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Community Music in Canada: in the field!

In the summer of 2023, I worked with 3 research assistants to conduct video-based research with leading community musicians in Canada.

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Personal Pandemic: A Socially Distanced Opera

I’m part of a research-creation team led by Eldad Tsabary (Concordia University). We’ve just released our first mini-opera: Personal Pandemic. This was entirely created, rehearsed, and recorded during lockdown. Nobody was ever able to be in the same room together. I think the results are excellent–the concept is that the viewer sees the lead character’s desk top, experiencing the story through her music production and messaging. The opera uses classic bel canto opera as well as hip hop, and incorporates choral components. I am so proud to be a part of this project, bending the rules of opera, and really… Read More »Personal Pandemic: A Socially Distanced Opera

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Spring Arrives with a new look

Spring is here, along with a new look for the web site! My deep thanks to Research Assistant Samantha Tai who really made this happen.  The new web site, and the onset of spring both have me thinking about newness in this particular moment of ongoing sameness, brought on by a global pandemic and 3rd lockdown (here in Ontario) that confines us to our house except for essential trips and exercise.  So I spend most of my waking hours in my little basement corner working. And while I do different activities through my day from teaching seminar courses to leading… Read More »Spring Arrives with a new look

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Inspiration for Teachers

I’m thrilled to tell you that I am the incoming director of Inspiration for Teachers–the teacher education component of Singspiration, the award-winning choral camp for youth (grades 4 to 12) at Concordia University of Edmonton. Participants at Inspiration for Teachers will have many opportunities to observe and work with master conductors Elise Bradley (Junior Choir) and Dr. Graeme Langager (Youth Choir). There are many other amazing presenters through the week, including  Catherine Glaser-Climie (Director of the Cantaré Children’s Choir Program in Calgary), the extremely versatile percussionist Dwayne Hrynkiw, and Alyssa Paterson (Manager of  the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta/YONA-Sistema), among… Read More »Inspiration for Teachers

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the politics of music, the music of politics; aka I’m on strike

Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike! I am (finally, really, truly) close to finishing my ph.d. at the University of Toronto, but as a Teaching Assistant, that means I’ve been a part of the highly publicized CUPE 3902 Unit 1 strike. I have lots of political opinions but perhaps will share those in another post. What I will say here is that I’m pretty sure being on the picket line is the opposite of writing a dissertation in every satisfying way–lots of people, lots of walking (albeit in circles), being blunt clear about the message. Perhaps what I’ve most loved about being… Read More »the politics of music, the music of politics; aka I’m on strike

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Night Songs: Celebrate Earth Hour with Music

This Saturday night, Echo Women’s Choir and Mariposa in the Schools are holding a joint fundraiser at Holy Trinity Church. Tickets are $35, and come with free wine tasting, plus incredible music from the likes of Gurpreet Chana (The Tabla Guy) and Melanie Doane, as well as Echo, and I’m going to conduct one of the songs and sing with them. The whole evening is hosted by Andrew Craig. Echo Women’s Choir is an 80-voice non-auditioned women’s choir based in Toronto that sings an incredible range of repertoire. Mariposa in the Schools is an amazing organization that introduces the world’s… Read More »Night Songs: Celebrate Earth Hour with Music

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Women @ Work: Echo’s Spring Concert

Sunday, May 1st at 3pm Church of the Holy Trinity Toronto, ON Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at door ($8 underwaged/seniors/children) www.echowomenschoir.ca

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New Year’s Resolutions in Reverse

I hate New Year’s resolutions. They’re just a way to set ourselves up for failure. What about the New Year is really going to motivate me to change significant habits in my life forever? Nothing. For years, all I had to show for my brief efforts was a trail of broken resolutions and a dark cloud of failure hanging over me by mid-January. Over the last couple of years I developed this strategy: look backwards instead of forwards. Like a resolution-in-reverse. Look back on your year: what are you most proud of? What did you accomplish? Then celebrate your success… Read More »New Year’s Resolutions in Reverse

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