UNews - Breeanne Fuller

Conservatory of Music hosts online lessons for more than 700 students

trevor.kenney — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 17:49:02 +0000

With schools closed and parents adapting to home schooling their children, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music is helping to provide some normalcy by quickly adapting their one-on-one music lessons to an online format. Since the closure of Casa, over 700 students have transitioned to online classes, keeping music in their homes during a difficult time.

Piano instructor Colleen Klassen teaches a virtual lesson with one of her young students.

“We wanted our instructors to be able to continue doing what they love, and have some financial stability during these uncertain times,” says Breeanne Fuller, director of the uLethbridge Conservatory. “We were not sure how receptive our students would be, but the support from our private students and their families has been incredible.”

While the instructors acknowledge that in-person lessons are ideal, they agree that the new online, interim arrangement has been successful so far.

“I, of course, prefer the weekly in-person interactions with my students, but for now, these online lessons are a great substitute,” explains piano instructor Colleen Klassen. “They keep our students progressing and moving forward, and they provide consistency in our young students' lives, when everything else around them has changed.”

Klassen teaches about 35 students a week at the Conservatory, and quickly adapted to online teaching using the Zoom platform.

“Music can be a source of comfort, and I think that’s something we all need right now,” she says.

It didn’t take long to get conservatory instructors and their students up to speed on virtual lessons.

“I was amazed at how quickly the instructors researched online teaching and developed a plan to implement it,” says Fuller. “Not only did they figure out the best way to schedule lessons, but also the best ways to interact, share lesson plans, send sheet music and even record accompaniments.”

Because the COVID-19 pandemic is a global issue, musicians and educators are coming together from around the world and forming alliances to assist each other in making this transition.

“Experts from all over the world are hosting free webinars and building Facebook groups to share resources,” continues Fuller. “It has been incredible to see the resiliency and positivity in our instructors locally, but also the sense of community among music teachers on a much larger scale.”

Music, and all creative and fine arts, play a role in comforting, healing and bringing peace during times of crisis.

“Providing over 700 students the ability to continue their love of music brings a new sense of joy to the students and the instructors – although we all look forward to seeing each other in person again soon,” says Fuller.

For more information about the Conservatory of Music and one-on-one music lessons, visit ulethbridge.ca/music-conservatory.

Young Artists Music Academy fundraiser features unique works of musical art

trevor.kenney — Fri, 03 May 2019 19:32:01 +0000

A cello that’s now a clock. A violin transformed into a beautiful painting. A variety of styles and inspirations that create show-stopping centerpieces to feature in your home. One of a kind, once unplayable-violins painted and repurposed by renowned artists are the feature items at Piano by Request, a fundraiser supporting young musicians, May 11, 6:30 p.m. at Casa.

Crowsnest Pass artist Kari Lehr's violin features a black bear in a prairie wilderness setting.

Hosted by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, 100 per cent of funds raised will support subsidies for young musicians to participate in the Young Artists Music Academy, an intensive performance-based program for teen-aged musicians. This one-time fundraising event is centred around a live auction of beautifully crafted stringed instruments found in the depths of the Conservatory’s collection.

“We wanted to find a way to repurpose some of our older violins, rather than just throw them out, so I approached some local artists to transform them into art and it kind of snow-balled from there. The pieces are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. They are simply stunning works of art,” says Conservatory Director, Breeanne Fuller. “We started with an artist in the Crowsnest Pass, Tony Partridge, and after he mentioned it to his friends we soon had artists like Kari Lehr offering to contribute. It has been amazing to see how generous these artists have been. I’m sure the pieces took an incredible amount of time to create.”

Kari Lehr, an artist based in the Crowsnest Pass, works primarily in acrylic, often incorporating mixed media. Her violin features a black bear in a prairie wilderness setting. Prints of Lehr’s work is sold at over 100 retail locations across Canada and the US, so this is a unique chance to get your hands on an original work.

Artist Tony Partridge is also from the Crowsnest Pass.

Tamminga-Paton’s piece features a teal centre and gorgeous birds in action. She titles it Morning Choir (Lark Ascending), with the text of the poem beautifully scribed on the back of the violin. Tony Partridge’s classic style features a floral front and angelic back providing two unique display options. Mark Robinson’s violin is marbled in tones of blue. Diana Zasadny’s artwork is inspired by excursions in the deserts, prairies and mountains. And there’s more. All of the original artworks are currently on display at Casa for advance viewing and bidding.

