Welcome To The Calgary Performing Arts Festival!

Take The Stage. Be Heard.

We’re excited to announce our 2024 Festival dates! Live performances will begin on April 16 and run until May 3, 2024.

We welcome our performing arts community to join us!

At CPAF, our mission is to enrich our community by cultivating and celebrating aspiring performers. This is something we’ve been passionate about for the past 94 years.

Our premier event has allowed young Alberta artists to experience the richest musical experience at the early stages of their performing careers.

Solo, Ensemble, and Chamber performances across multi-disciplinary performing arts are eligible to participate in our music festival.

Registrations will open Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023

Registrations close Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at 11:59 pm MST

Why get involved?

The reasons you participate might be different than others

If you’re a performer

If you love to perform, being in front of an audience improves your confidence and comfort in front of a large group of people.
The training you receive is about more than just performing on a stage. It is also about a focus on work ethic, discipline, kindness, being positive, collaboration, community, and being confident in who you are. These are all transferable skills which will be useful wherever you go in life.
Receive empowering, in-person, impartial feedback from reputable adjudicators. These important recommendations allow you to play and compete at the next level.
Have the prestigious CPAF on your resumé.
Relationship-building: Meet others in the Alberta youth arts community and industry, and build your network.

If you’re a music teacher

This gives your students the critical experience of performing in front of other performers and receiving impartial feedback from reputable, international adjudicators.

This is a rare opportunity for your students to perform in a professional space, on a large stage. Taking this stage can inspire them to go further than even they imagined.

If your students plan to take exams to further their musical journey, this is a perfect opportunity to practice and receive feedback.

If you’re a parent

CPAF is a prestigious event with the opportunity to win up to $40,000 worth of scholarships.
It helps with goal-setting. With a performance date in mind, there is something to work towards. It’s not just more practice.
This isn’t just about playing an instrument; it’s about developing life skills: leadership, confidence, time management, etc.
Participants get critical, impartial feedback from reputable, international adjudicators.

Their Story

Emily Black - Alumna- Piano Performance

"My most memorable moment with CPAF was when I was performing in a recital, and my piece did not go as expected. I got nervous and completely forgot where I was in my piece! I very nervously turned to my adjudicator and asked if I could start again."

CPAF has set the Stage!

2023 Scholarships & Award Winners

Provincial Nominations

Adjudication Team

Performance Rankings

Stars OF THE FESTIVAL

Help build the next generation of our performing arts community

Your generous support will help us nurture a strong and vibrant performing arts scene. Art gives us meaning and helps us understand our world. Art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us feel good. We elevate our mood, improve our ability to problem solve and open our minds to new ideas.

Funds raised each year allow opportunities for aspiring young performers through reputable, international adjudication, quality programming, and experiences that build performing arts in our community. For years to come.

As well, your donation helps young performers who may not otherwise be able to participate.

Donate Now