Hey guys, I decided to try something new 🙂 Check out my first Career Advice Vlog!
Enjoy 🙂
PARKSHOW 2016: Miami Inspired
This weekend, fellow blogger Emily and I had the privilege to attend PARKSHOW 2016. If you haven’t yet read Emily’s post, PARKSHOW is a fashion and art showcase, set up but the non-profit organization, PARK (Promoting Artists | Redefining Kulture). This year, the showcase was Miami-inspired, meaning edgy beach-wear and a lot of amazing street art.
The murals and abstract works featured at PARKSHOW was absolutely amazing. My personal favourites were the mixed media pieces by David Brunner, shown below!
Unsurprisingly, the fashion part was unique and well executed. Each designer presented their own take on the Miami vibe, that fit perfectly together. Styles ranged from high-waisted bikinis to leather jackets with varied prints on the back, as well as retro pant suits. Every single piece was bold and accurately expressed the designers’ creativity and outlook. The models were also stunning and did an extraordinary job engaging the audience.
PARK is presenting PARKSALE throughout June, where they’ll be showcasing Canadian designers and artists at CF Chinook Centre. Definitely check out PARKSALE if you’re interested in getting a glimpse at all the things that PARK has to offer!
Child prodigies
Ah yes, child prodigies, how wonderful. Just when you thought that you were good, you come across a tiny little child, who is five years younger than you are, yet twenty times better than you think you’ll ever be. Aren’t they just the best for your self confidence?
A few days ago, as I was taking a break from practicing violin, I was listening to some recordings of Sarasate’s Zigneunerweisen, when I stumbled upon this video of a girl named Mercedes Cheung playing it, at Banff Centre Artists Concert. I was completely in awe. Not only is Zigneunerweisen difficult to spell and pronounce, it’s a very high level piece, and it’s such a virtuosic composition, with so many technical difficulties, it’s extremely hard to be able to play it at a performance tempo, let alone with the great tone and clarity that Ms.Cheung performed it at, and at such a young age (around 9, I believe). As a violinist, even just watching the video, listening to all the fast runs, the left-hand pizzicato, was absolutely terrifying.
And in awe, I clicked on the description, hoping that it would somehow tell me the secret to playing that well (it did not). But what I found there was equally incredible. If my jaw had already been dropped, it was completely on the floor now.
At the age of 8, she was admitted with a full scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music Pre-College Young Talented Program as the 2010 youngest winner. Soon after she turned 9, she had passed the ARCT Violin Performer’s Diploma Practical Exam (the highest performing standing awarded by the Royal Conservatory of Music (or RCM)). She’s the youngest one in the history of the RCM to pass ARCT and the grade 10 violin exam (which she did at age 7), with first class honours (meaning she scored 90 or higher out of 100). Mercedes currently studies with Donald Weilerstein (Faculty of Juilliard School & New England Conservatory) and her father, Ephraim Cheung, who is the Music Director of Markham Symphony. She was also the world’s youngest violinist (age of 10) ever to have performed the most virtuosic and challenging repertoire : the complete 24 Caprices (by Paganini), in her Carnegie Hall debut recital in 2012. In addition to that, she also recorded these Caprices on DVD and CD, being the youngest to do so.
And after recovering from the sheer shock of knowing that such a talented person could even exist, I started to ask myself : “So, what about me?” I’ve been playing violin for two years now, but I’m already three years older than Mercedes was when she made her Carnegie Hall debut. How could I ever compare to someone like her?
But as I was watching a video of this girl playing Paganini’s 24th caprice (one of the most virtuosic violin pieces ever written), I realized that it was foolish to compare myself to someone like her. I mean, she comes from a musical family, she started violin before I probably even knew what a violin was, and she had made her debut at Carnegie Hall before I had even considered starting violin. It would be completely unreasonably to compare myself to someone as accomplished as her.
So I realized that instead of letting this push myself down, and should be proud of what I have been able to accomplish in these (almost) two years, and see Mercedes, and her playing as a goal to set for my future.
So next time you see a child prodigy, don’t think oh, I’ll never be as good as them. See them as an inspiration, a goal that you can achieve. Instead of constantly comparing yourself to someone that you can’t practically compare to, strive to make yourself better.
Because at the end of the day, no amount of despair at how amazing a child prodigy is, is going to make you a better player. So rather than crying over spilled milk, go and practice.
Seriously. Just go practice.
Event feature : Bohemian Cafe
Nothing to do this Saturday evening? Why don’t you check out Bohemian Café, a violin/piano recital happening at Mount Royal?
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This recital is being put on by Andrea Neumann and Alexandra Andrievsky, who are also my former violin teacher and piano teacher, and it’s a benefit concert, in support of CIM and the Center for Newcomers. It starts this Saturday (the 28th), at 8 PM, at TransAlta Pavilion, in the Taylor Center for Performing Arts building in Mount Royal. It features some incredible music, inspired by the Romani. Here is the Facebook event page, if you want more info.
So if you want to support a great cause and enjoy some great music, come on down!
See you there!
PARKSHOW 2016
PARKSHOW Calgary, presented by CF Chinook Centre, is a fashion show and art exhibit that features a wide variety of up and coming Canadian designers and professional artists. Their aim is to connect Calgary fashion and art lovers with today’s young talent who are becoming big influences across Canada.
