Masaki, a Professor of Piano at BU’s School of Music, received the award for her work spanning more than four decades, during which she has played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian musical culture. The CMC highlighted her leadership in promoting equity, reconciliation, and inclusion within the arts, and her efforts to amplify underrepresented voices, particularly women, Indigenous, and marginalized artists.
In its citation, the CMC noted that Masaki has “transformed the way we experience sound, performance, and community.”
Over her distinguished career, Masaki has held numerous leadership roles, including:
- Artistic Director, Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition (since 2006)
- Director, Brandon University New Music Ensemble
- Director, BU New Music Festival (held this week), showcasing student compositions and performances
- Founder, Rising Stars outreach program (2006), bringing Canadian music to prairie communities
- Director of Music, Banff Centre (2023–2024)
Masaki’s artistic practice is known for blending sound with image, text, electronics, and computer technology, reshaping the piano into both a visual and musical instrument and redefining performance spaces.
Her achievements have been recognised nationally, including appointments to the Royal Society of Canada and the Order of Manitoba.
The Violet Archer Lifetime Achievement Award is named after the celebrated Canadian composer and educator Violet Archer, who composed more than 280 works across a career spanning six decades.
The CMC Prairie Region, founded in 1980, works with local organisations across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to support and promote Canadian composers and music.