Biography in Music
Starting in the arts at a young age, Keegan Hedley has always been a dedicated performer. His beginnings in drama and theatre eventually led him to music. Hedley's emotional interpretations, graceful performances, and playing style have established him as an up-and-coming young player.
Bassoon
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As a freelance bassoonist, Hedley has made himself known throughout lower Ontario and perform(ed)s with various ensembles like Sinfonia Ancaster, The Blessed Trinity Concert Band, and the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
He is a sought-after recital player accompanied by his musical partner, Larissa Basset. Their collaborations throughout Niagara have been exceptionally well received.
A student of Anna Norris, Keegan Hedley seeks out constant opportunities to improve and enrich his playing. In February 2024, Hedley performed at a masterclass with Dr. Jeffrey Lyman during Wilfred Laurier University's Double Reed Day at the invitation of Kathleen McLean. Hedley has taken instruction from other notable players such as Jill Solomon, Eric Hall, and Cathi MacDonnell.
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Keegan Hedley joined the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra's 2024-2025 season under the direction of Colin Clarke. This orchestra has been his most fruitful ensemble experience yet.
In April, Hedley made his Carnegie Hall debut as Principal Bassoon of the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra under the batons of Caron Allan and Colin Clarke. The orchestra performed alongside a roster of other ensembles, and earned a gold rating at the New York International Music Festival. The orchestra performed the works of Saint-Saens, Bartok, Marquez, and Oscar Peterson.
Conducting
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Hedley is early in his conducting journey, having been given informal instruction from local conductors. Hedley's love for conducting began in 2022 when he stood in to direct his beginning band room during his teacher, Angela Maccaroni's absence. She and Hedley felt the band should continue rehearsing during her illness, and that he (having prior musical knowledge) should lead. It would be the spring of the next year that he would have a debut with The Blessed Trinity Concert Band, where he conducted John William's theme from E.T.
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Hedley also spent time in rehearsal with the Burlington Symphony Orchestra observing Maestro Denis Mastromonaco. Hedley spent time on the podium with the orchestra, gaining much appreciated and needed experience in front of an ensemble.
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Hedley wishes to continue his conducting journey, and though now on a temporary pause to focus on his bachelor's in performance, Hedley is sure to return to the podium.
Bassoon Continued​
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In the fall of 2025, Keegan Hedley will begin his Bachelor's of Music at McGill University's Schulich School of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Martin Mangrum and Stephane Levesque. He is the recipient of multiple scholarships, including the Denis H. Davis Scholarship, awarded to only five incoming undergraduates for academic standing and music performance.
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Hedley is particularly grateful to those who have helped him achieve his goals, notably Larissa Basset, Angela Maccaroni, Fraser Jackson, Anna Norris, Eric Hall, and Nancy Nelson, among many others.
Keegan Hedley in the News
Education and Study
2021-2025
Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary
2024-2025
Private Study with Anna Norris
Feb 2024
Masterclass with Dr. Jeffrey Lyman
2025-2029
Bachelors of Music, McGill Schulich School of Music, Prof. Stéphane Lévesque
Positions
2023-2024
Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (Principal Bassoon)
2024-2025
Sinfonia Ancaster (Section Bassoon)
2024-2025
Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra (Section Bassoon)
Repertoire Performed
Solo Works
Composer
Piece
Romanian Folk Dances
Soliloquy
Songs for Bassoon and Piano
Krunk
Sonata for Bassoon and Cello, Movement II
Concerto for Bassoon, Movement II
Vocalise-Etude
Béla Bartók
Bernard Garfield
William Grant-Still
Komitas
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
--
Maurice Ravel
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Year Performed
2025
2024
2025
--
2024
2025
--
Ensemble Works
P - Principal, C - Contrabassoon
Composer
Piece
Romanian Folk Dances
Danza Del Sol
Symphony No. 8 in G major
Symphony No. 9 "from the New World"
Meri Sakkhi Ki Avaaz
Testament
with brightness round about it
Children's March
Piano Concerto in A Minor
Rückert Lieder
Conga Del Fuego Nuevo
Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt
Symphony No. 5, "Reformation"
Adoration
Capriccio Espagnol
Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Symphony No. 2, "Ukrainian"
Der Freischütz (Overture)
Béla Bartók
Kevin Day
Antonin DvoÅ™ák
--
Reena Esmail
--
Nancy Galbraith
Percy Grainger
Edvard Grieg
Gustav Mahler
Artruro Marquez
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
--
Florence Price
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Giachino Rossini
Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky
Carl Maria von Weber
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Year Performed
2024 (P), 2025 (P)
2024
2025
-- (P)
--
--
--
-- (C)
2024, 2025 (P)
2024
2024, 2025
2024
--
2025
--
-- (P)
2024
2025
Chamber Works
Composer
Piece
Wind Quintet, No. 1
Wind Quintet, No. 2
Franzi Danzi
--
Year Performed
2024
2024
Works Conducted
P - Performed, R - Rehearsed
Composer
Piece
Year Performed
Ensemble
Symphony No. 9, Movement I
Theme from "E.T."
Antonin DvoÅ™ák
John Williams
2023
2024
Blessed Trinity Concert Band (P)
Burlington Symphony Orchestra (R)