Park, which stands for “Promoting Artists, Redefining Kulture”, is a volunteer-run network in western Canada aimed at promoting and supporting local emerging artists and designers in their respective communities. Park hosts a wide array of events including PARKLUXE, PARKSALE, and PARKSHOP. Alongside these events, Park also hosts educational forums and networking events
This year’s lineup includes Cara Cheung (a Toronto based womenswear label that blends high fashion luxury with urban street style), House of Nonie (a Calgary based womenswear brand specializing in modern ready to wear garments) and Nrthrntwns workshop (a line of fitted menswear). Of course, there are many other exciting designers who will be presenting their collections. For a full list, click here.
Definitely not an event to miss, PARKSHOW brings together culture, art, fashion and creativity through wonderful exhibitions of today’s talent. In the past, our bloggers have attended the event and wrote about their experiences, which you can read here. For more information on PARKSHOW 2016 and to purchase tickets, visit their website here.
Desensitization of War
They may remark on the horror, but they will, most likely, think nothing of it at all, like a dog with somewhere else to be.
– From The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
I may immerse myself into a narrative or a film about war, but I can always step back into the comfort of my own world. I realize how easy it is to continue going about my day. I am enveloped by an overwhelming sense of safety and ordinariness – I am laying in bed reading a novel, wrapped up in a soft blanket, away from the bodies in the streets, the destroyed buildings, the fight for survival. The lights of the classroom flick on as the credits start rolling – I am no longer in a dystopian world where citizens are oppressed under the iron fist of an authoritarian government. I am wondering what’s for lunch, what homework I have to do, tests to study for.
It’s strange.
My heartstrings may have tugged as I watched people trudge through their lives under the constant burden of fear. Yet, I would be lying if I said I could really understand what they are going through. And frankly, there is a part of myself that feels uncomfortable with fully grasping the bleak reality that many individuals face on a daily basis. It’s too heavy and disheartening. It’s why when I hear about the death and atrocities on the news, I am conflicted between empathy and a desire to slip into ignorance – after all, ignorance is bliss.
Am I desensitized to war? Should I be?
In my English class, I had the opportunity to read The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. The text deals with the themes of war, hatred and political turmoil. I studied these texts in an academic context, examining the literary devices, the character development, and so on. However, this again is one of the barriers that distance me from truly internalizing the nature of war. That’s my motivation for writing this article. I feel like I need to come to terms about my feelings about war.
Galloway’s novel is based on the real life events of the Siege of Sarajevo from 1992-1996, the longest siege of a capital city in modern history. Nested in the heart of the Balkans, Sarajevo was encircled by Serbian forces and a blockade was instituted to starve its citizens of hope and resources. Sarajevans lived under constant sniper fire and bombardment. Namely, the eponymous cellist watched outside his window as a mortar shell fell on a line of people waiting to buy bread. 22 people died and many others were injured. He was moved to pick up his cello, venture to the site of the bombing and play Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor for 22 days straight, 1 for each life that was lost. This sets the stage for the novel.
There is a tendency to view war as something that is distant, either in terms of physical distance or because it seems like something that is far in the past. Or again, academic analysis acts an emotional barrier to the harsh reality. In Social Studies class, we often look at war through the lens of ideological conflict, interspersed with statistics and dates: x amount of people died during this genocide during these years. Do we really comprehend the tremendous loss of life? Does hearing that a million people died make us mourn more, or does it cause us to distance ourselves even more because we just view it as numbers?
A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.
– Attributed to Joseph Stalin
Let’s use the analogy of a character dying in a book: You have gradually built up a connection with this character, can comment on their quirks and nuances, understand their flaws and strengths, their relationships with other people, their history, their aspirations. Then they die. It will break your heart because you have such a strong bond with them. You may protest: It’s not fair. They didn’t deserve to die. What will happen to their families and friends?
Yet, if a minor character dies, how do you feel? You did not get to build up a relationship with them – they are one of the countless people in the background of the novel. What if it’s a character that’s not even named? They are just one of the lives contained in the line: “twenty-two people died here.” Does this move you the same way compared to if one of your beloved characters dies? Maybe, maybe not.
The reality is, every single one of those individuals had vibrant and complex lives that you will never be able to fully understand. Think of your own life: all your failures and triumphs, your relationships with others, pain and happiness, indecision and clarity, likes and dislikes – I could expend the entire English language and still not be able to accurately capture the essence of being human. Take any person and their life is just as complex as your own.
And they’re now dead.
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
The bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
– From No Man is an Island by John Donne
Their life, like a brief candle, are snuffed out, never to burn again. Their individuality is lost forever, like a speck of sand in an endless desert. The death of someone you know well is tragic, but so is every other life when you think about it. Each person is linked together in an invisible network. When one person passes away, there is a ripple effect, starting from that individual’s innermost circle and slowly spreading out to complete strangers, who mourn for the loss of life too.
And war takes lives. Many lives. The Siege of Sarajevo saw nearly 14000 casualties. It’s easy again to fall into the trap of treating it like a number, a statistic. But remember the death of one person and how tragic that is. Then multiply that by tens, hundreds, and finally thousands of people who have been wiped from existence. Nevertheless, there are wars that are being fought today, where countless people are displaced and death is commonplace.
At the same time, I want to wrap myself up in the blanket of ignorance. I want to switch the TV channel when news stories come on and each segment seems to be another example of the dark side of humanity. My eyes glaze over when I see a headline about some tragic event. I suppose that’s one of the side effects of being in Canada my whole life. I become accustomed to my privilege and my comfortable view of life. I will never truly be able to grasp the horrors that I see on the news unless I’ve been in them myself.
