Maestro Bujar Llapaj

Albanian-born, multi-award winning conductor Bujar Llapaj is a prominent figure in the Balkan classical music scene. He received his formal training at the Academy of Arts in Tirana and the Conservatoire National de Rueil Malmaison in France. He was appointed as the Principal Conductor of the West Coast Symphony Orchestra in 2008. Bujar has conducted concerts throughout Europe and he still travels abroad as a guest conductor.

Bujar is known for his dedication to the pursuit of excellence in music and music education. He acted as the artistic director of the Albanian National Theater of Opera and Ballet where he featured performances of music by famous composers like Mozart, Rossini, and Verdi, as well as hosted world premiers of works by upcoming Albanian composers. Bujar also founded the New Philharmonic Orchestra where he acted as both the artistic director and conductor. Before his moving to Canada, Bujar was the department chairman of conducting and singing at the Academy of Arts in Tirana, where he developed new programs in conducting and pedagogy.