In this Issue . . .

• Music in the Community

• Merit Scholarship Winners

• Practice Makes Perfect?

• New Starts for 2016

• Faculty News & Concert Schedule

(continued on p. 2)

Merit ScholarshipMerit ScholarshipMerit ScholarshipMerit Scholarship WWWWINNERSINNERSINNERSINNERS 2015/162015/162015/162015/16

Junior Awards

Mila Herman • Piano

Noor Rashid • Piano

Anneli Sheridan • Piano

Intermediate Awards

Anne Mendoza • Piano

Naveen Sharma • Piano

Olivia Vento • Piano

Senior Awards

Michael McLean • Piano

Jessica Nachman • Piano

Juror’s Choice Awards

Antonia Cambre • Cello

Daniel Cassano • Piano

Thomas Desmond • Saxophone

Spencer Mackenzie • Piano

Julia McPolin • Piano

Alyssa Sanborn • Voice

Annika Sharma • Voice

Khrystyna Skira • Flute

Daniel Slobodnik • Piano

Kate Wilson • Voice

One of the finest paybacks for a musi-

cian’s discipline, study and practice is

the exhilaration of performing. And it’s

through performance that the universal

language of music is transformed into

an extraordinary dialogue with the

power to incite emotional, intellectual

and spiritual engagement. Musical per-

formances can inspire and even change

lives.

Seeking and creating exceptional per-

formance opportunities outside the prac-

tice room is integral to the fulfillment of

the Kingsway Conservatory of Music’s

mandate to provide a vibrant and enrich-

ing music learning environment.

A unique performance opportunity came

knocking with the City of Toronto’s

‘Tis the Season’ bustling family event at

The Assembly Hall - no stage, no mics,

yet no shortage of good vibrations.

KCM vocal students teamed up to form

a carolling ensemble whose voices

soared through the halls with a stunning

sound. Trading off the carollers was a

duo of KCM saxophonists offering up

original arrangements of some jazzy

tunes with a very cool vibe. Capping

off the program, the singers and saxes

joined forces for “We Wish You a

Merry Christmas” to the delight of a

beaming crowd. What a great night,

and a great performance collaboration!

Always active on the community con-

ing, and experience the reactions of our

audience, our music comes alive!”

To the many participants in KCM’s per-

formance outreach—thank you for shar-

ing your music, bringing joy and inspira-

tion to our community through the lan-

guage of music.

cert circuit are our Kingsway Children’s

Choir and Kingsway Chamber Singers,

delighting diverse audiences in aid of

some very worthy causes. Recent per-

formances include the Junior League of

Toronto’s “Tea for Teens”, the massed

choirs “Carolling in the Kingsway”

fundraiser for Out-of-the-Cold, the sold

out Kingsway Women’s Christmas

Event and a seasonal concert for seniors

at Delmanor Prince Edward Residence.

Choral Director Karen Sexton knows the

value of performance for her singers:

“Preparing for performances focuses our

musical goals. All the hard work of re-

hearsing is immediately rewarded when-

ever we take our music onto the concert

stage. When we share our joy of sing-

(cont’d from p. 1) … sharing our music NEW NEW NEW NEW

STARTSSTARTSSTARTSSTARTS in 2016!in 2016!in 2016!in 2016!

Adult Drum Circle Drum Facilitator James Freeman

guides newcomers and aficionados

in the art of hand-drumming, draw-

ing on Latin, African and middle-

eastern traditions. KCM’s Drum

Circle builds technique, rhythm and

ensemble skills, and offers a tonic

for body, mind and soul!

Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30 pm

Open Circle JANUARY 13, 2016

Kingsway Children’s Choir & Drum Ensemble Choir Director Karen Sexton invites

young singers to experience the ex-

citement of this unique choral pro-

gram encompassing vocal technique,

singing skills, choreography and

weekly Drum Circle. For boys &

girls ages 7 & up – All are welcome!

Wednesdays, 6:30-8:15 pm

Open Rehearsals: JAN 6 & 13

Kingsway Chamber Singers For more experienced singers, KCS

offers an enriched, multi-part, chal-

lenging choral experience exploring

a variety of languages and musical

styles from classical to contempo-

rary. These singers also provide

mentorship as section leads for the

younger choristers of KCC. For

boys & girls ages 10 & up - by audi-

tion.