What is it like to worry about being shot at when I walk in the streets? What is it like to worry about not having enough water for my family? What is it like? There’s too much distance for my empathy to bridge. Even now, I am typing words on a laptop, away from everything. You’re reading this on a phone or a computer, and you too, are emotionally distanced.
I am desensitized to war not because I’ve suffered a lot, but because of the exact opposite. I’ve had the privilege to carry my day-to-day life in a peaceful country, where I deal with first world problems like not having Wi-Fi connection. My whole conception of war is through the media, a blurring torrent of statistics and graphic images. It moves my heart, but at the same time, seeing suffering causes me to place even more bricks on my wall of ignorance.
Am I wrong for doing this? I feel so. It’s not that I don’t care. It’s that war is too heavy for me to think about – it would consume everything else in my life and make me feel overwhelmingly dejected about the condition of the world. I admire those who can overcome this despair and do more than remark on the horrors they see – they do something about it. It takes courage to do what you can to prevent things from getting worse, instead of simply being a bystander.
After reading this article, what will you think? I know how easy it is to continuing going about your day. And you should. I am not saying you should suddenly grab a sword and become a crusader for justice. It’s difficult and reading some words will most likely not move you to do anything. However, if I have been able to make you think and reflect a bit, that’s what matters.
Calgary’s Music Scene: An Interview with BRAIDS’ Austin Tufts
Calgary’s music scene is a series which explores various artists who have emerged or are a part of the music scene here in Calgary.
Recently I had the honor of having some of my questions about being an artist from Calgary answered by Austin Tufts, the band member and drummer BRAIDS. I had been in awe of the band from the first time I had the opportunity to listen to them live on their 2015 tour with Purity Ring. Their songs and unique style blew me away and had me hooked ever since.
The band first came into existence a few years back while Tufts attended Western Canada High School with other band members Taylor Smith and Raphaelle Standelle-Preston. BRAIDS has come a long way since their first 2011 album Native Speaker, with another two albums released to date, along with numerous North American and World tours.
With cities such as Vancouver and Montreal considered height of Canada’s music scene, it is great to see success stories such as BRAIDS emerge from Calgary, even if they do not currently reside within the city.
How did you first get involved with music and what made you want to be in a band?
I grew up in a very musical home. My father is a drummer and my mother a singer, so there was never a lack of good music being played or bands rehearsing in our basement while I was growing up. I was never pushed into music by them which is why I think I have a very natural love of music, not one of anxiety and pressure that some second generation artist suffer from. For me, playing the drums was at first only a means to playing with other people in bands when I was growing up. I could hold my own from what my father had taught me but I was never serious about learning the instrument in any deeper way. It was when I started dedicating myself to the drums, practicing lots, listening more intently, and studying the history that I became more of an individual musician. When Braids started playing together, it was the first time that I found that both my personal vision and the group vision could exist harmoniously. That’s when I realized that these were a special group of people. After that, it was hard to ever spend more than a day or two without playing together. And that still stands true 8 years later.
How did you find creating a band in Calgary? What were the biggest struggles you faced regarding the Calgary music scene?
When we were growing up and just starting out in Calgary, there were some really great bands that formed a tight knit community that was basically the centre of the scene in which we existed. Azeda Booth, Women, Chad VanGaalen, the Consonant C, Woodpigeon. All of those guys were so inclusive and making such great music. We all knew that Calgary wasn’t Toronto or NYC or LA but we never tried to make it that. Being part of a small, caring and creative community no matter the size can be such a positive thing when your starting out. The encouragement and guidance that we received in our early days has really set the tone for our entire career.
The thing that was tough about Calgary in the day is that it was hard as a local band to attract more than 150 people out to your show. It wasn’t until we moved away and started getting international recognition that we could return home and start playing nicer venues to larger crowds. Local scenes are funny that way. Also the fact that for touring, Calgary is soooo isolated. You can drive 13 hours to Vancouver but that’s the only city within a days drive that bigger than our home town. Its very isolating as a fledgling band. That isolation also works the other way in terms of getting good bands to come tour through Calgary. Most of the bands we listened to while growing up wouldn’t have ever toured to Calgary. Which is why Sled Island was such a huge game changer for our city. It started bring these amazing bands to a place where there never would have come before.
Did you notice any resources in Calgary which helped emerging artists?
Many. CJSW has been a community leader for years. Myke Atkinson, the program director there used to out on these seminars called RADTASTIC. They were essentially a series of workshops focused on how to get the most amount of national an international exposure for your band, mostly through using radio as a resource.
In your opinion, how was Braids able to reach the success the band has today?
I think it all comes down to the music we write and the fact that we haven’t let all the stresses and pressures of being in a band pull us apart at the seams. Its definitely been hard at times to know which way is up or if this is the right thing to be doing with our lives, but all of that washes away when we play. And in the end, its all about the music you play. Another key is that we’ve always tried to work with people that we love and respect and that we feel will treat us honestly. Keep your priorities straight and the rest will fall into place.
What are some areas of improvement for the Calgarian music scene? What can we as citizens do to help local artists?
I would like to see the city at large shift towards embracing the more experimental and alternative communities. There are some incredible musicians in Calgary making killer music but the vast majority of the city is still really focused on more commercial and corporate music. The National Music Centre is cool and a beautiful space but thats not the kind of place where underground scenes are started, or where fringe kids can go and make drone music. The city needs more DIY music spaces and more zoning for affordable creative spaces…not big fancy ones that cost millions of dollars to make, but warehouses and building dedicated to being affordable working places for artists and musicians. The biggest thing that the average citizen can do is to attend local shows and buy records. Support bands early on. Make sure they get the support and encouragement they deserve.
