety, their sound is elegant, and their ensemble impeccable. They change colours and styles effortlessly throughout their scope of repertoire.
PLUS, they are completely charming on stage and off. Our audiences, seniors in long-term and memory care, assisted and independent living, and members of Seniors’ Active Living Centres, welcome Duo Cecilia with open arms every time, and the feedback is always full of superlatives.
Concerts in Care highly recommends Gertrude and Catherine as both superb professional musicians and community engagers with heart and soul.
Debra Chandler, Executive Director, Concerts in Care Ontario
Dear Louis,
Thank you again for your excellent work with the young audience in our Music Scores program. Your easy rapport and wonderful playing connected with the children, as it does with all ages. You have many new fans in Parry Sound.
James Campbell CM, Artistic Director, Festival of the Sound
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