Wednesdays, 7:45-9:00 pm

New members welcome

Phone for audition information

TRIPLE THREAT ARTS CAMP! Music, Art & Drama

Tap into your child’s innate creativity. Ages: Primary (4-6) & Junior (7-8)

Mornings, March 14 to 18, 2016

CHILDREN’S FLUTE CHILDREN’S FLUTE CHILDREN’S FLUTE CHILDREN’S FLUTE ENSEMBLEENSEMBLEENSEMBLEENSEMBLE

A child’s first foray into the flute family! A child’s first foray into the flute family! A child’s first foray into the flute family! A child’s first foray into the flute family!

This new instrument-based program introduces youngsters to a variety of flutes spe-

cially designed for young beginners. Starting with the

fife and then graduating to the Nuvo Flute, students

will be enabled to produce a good quality of sound and

to develop valuable musical skills right from the outset.

For young beginners

Ages 7-10 (Grade 2-4)

Thursday evenings, 6:00-7:00 pm

Did you know? . . .

Our innate capacity to communicate

through music and rhythms has deep

roots, traced to primitive times when

banding together was necessary to

withstand nature’s threats. Drawing

on the universal language of rhythm

as the vehicle for communication and

creative expression, the drum circle

was powerful in connecting, inspir-

ing and facilitating societal evolu-

tion.

That ancient tradition of the drum

circle is equally potent and relevant

in our modern society. Drum circles

are being rediscovered today in rec-

ognition of their compelling benefits.

A drum circle unites people of all

ages, backgrounds and levels of mu-

sical expertise to share their rhythmi-

cal spirit with drums and percussion.

The goal of the drum circle is not

precision or perfection, but rather the

ability to reach a state of group mind.

It is built on cooperation in the

groove. The music is improvised,

not prescribed, and it is a constant

work in progress.

The result—those magical musical

moments where one powerful voice

is created out of many. It’s a living,

breathing entity expressing timeless

joy, passion and release through the

power of rhythm—an unparalleled

creative expression that unites bod-

ies, minds and spirits.

Such is the beauty of the drum circle.

Now you know!

Every artist knows perfection is an in-

surmountable and unattainable goal.

Practising one’s ‘art’ however, be it mu-

sic, dance, painting, goes a long way

towards keeping us on the journey to

perfection. If I had a nickel for every

parent who has expressed to me ‘my

child is struggling with practicing’, well

let’s just say….

Why is it that establishing and maintain-

ing a regular practice routine often leads

to frustration and tension between parent

and child? My explanation … musical

study requires a higher level of self-

motivation and self-evaluation than

many endeavours. For example, if your

child plays competitive hockey or is a

synchronized swimmer, their ‘practice’

takes place at a regularly scheduled time

and place, in the company of their peers

and with their coach. Practising an in-

strument is a very different scenario. A

young musician must structure their

own practice time and place. In addi-

tion, they must ‘be’ their own teacher at

home, learning how to self-evaluate their

progress between the weekly lessons.

Inspiration and motivation in sports

comes from the competitive aspect and

being part of a team working towards a

common goal. If your child plays base-

ball, but only in the backyard, never ex-

periencing a game by either playing on a

team or going to watch a professional

game, likely their experience with the

sport may remain lukewarm. How can

we expect a child to develop passion for

playing an instrument when their experi-

ence is limited to a 30-minute lesson

each week and the isolation of practising

between lessons! Doesn’t sound too

enticing, does it?

The social aspect of making music is

key to balancing the isolation of prac-

tice. There are ample opportunities to be

on a ‘team’ – choirs, orchestras, small

ensembles, drum circles. It is also im-

portant for young musicians to hear pro-

fessionals making music by attending

concerts. Musically collaborating with

others leads to inspiration, inspiration to

practice, practice to progress and pro-

gress to great satisfaction!

~ Sharon Burlacoff

This exciting rhythmic journey

around the world dives into Latin,

African and Middle-Eastern

drumming traditions, unleashing

participants’ inner beat and innate

musicality.