Do you believe it is important to support local bands? Why or why not?
That’s how scenes are started. The more support local bands get the bigger the scene grows and the more recognition abroad those artists will find. As that happens it puts the city on the map as a cool musical destination and more out of town bands start touring through to get a piece of the pie. Its a cycle that i feel starts with raising the good local music up on the shoulders of the fans and saying, look at how great this is.
Make sure to check out BRAIDS at this year’s Folk Festival on July 23rd. The band will also be releasing their 3rd EP this May so make sure to look out for their upcoming new music.
Kensington Sinfonia’s Celebrates Musical Diversity in Season Closer
This past Sunday, I had the pleasure to attend Kensington Sinfonia’s 25th season closer concert at the intimate and acoustically-rewarding Hope Lutheran Church. For those not familiar, the Kensington Sinfonia (KS for short) was founded in 1988 by John Lowry of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the musical directorship has been passed on to other prominent Calgarian musicians since, the likes of which include Edmond Agopian and currently, Donovan Seidle. Made up of some of our city’s finest musicians, the KS delivered a terrific season closer concert entitled “Tilting Against Windmills” on Sunday that featured both extremely diverse repertoire and talent, for reasons that will become apparent.
Opening with the
exciting John Adams piece “Shaker Loops”, 1st movement (Shaking and Trembling) originally for string quartet but arranged for string septet, the piece was a great first choice. John Adams is notorious for his musical nuisance and the intricacy of his music, and to have so many independent parts and still have each part be so synchronized with the other demonstrated great ensemble skill and control.
Next in the program was entitled “Sea Waves for violin and string orchestra”, and was composed by Maias Alyamani, a young Syrian composer. The Sinfonia cites their reason for choosing this selection as helping us “learn about our new neighbors through their art” and even in those few minutes of music, I felt truly touched by it. The harmonies and chords used are very different from Western music, and had intense mood changes that the ensemble handled brilliantly, demonstrating the adaptiveness of the musicians, both in different genres and moods.
The above piece marked a fluid segway into the next portion of the program, which featured Syrian Musician Aya Mhana on the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument that much resembles the European lute, though it contains no frets. Being a newcomer to Calgary and to Canada, for her to share her own original compositions about the turmoil in her country that made her want to move here such as “Enough is enough” and “When she began to sway” was incredibly moving. It was apparent that Mhana truly channeled her feelings into her art and I was happy to have had her be part of the program.
After an intermission, the Sinfonia returned with well-known Baroque composer Georg Philipp Telemann’s Burlesque de Quixotte. Based off of Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, the piece was one of my favorites from the program, and marked an outwardly humorous take on classical music that is very uncommon of other professional groups. Since the piece is intended to tell the story of Don Quixotte with short story-like introductions ahead of each movement, the KS invited colleague and CPO’s Assistant Principal Oboist David Sussman to narrate. The medieval feel of the piece was set with the addition of the harpsichord, and the story-telling of Sussman (who had a terrific narrating voice) made the entire piece feel like a story book from your childhood. The light-heartedness of the piece demonstrated the KS’ ensemble bend very well, and their transitions into different moods throughout the movements were also done with grace. Plus, on top of all the technicalities, the musicians seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpcy8L-endk
The last item on the program was the 6th winner of the 2016 Kensington Sinfonia Student Concerto Competition, which takes place every year and is aimed to inspire young musicians under the age of 18. This year’s winner is oboist Cameron Wong, a grade 10 student who has only been studying the oboe for 4 years. While most winners of competitions tend to be strings or piano, to have a different instrument featured in a solo concerto was very different and interesting. Cameron played all three movements of Italian baroque composer Tomaso Albinon’s Concerto for Oboe in D minor, Op. 9, No. 2. While tackling all the passages with impressive technique that most would say is beyond his years and certain the amount of time he has studied the instrument, it was his musical maturity that drew audiences closer. As soon as he began to play, you could see a visible difference in his demeanor. His movements were very effective in shaping the music and in convincing audiences of his actions. For an instrument notorious for how difficult it is to tune, Cameron maintained perfect tone throughout the piece and proved himself to be a very mature performer.
I had never attended a Kensington Sinfonia concert prior to Sunday, though I had heard about them through several different sources. Needless to say, I was incredibly impressed with the members of the ensemble, who are all some of the most celebrated musicians on their instrument in the city. I also throughly enjoyed the diversity of the program. The fact that they were able to bring beautiful music to the city while raising awareness for an important cause was inspiring, and that goes for both the turmoil in Syria and in supporting young musicians in their development. The intimacy that this professional group presents was also a nice contrast to larger ensembles; the concert even ended with a lovely complimentary reception presented by Donovan Seidle’s mother, Betty. If you would like to experience the musicality of the Kensington Sinfonia, visit their website at www.kensingtonsinfonia.ca and follow them on both Twitter (@ksinfoniayyc) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/kensingtonsinfonia).
I also had the pleasure of interviewing Cameron prior to his concert to learn more about how he copes with being a young musician, among other things. Read the article here.
Special thanks to the Kensington Sinfonia for our tickets! All opinions expressed are mine own.
