About Nadina

The only bassoonist known by her first name, Nadina Mackie has redefined what it means to be a soloist. Dozens of works have been written for her. Her award-winning recordings and books have become touchstones for musicians around the world. Raised in the northern forests of British Columbia, Nadina entered university at 16. Within two years, she won a full scholarship to Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music. After successful auditions for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, Nadina made her concerto debut with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra before skipping her own graduation ceremonies to start her career with the Montreal Symphony.

Her formative years with the Montreal Symphony coincided with an era of major international touring and recording, leading to performances across Europe, Asia, and the Americas in halls such as Carnegie Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. Appearances as a soloist during this time launched a career that has since spanned hundreds of performances and an extensive, award-winning discography, including Bacchanale, Romanza, Canadian Concerto Project, and Vivaldi Volume I with plans to continue recording the remaining 31 Vivaldi concerti and all of the new concerti written for her.

Nadina later became principal bassoonist of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, while also co-founding the Caliban Quartet of Bassoonists and expanding into historical performance with ensembles including Tafelmusik, Apollo’s Fire, and the Handel & Haydn Society. Today, she is recognized as the most widely recorded solo bassoonist in Canadian history. A frequent presence on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Nadina has been featured as both performer and host. Her recordings continue to reach international audiences. A committed collaborator with composers, she has inspired numerous new works, including the recent concerto CARNIVAL by Augusta Read Thomas. The recording, on the disc Terpsichore’s Box of Dreams, was named BBC Music Magazine’s Recording of the Month (June 2024) and was shortlisted for orchestral album of the year.

Equally respected as a teacher and thinker, Nadina performs, lectures, and leads masterclasses internationally, encouraging musicians to move beyond the rigid constrictions of classical music. Her books—Solitary Refinement, Book of Birds, and Open Sky Bassoon—explore the intersection of discipline, creativity, and artistic identity. Nadina is the founder of the Council of Canadian Bassoonists, a national charity that has helped launch the careers of young musicians across the country. The first woman to hold a tenured bassoon position in a major Canadian orchestra, she continues to be recognized as a trailblazer and advocate for the next generation. Through her work as a performer, author, and educator, Nadina Mackie has expanded the possibilities of her instrument—and remains a singular voice in classical music.

Work With Nadina

I love to play new and old concerti for bassoon and orchestra, including co-commissions and recording projects. Also, lessons, discussions and lectures on my crazy career bassoonist, artist and author. Also interested in anything involving hands-on projects involving music, art, words, kids, community outreach… I am interested! It all starts with 101 emails, so contact me and let’s get this show on the road!