For AGES 11-16

11-Week Sessions

Wednesday evenings

VOICE Norma Churchill Maureen Ferguson

Pamela MacDonald

GUITAR - ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC Andrew Frost Chris Malone

STRINGS / SUZUKI STRINGS

WINDS & BRASS

THEORY & HISTORY Sharon Burlacoff Sara-Anne Churchill

MUSIC FOR YOU & YOUR BABY EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSICIANSHIP

Sharon Burlacoff Veronica Materi Tatiana Olkha

GLEE, MUSICAL THEATRE, DRAMA Norma Churchill Brooke Banning

KINGSWAY CHILDREN’S CHOIR KINGSWAY CHAMBER SINGERS

Karen Sexton James Freeman

KINGSWAY CHILDREN’S ORCHESTRA KINGSWAY CHAMBER STRINGS

KINGSWAY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Rezan Onen-Lapointe Valerie Gordon

Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith

YOUTH FLUTES Alheli Pimienta

FLUTE CHOIR Allan Pulker

SAX ENSEMBLE Kelly Sanchuck

CELLO CHOIR Liza McLellan

GUITAR ENSEMBLE Chris Malone

HAND DRUMMING, DRUM SET,

YOUTH & ADULT DRUM CIRCLES

James Freeman

Michelle Odorico Rezan Onen-Lapointe Jani Papadhimitri Janetta Wilczewska

Rachel Gauntlett Valerie Gordon

Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith Liza McLellan

FACULTY NEWS Touring, recording & extraordinary pursuits

Sara-Anne Churchill has taken up a post

at the University of Western Ontario’s

Performance Department as Associate

Professor of Historical Keyboards. Last

August, she successfully completed a 4 1/2

day climb to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Erika Crino is adjudicating at the Kiwanis

Festivals of Guelph (April) and Windsor

(May). In January, Erika will perform a

solo concert in a beautiful villa in Assisi,

Italy, and in March, she will lead Master-

classes at Pianolegato Studio in Victoria, BC.

Rachel Gauntlett has been invited as a

guest clinician at the Atlantic Canada Su-

zuki Institute in St. John’s, Newfoundland

in the summer of 2016.

Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith performs on the

Aradia Baroque Ensemble’s latest CD,

Volume IV in Aradia’s evolving series of

Vivaldi Sacred Music.

Alheli Pimienta was invited to be a jury

member at the National Flute Competition

in Mexico City in December 2015. Alheli

is organizing the First International Latin

American Flute Festival in Canada in

April 2016 for which she will serve as

festival director.

Allan Pulker is featured in recital for one

of the Barrie Seniors Serenade programs

in April 2016.

Elina Sovgir and her husband Jan are

thrilled to announce the birth of their son,

Alex Julian Michael. Best wishes to all!

Janetta Wilczewska will perform through-

out the US including concerts with the

Orchestra of Northern New York, a cham-

ber recital in Vermont, plus a Vermont

production of “Oklahoma”.

Alheli Pimienta Allan Pulker

James Freeman Daniel Petras

Kelly Sanchuck

FACULTY 2015-16

PIANO - CLASSICAL & JAZZ Jeremy Ledbetter Michael Lee Veronica Materi Dany Nachman Daniel Petras Brad Ratzlaff Elina Sovgir Pegah Yazdani

Asher Armstrong Sean Bellaviti

Annika Borrmann Sharon Burlacoff

Sara-Anne Churchill Erika Crino

Maureen Ferguson Katya Khatsko

Dec 7 Musicians in Ordinary & St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum - Rezan Onen-Lapointe

Dec 13 Elixir Mixer - Sara-Anne Churchill, Valerie Gordon, Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith

& guests Michelle Odorico, Rezan Onen-Lapointe

Dec 13 Toronto Beaches Children’s Chorus - Allan Pulker

Dec 24 Organ/Flute Concert (Newmarket) - Allan Pulker

Jan 9 Tafelmusik Winter Institute, Finale - Rezan Onen-Lapointe

Jan 23 Canadian Arabic Orchestra (Mississauga) - James Freeman

Jan 30 Canadian Arabic Orchestra (The Music Gallery) - James Freeman

Jan 30 Canadian Sinfonietta (Heliconian Hall) - Erika Crino

Jan 31 Ontario Philharmonic (Koerner Hall) - Janetta Wilczewska

Feb 21 Windermere String Quartet - Michelle Odorico

Feb 28 Rezonance Baroque Ensemble (Gallery 345) - Rezan Onen-Lapointe

Mar 19 Nota Bene Baroque Players (Hamilton) - Rezan Onen-Lapointe

Apr 3 Solo Concert (The Music Gallery) - Janetta Wilczewska, Pegah Yazdani

Apr 16 Scaramella (Victoria Chapel) - Rezan Onen-Lapointe

May 14 Canadian Sinfonietta (Heliconian Hall) - Erika Crino

May 15 Windermere String Quartet - Michelle Odorico

Great Performances in the GTHA!