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An Interview with Kensington Sinfonia Concert Competition Winner Cameron Wong
As you may have read, I enjoyed a terrific first concert at the Kensington Sinfonia past Sunday. One of the program pieces featured the 6th winner of the KS Annual Student Concerto Competition, oboist Cameron Wong playing Albinoni’s Concerto for Oboe in D minor, Op.9, No. 2.
Having only played the oboe for 4 years, Cameron’s musicality and skill is undeniable. That’s probably why he is a senior member of the Academy of Gifted Youth at Mount Royal Conservatory, and is also the Principal Oboe at the Calgary Youth Orchestra. Cameron has studied with internationally-renowed musicians such as Joe Robinson, the former Principal Oboe of the New York Philharmonic. He will be continuing his musical studies in the summer as he attends the prestigious Orford International Academy to work alongside Oboist Louise Pellerin. On top of all of his musical involvements, Cameron received the RCM Provincial Gold Medal twice for having the highest Royal Conservatory Examinations mark in his first years of playing. He was also awarded an honorable mention at the Frank Simpson competition and placed in the top 5 at the 2016 Calgary Concerto Competition (C3), being the first woodwind player to do so in 21 years.
Prior to the concert, I had the chance to sit down with Cameron to discuss things such as the challenges of being a young musician. See what he had to say below:
What made you want to take up the oboe?
In the summer before grade seven, I convinced by band teacher to let me try a bunch of different instruments such as flute, clarinet, and french horn. I found it relatively easy to move up grade levels fast on those instruments, so I kept trying different instruments. Once I reached the oboe though, I realized it was different because it refuses to cooperate every time you play it. My usual routine for starting a new instrument would be to take it home and practice for hours on the first day to get technique all down so I can work on repertoire later, but when I took the oboe home, it refused to make any sound that wasn’t squeaks and squawks on the first night. Because of that, I carried on with the oboe and eventually began taking lessons. The challenges and beautiful sound of the oboe made me work harder for it, and at a certain point I realized that I had gone too far to go back!
What is the extent of your musical involvement?
Currently, I am the Principal Oboe at the Calgary Youth Orchestra, where I played just last year! I also just completed my first year of the Mount Royal Academy’s program for gifted youth, and during my time there I got to work with internationally-recongized musicians. I’m also a member of Western Canada, my high school’s, grade 10 concert band, as well as part of our school’s Oboe Ensemble. The latter is pretty cool because it’s probably the only one in Canada since getting nine oboes in tune is not a small feat. Next year, I am hoping to join Mount Royal’s Advanced Performance Program.
How has winning the KS Concerto Competition affected you as a musician?
This was a pretty big achievement for me and I was really excited and even more so the first time I rehearsed with the Sinfonia. I was really impressed by how professional they were despite the fact that they are a small ensemble. I’m very grateful that they provide this opportunity for young musicians and given the opportunity, I would love to play with them again since they are all very professional and friendly.
What do you think allow you to progress so much as a player in just four years?
I would say my musical background really helped; I had 8 years of piano training before but I didn’t have much success with it since I didn’t like to practice scales and technique. However, with oboe, it came much easier and my teacher, David Sussman, is really knowledgeable, patient, and generally a great mentor. Whenever I’m stuck on a difficult passage, he always suggests the correct fix for my problem. My parents have also been super supportive as I pursue the oboe, always coming to my concerts and supporting me through Academy and the bands I’m in.
What is the most challenging thing about being a young musician?
Lots of people tend to brand talented young musicians as child prodigies because they play with really good technique. And though that’s always impressive because it takes a lot of discipline and talent to do so, I also want people to realize that musicality is just as important to young performers as more seasoned ones. Being a young musician, it’s really difficult to convince people that you have a story to tell that is beyond your years. I see music as a way of expressing myself, either about the piece or life itself. A very mature interpretation takes into consideration all the nuisances of a phrase and that’s always what I try to strive for in my music, not just to have people notice my technique ability for my age.
What are your musical aspirations for the future?
I really want to win the Calgary Concerto Competition or Frank Simpson in the upcoming years because this opportunity has made me realize even more so how much I enjoy playing with an orchestra as a soloist to bring music to life. Just playing with a piano accompanist can’t fully compass all the different textures in the music like an orchestra can; it makes you see the full beauty of the piece. I would also like to compete on an national-level.
What would you tell your younger self about music?
I think a classic response to this that has its value would be to practice your scales and technique. I really hated those things when I played piano but focused more on that with the oboe and definitely saw the payoff. Also, when I was younger, I played mostly to impress others. As I got older though, i realized that it was important for me to play music for myself and not just for others. You should find something within the music that you enjoy so you can express your feelings and ideas to make something beautiful. Explore other opportunities! In my case, that was me trying every single band instrument, and though strenuous, down the road it was definitely a good choice.
Thanks so much to Cameron for taking the time to grace me with his insight. Catch him at the upcoming Calgary Youth Orchestra on May 29th at the Bella Concert Hall at 7:30pm. Admission is free and the concert will feature two winners of the 2016 Frank Simpson Concerto Competition (in which Cameron got an honorable mention). See you there!
Our Prayer to the Universe
In honour of the resiliency and courage humanity has against everyday atrocities, Youth Are Awesome has come together to present to you a compilation of our humble prayers for the world. Each prayer symbolizes a component of humanism that perhaps further needs to be developed within the people of our planet; each prayer symbolic in some form of energy in our everyday lives, personal to each blogger.