Launched in 2017, the Young Artists Music Academy is open to teenaged classical strings players, percussionists, pianists and vocalists looking for intensive performance-based training. It includes several activities per week that aim to expand the awareness, skills and experiences of the classical musician optimizing the success of the most dedicated and gifted young musicians.

“Because of the intensive nature of this program, the costs to the students could become very expensive,” says Fuller. “We felt strongly that cost should not hinder a student’s ability to be part of this program, so a model was devised that subsidizes the costs to the students by 70 percent. All funds raised at Piano by Request will go to benefiting the youth in this program. We are proud to say that because of these subsidies, our music academy is within reach for any committed young musician in this community.”

Piano by Request includes appetizers, drinks, live and silent auction, and live music in a piano-bar style with Anna McBryan. Tickets are $40 each or $360 for a table, which includes wine and reserved seating. Tickets are available at the Conservatory of Music front desk, located at Casa (230 8 St S) or by phone at 403-329-2304. Advanced bidding on the live auction will be accepted until May 10.

Feel the Beat celebrates Mozart

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:15:50 +0000

Join us on a magnificent voyage as Mozart and his young son Karl come to life on stage at Southminster United Church, May 15 and 16.

Discover Mozart's passion for composing and embark on a magical journey into the world of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute. Follow the Prince and Papageno as they try to rescue Princess Pamina from the Queen of the Night in Sarastro's enchanted castle.

Mozart's Magnificent Voyage includes 23 excerpts from the master's music. Performed by musicians from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, these excerpts are masterfully woven into the drama as two actors recreate historical incidents from the composer's life.

"The Feel the Beat concert series offers free performances year round for children, providing opportunities to hear and see classical music performed live," says Breeanne Fuller, conservatory program co-ordinator. "Our programs are age appropriate, relatively short and always free!"

This mesmerizing concert and story performance is about 50 minutes long and is recommended for audiences age six and up. More than 3,500 seats have already been reserved, but with six performances in total, seats are still available in three performances.

Supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra, Feel the Beat is completing its fifth successful season.

Seats are available for only the following presentations: May 15 at 12 p.m., May 15 at 6 p.m., and May 16 at 2 p.m.

Tickets must be reserved in advance by calling the U of L Conservatory of Music at 403-329-2304 or by visiting www.uleth.ca/music-conservatory/mozarts-magnificent-voyage and clicking Register Online.

Conservatory connects to community

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:39:25 +0000

We've all used guidebooks, maps and compasses when hiking in the Rocky Mountains, but have you ever heard of a musical guide to the Rockies? That is what creator (and Calgary native) Samantha Whelan-Kotkas has produced.

Through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Feel the Beat concert series, Lethbridge audiences will get an opportunity to take part in the experience.

"After the success of the original Rocky Mountain Fairytales, presented as part of the U of L Conservatory of Music's Feel the Beat concert series in 2008, we knew her More Rocky Mountain Fairytales would also be a hit," says Breeanne Fuller, Conservatory co-ordinator.

Whelan-Kotkas is doing four concerts in Lethbridge on May 17 and 18 at 10 a.m. and noon each day. Tickets are still available for the noon shows at Southminster United Church.

Children of all ages are sure to enjoy the chamber jazz music performed by U of L music professor Dr. David Renter and local musicians Scott Mezei and Paul Holden in conjunction with some of Canada's finest jazz musicians, including composer Tyler Hornby and pianist Chris Andrew from Edmonton.

"The Feel the Beat series offers free concerts year round for children, providing opportunities to hear and see classical music performed live," explains Fuller. "Our programs are age appropriate, relatively short and always free."

Supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Feel the Beat is enjoying its third successful season.

"More Rocky Mountain Fairytales showcases jazz music, and as an educational music school in this community, it's important to show young children that jazz music owes a great deal of its legacy to the classical tradition. Duke Ellington, for example, loved classical music," she says.

"Families of all ages are invited to the concert. Although admission is free, seats must be reserved before the show," adds Fuller.

Seats can be reserved by calling 403-329-2304.

This story first appeared in the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Conservatory connects to community

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:16:01 +0000

Through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Feel the Beat concert series, Lethbridge audiences will get an opportunity to take part in the experience.

Whelan-Kotkas is doing four concerts in Lethbridge on May 17 and 18 at 10 a.m. and noon each day. Tickets are still available for the noon shows at Southminster United Church.

Supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Feel the Beat is enjoying its third successful season.

"Families of all ages are invited to the concert. Although admission is free, seats must be reserved before the show," adds Fuller.

Seats can be reserved by calling 403-329-2304.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Breeanne Fuller

Conservatory of Music hosts online lessons for more than 700 students

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