One of my biggest pet peeves is when people criticize someone else’s music taste. Yes, you are entitled to your opinion. Yes, it’s good to have your own identity and yes, I’m happy that you know yourself and you have some well founded confidence. Nevertheless, music is therapeutic. People turn to it in search of…
In spite of the recent crises around the world over the last week, life has continued. For many, it has been a time of reflection and gaining insight into the issues faced by our world, which is something that each and every one of us should take the time to be part of. However, we…
I had the pleasure of attending one of Kensington Sinfonia’s concerts “The Contest Between Harmony and Invention.” The Kensington Sinfonia is a violin ensemble that performs all around Calgary and is led by Artistic Director, Donovan Seidle. Besides being an Artistic Director, he is also well-known in the music community for being the Assistant Concertmaster for the…
I was hoping to write this before classes had even started, but as you can tell I have procrastinated once again with my posts on YAA. 61 days have passed since the first day of school and now here I am, writing an open letter to myself before being bombarded with the stress of January…
{source} 1. In Search of Sasquatch In Search of Sasquatch is a local indie rock Calgarian band whose members just recently graduated from Bishop O’Byrne High School. The four-piece band finds inspiration from many different indie styles, such as garage bands and surf-inspired sounds. Since In Search of Sasquatch is a local band, they often have…
I’m proud to announce that Ronica Li is November’s Blogger of the Month! She was recognized for regularly posting high quality articles and always having a willingness to help out. I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with her and get to learn more about her. Besides being a part of YAA, she’s also involved in…
When I arrived at my school at 7 am this morning to catch the bus for We Day, an annual event in YYC that celebrates and inspires youth innovation, I was greeted with a hostility that made me wonder whether I had coffee breath, or someone had used my student ID photo on a poster for gonorrhoea. It…
Before I say anything else about this concert review, I just want to lay this out: wow. Though not a huge fan of choral music or operas, I was definitely won over (if at least for the time being!) after attending the packed Luminous Voices concert at the newly-opened Bella Concert Hall. Under the artistic…
Interested in fashion, music, food, and networking? For the second year in a row, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has teamed up with Holt Renfrew and various local businesses to bring you the chance to celebrate just that in their Fairytales & Legends Fashion Gala. Going off the CPO’s concert series of Fairytales for their 60th season,…
Source My family has always been particularly gifted in music. The talent passed through each generation can be traced as far back as to my great grandmother, who played live music for silent films. I’ve always considered myself a virtuoso when it comes down to it, although I’ll admit I’m far from perfect. Ever since…
{source} 1. Coeur de pirate Coeur de pirate is an amazing Francophone singer and songwriter from Montreal. Most of her indie pop songs are in French but she has recorded an album (and more!) of English songs. You can listen to her full albums here! 2. Seaway Seaway is a pop-punk band from Ontario, formed in…
Goodbye flip flops and sweltering heat and hello sweater weather! If you can’t tell, fall is my favourite season, what with all the colourful leaves and pumpkin spice lattes, and hold up! Can we just talk about the pumpkin spice frappe for a minute? It’s insane! But back to my favourite season: fall. Fall to…
It’s September, and while most of you are adjusting back to your school schedule, the need for the fun that summer radiates isn’t quite gone. Everything is changing, whether it’s your transition to a different school or the season. Nonetheless, September can offer a wide range of fun opportunities so don’t let fall pass you…
As a young girl, I always dreamed of being a “real” singer. For Kate Stevens, this has become her reality. The radio today is filled with auto-tuned songs that essentially play on repeat. Sometimes it seems like music is dying. But with down-to-earth performers like Kate, music can be a down-to-earth experience again. I’m lucky enough…
{source} Happy September YYC! The beginning of a school year means a new start, so I thought it was appropriate to introduce new (and old) Canadian bands to add to your playlist. I was recently contacted by a band from Edmonton and I immediately fell in love with their music. This made me realize how shielded we…