In times of adversity we tend to forget a famous law of attraction; like attracts like. In other words, positive energy and thoughts reflects in positive action and therefore a beneficial outcome. You may call this karma or science, but regardless, in the name of mankind, Youth Are Awesome shares with you our individual aspirations, as a means to inspire talk around topics that are otherwise referred to as a “taboo.”
As the “director” of this piece, I can definitely vouch for the authenticity our individualistic paths bring us from; however our end goal is very similar- to change the world for the better. We put forth intentions of love and support and humbly hope you do too.
The message of this piece is incapsulated in the following, “Let us send a prayer out into the universe to restore our faith in humanity and protect all of mankind from the difficulties they may be facing.”
A Weekend of Youth Musical Talent in YYC
You’ve heard of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, but what about the Calgary Youth Orchestra? Chances are, if you have musically-orientated friends who play a string instrument, you’ve probably heard of it. For those who haven’t, don’t fret, because you’re about to learn so you can go out and enjoy the finest Calgarian musical talent this weekend.
A program of the infamous Mount Royal Conservatory, the CYO rehearses every Saturday to polish and perfect classical selections not dissimilar to what you would hear at the CPO. In fact, CYO musicians work alongside members of the CYO as well. The difference between the two? The CYO features around 65 talented young musicians between the ages 14-24. In addition to touring internationally to critical acclaim, the orchestra performs regular concerts at a youth-friendly cost. This weekend, join them as they celebrate the winners of the 2016 Frank Simpson Concerto Competition featuring 18-year-old Solina Lee on Elgar’s Cello Concerto (4th mvt.) and 16 year-old Yan Li, who will be performing the 1st movement from the notorious Sibelius Violin Concerto. In addition to these talented youth soloists, the night will open with the 12th-ever Juno Award winning composer Christos Hatzis’ “Sepulcher of Life”, which will feature the CYO, and several choirs and vocal soloists. The concert will take place at the new Bella Concert Hall at 7:30pm on Saturday. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 403 440 5978, by visiting tickets.mru.ca, or simply at the door.
As if that wasn’t enough to satisfy your dose of youth talent this weekend, join the Kensington Sinfonia at Hope Lutheran Church on Sunday at 3:00pm as they present to you their concert “Tilting against Windmills” in support of Syrian families new to Calgary (a portion of money from ticket sales will go to supporting them). The concert will feature Syrian music, as well as Syrain artist Aya Mhana on the oud, a eastern Mediterranean instrument. This is also the 6th year of the Kensington Sinfonia’s Annual Student Concerto Competition, the winner of which is 15-year-old oboist Cameron Wong. Despite his young age, this win is even more impressive given the fact that Cameron has only been learning the oboe for three years, as well, he is also a member of CYO. He will be performing the Oboe Concerto in D minor by Albinoni. Several other works will also be performed by the Sinfonia, making the program both diverse and comprehensive. Tickets are $25 general, $20 for students and seniors, and free for those 12 and under. They can be purchased by calling 1 800 838 3006, visiting www.brownpapertickets.com, or at the door.
Look for upcoming concert reviews and interviews with all of the youth talent mentioned in the post. Hope to see you out at the concerts this weekend!
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Like Father Like Son: Tom Felton and Jason Isaacs At Calgary Expo
It was a Potterhead’s dream come true: The two villains we love to hate together in the same place. After hearing that for the first time ever, Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy, and Jason Isaacs, who took on the role of Draco’s father Lucius Malfoy, would be doing a panel together at none other than our own Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo. It was 45 minutes of unadulterated bliss exploring how two of J.K. Rowling’s most interesting and devious characters took shape on the big screen.
Must to the horror of his costar Evanna Lynch, Tom Felton had not read the books prior to auditioning for the role of Draco, and even after being cast, he read the scripts before ever reading any of the material that provided the basis for them. Out of place among the many kids who knew the story during auditions, he described his thought process as,
It sounds wonderful but I have no idea what they’re talking about!
On his role as Harry’s main antagonist at school, Felton stated that he thankfully does not share any traits aside from eye colour with his character.
Jason Isaacs, on the other hand, originally auditioned for the role of Gilderoy Lockhart (which would be played by Kenneth Brannagh), but was later asked to read for the part of Lucius Malfoy. He grudgingly agreed, read for and secured the part of the disgraced Death Eater, however nearly turned down the part out of his own pride.
I went in and read for Lucius Malfoy, probably with a contemptuous look on my face.
When the first scene in which Lucius appears in The Chamber of Secrets, Isaacs misjudged how heavy the head of his serpentine walking stick was and whacked Felton hard on the hand, causing him to tear up as the scene went on. Perhaps not a stellar first impression, Felton recalls Isaacs’ entrance into the role of his onscreen father,
I’ll never forget your ability to turn into a filthy piece of work. […] You’re a lovely man as Jason but a complete a** as Lucius.
The pair believe that the films captured the spirit of the books, which are no less than a gospel to many, but allowed for creativity, as opposed to simply filming the book. Lucius Malfoy was described as a racist who feared for his status within the wizarding community and whose reactions came from a place of fear, ignorance and a worry of progress. As a follower of dark lord Voldemort who seems to fail him at every turn, Lucius was on a mission to save face, which (spoiler alert!) didn’t turn out well and culminated in being humiliated in his own house by Voldemort snapping his wand in half. Draco, on the other hand, was considered a shell of his father when they were together, but a young version of him when they were apart. To help justify Draco’s poor behaviour at school, Isaacs bullied the character of his son, and in that helped to establish the antagonistic father-son relationship that existed between Draco and Lucius.
Although it was a very large panel proportionately to many others held at Expo, it felt very intimate and allowed fans to reminisce and look back on two complex and intriguing characters in a more in-depth way. Between jokes about blondes indeed having more fun and us Canadians living up to the stereotype of all being so nice, there could not possibly have been a more magical way to celebrate an integral part of the Potterverse. Jason Isaacs even went as far to say (much to my pleasure),
I think that all of Canada is Ravenclaw basically: smart, loyal and not too extreme either way.
Of course, since the advent of Pottermore, more details surrounding the family life of the Malfoys has been made available, however, all discussions took place without taking any of this into account, providing an authentic experience that was not a look at the characters in retrospect now that we know all of this new stuff, so to speak. It was a compelling look at parts of the world that surrounds Harry Potter that isn’t always looked at in such fine and personal detail by fans as the main characters and protagonists due to the negativity that surrounds the Malfoy family and the dark side of Rowling’s magical world.
The Fort McMurray Disaster: How You Can Help
It’s more than likely that you’ve already heard the news: a massive wildfire in northern Alberta community Fort McMurray has resulted in the displacement of over 80,000 residents and has over 1100 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers hard at work trying to douse the flames. Over 1600 buildings have burned, leaving many homeless and stranded in limbo with whatever personal belongings they were able to leave with. Already many Albertans have stepped up to the plate to help out and many initiatives have been undertaken to help those impacted by the devastating blaze.
Here in Calgary, NorthStar Ford, in conjunction with Q107, have been collecting supplies at NorthStar’s northwest and Cochrane locations and Q107’s downtown studio to send up to those impacted, and already have several semis ready to make the trek north. Many other Calgary businesses and non-profits are ready to lend a helping hand, including the Calgary Food Bank, Calgary Humane Society and all Calgary London Drugs locations. For a comprehensive list, check out this Calgary Herald article. One of the best posts I’ve read all day is from Buzzfeed, and it really helps to put the generosity of Albertans into perspective.
This still leaves the question: What can we do? As young people, we may not have a lot of money, time or resources that we can consecrate to directly helping the cause. Let me ask you this. Do you have $5? How much would 5$ ever actually get you on its own? A drink at Starbucks maybe? By texting REDCROSS to 30333, you can make a $5 donation to the Red Cross efforts in Fort McMurray. You’re probably thinking, “What could $5 actually do?” However, the Canadian government is currently matching donations, and if you are in Alberta, the provincial government will also match your donation. That means that your $5 instantly triples. All of a suddenly you’ve given $15 worth of aid. If 100 people donate $5, that’s already $1500 towards relief efforts. Individually, it’s not much, but together, we can make a difference. Every small donation of money, supplies or time adds up to make a difference. With damage estimates expected to reach between $2.6 billon-$4.7 billion and thousands who already are or may be left with nothing, every little bit of help matters.
If you’d like to help by donating supplies or helping out in another way, the Calgary Herald article linked above can help you find a way that you can help.
Even though we may not have a lot to give, if enough of us step up, we CAN make a difference.
Wordfest Presents….Sam Maggs!
This last Wednesday, my fellow blogger Emily and I had the chance to attend Wordfest and hear author, writer, host, feminist, and geek extraordinaire, Sam Maggs in conversation with Shelley Youngblut, General Director of Wordfest. If you read my last post, you may know that in addition to writing for many publications across the internet like the Mary Sue and Hello Giggles, hosting the Cineplex preshow, and writing for a video game company, Sam recently just released her first book: The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks. Through the book Sam provides a beginners guide to the realm of fandoms, comics, conventions, and all things nerdy all while advocating for inclusivity and encouraging girls to take pride in their interests, proudly showcasing to the world their unapologetic selves.
At Wordfest, we were able to learn the process that came into play when publishing the book as well as how the idea first came to be. To give us better perspective, Sam compared the writing process that goes with a non-fiction book, such as her own guide for rookie geeks, versus a fiction book or novel, which she hasn’t yet attempted to take on just yet. When writing a fiction book, the author must complete a full rough draft of the manuscript before pitching it to several publishers, all of whom will take quite a long time to make a final decision, all of which will be followed by several more months or even years of preparation before the book is ready for the shelves. However, when writing a non-fiction advice book, authors only have to conjure up the first few chapters in preparation for the pitch. Once the idea is taken up by an agent and publisher, you have just a couple more months ahead of you to finish up the book, edit and fine tune the writing, and wrap up the whole production before the book is ready to be sold. In Sam’s case, she was reached out to by her agent via twitter who inquired if perhaps she would be interested in publishing a novel, to which Sam responded “Pffft. Me?? Sure…I’ll write you a ‘book'”. Once she was able to comprehend the opportunity, Sam of course happily agreed and decided to write about what she knew best: how to be a fangirl! After writing and submitting the first couple chapters to a publishing company, Operation Fangirl was a go. Despite the process progressing much faster than Sam and her agent initially anticipated, their hard work paid off and now the lovely Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is available for the learning and reading pleasure of all!
Another thing Sam discussed was her exciting new job at the video game company, BioWare. Based in Edmonton, BioWare is known for being one of the most progressive and innovative game companies in the industry, widely known and loved for games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. Just a couple weeks ago, Sam was hired in an assistant writing position in which she will be able to create and weave the story of her very own video game as well as cross over into fiction writing! Although she couldn’t reveal all too much about the game as it was still in the earliest of stages, Sam did give us some interesting details on how she was able to create the character of her dreamy video game boyfriend. She also expressed how she was so happy to be a part of a video company that reflects her own values and priorities. For instance, one of the duties that go hand in hand with her new position is going through the story line of the game and counting the number of males and females in each level, ensuring that the ratio is fair and equal, as not to misrepresent either gender.
During the event, we were also able to gain some exclusive new details about Sam’s upcoming October release: Wonder Women! Wonder Women describes the stories of 25 game changing women over the course of history. Sam emphasized that the book told the stories of not only the average heterosexual, cisgender, and Caucasian female, but rather a diverse selection of women, including queer women and women of colour, whose accomplishments are not often recognized and appreciated by the majority of the population. She discussed an issue very important to me and that is the fact that most mainstream social studies and history education offered at schools is very narrowly focused and oriented through a more eurocentric perspective. However, with Wonder Women, Sam hopes to change that and give credit to those who have been marginalized, underestimated, dismissed, and overlooked. In fact, she actually gave us a preview of the story of Anandi Gopal Joshi, the first ever female Indian doctor. I myself am an Indian woman, and before Sam told us her story, I really had no idea about the amazing work that this woman did and to be able to hear about her trials and tribulations as an eager, determined, and extremely intelligent Indian woman during the late 1800s was such an eye opening experience. I personally can’t wait to hear more stories like it when Wonder Women comes out in October!
After a couple more excellently thought out questions from Shelley Youngblut, the floor was open for an audience Q&A! The questions varied so widely, ranging all the way from how Sam dealt with the questioning of her geek cred as a woman to her favourite comics to even her first fandom. Due to her lovely personality and the low key and relaxed event setting, fans were really able to connect and interact with Sam, carrying out friendly and casual conversations as though they were old friends. At one point during the evening, a young girl even shared her personal experience as a fangirl in a sometimes male dominated world of geekdom, expressing how lucky she was to have geeky male friends who treat her as an equal rather than undermining her for her gender. Actually, I also got to introduce myself to Sam when I asked her about her favourite clone from Orphan Black (It’s Cosima, if you’re wondering, same as me!) which was very exciting!
Overall, the event was interesting, engaging, and an absolute pleasure to attend. Again, I would just like to thank the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, Wordfest, and of course, Sam Maggs, for giving me the opportunity to learn something new and hear the perspectives of such inspiring and amazing individuals. Also, if you haven’t already, I definitely recommend checking out The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks. I will be counting down the days till the release of Wonder Women and really can’t wait till Sam is back at Wordfest later this year!
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Calgary Expo: First Impressions for A First-Timer
It’s a warm Friday afternoon at the end of April and as I begin down the steps from Victoria Park Stampede Station, I see the crowds for the first time and I wonder, “What did I ever get myself into?” After walking all the way across the grounds before realizing that I had gone the wrong way, I manage to find someone who is able to direct me to the media desk where I am to pick up my weekend pass to the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo. Once at the desk, I am granted my pass with little trouble. Little did I know, the simple act of finding my way through the throng of people would be by far my easiest task of the weekend.
**Disclaimer: I’m no photographer, I didn’t have the greatest camera and the lighting wasn’t great for taking indoor shots without flash or beefy equipment. I apologize sincerely in advance.
This was the my very first taste of Calgary Expo and if I had to describe my first few minutes there in one word, it would be overwhelmed. It was not my original intention to be going alone, but that’s how it turned out, so I had to program myself to act on instinct almost immediately. The last thing that I needed in a crowded, busy and fast-paced environment was to overthink something and either make a fool of myself, miss something important, or both.
I ended up going in through the back by the media desk, so at least I didn’t need to brave the crowds to get into the BMO Centre. Once I was in, it was like I was in a different world. Although the sheer volume of people and their creative, colourful and downright amazing outfits, cosplays and getups shouldn’t have been any surprise to me, I felt totally underdressed in my plain v-neck, leggings and Ravenclaw scarf. After I shook off my initial worries about my own appearance, I was more at ease, and slowly I melted into the completely different universe that was Expo. Within my first five minutes of wandering aimlessly, I had already caught glimpses at Jason Isaacs, John Barrowman and Garrett Wang, and that’s really when the reality of where I was really set in. I AM IN THE PRESENCE OF VERY AMAZING AND FAMOUS PEOPLE AND WOW I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO OPERATE AS A FUNCTIONAL HUMAN BEING RIGHT NOW.
I was probably in some form of measurable shock for a solid ten minutes until my rationality broke through the layers of fangirl that had engulfed me. I made my way to the vendors area to wander around before the first panel that I was attending. With such a large footprint that I would be exploring, limited time and downright horrendous navigation skills, I consciously stuck to the walls to avoid getting lost in the vast expanse of the BMO’s halls. Until then I had not realized how much temptation to spend copious amounts of money I would be contending with. Thus, I resolved to keep my wallet close until such a time where I was sure that I had an idea of everything that I could choose from. Out of sheer fear of overdraft fees and becoming more broke than I already am, I only spent $1.50 on a button before I attended several panels. I would probably describe my spending over the course of Expo as initially dipping my toe into a pool and then jumping in completely with reckless abandon (oops).
After my initial adventures finding my footing, I started on my journey through several panels, which, although they each provided 45 minutes of relative stability, were a whole other challenge in and of themselves. But that’s another story for another time.
