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2015/2016 Emerging Artists with Board Member
Lynn Whetham and Artistic Director Ronald Beckett
In spring 2015, Katerina graduated with her Honours Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Music from Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied composition and improvisation under Linda Catlin Smith and Glenn Buhr, and voice under Vicki St. Pierre and James Westman. During her time at Laurier, she was involved with numerous new music projects in the Kitchener-Waterloo community including the WLU Composers and Improvisors’ Association, as well as the WLU Songwriters’ Circle, which she founded in 2012. She is also the founder of Audax (meaning “Bold”), an all-female, Waterloo-based, creative vocal ensemble which performs primarily improvised and original music that explores connecting sound, movement, and visual art. In September Katerina will begin her Masters of Music in Composition at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Isabella is a young, ambitious soprano from Hagersville, Ontario. She is currently enrolled in the Honours Bachelor of Music program at McMaster University, where she is entering her 4th year. At McMaster University, she participates in the McMaster Women’s Vocal Ensemble, the McMaster University Chamber Choir and the McMaster University Choir, all under the direction of Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff. For the 2014-2015 academic year, Isabella worked as a Teacher’s Assistant for Second Year Harmony, under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Woolhouse. This past year, she was the Social Coordinator for the McMaster University Choir Council, and for the 2015-2016 academic year, Isabella will serve as President. Despite her busy schedule, Isabella remained on the Dean’s Honour List for the past three academic years at the University, receiving several scholarships to aid in her studies. Isabella currently takes vocal lessons with Lita Classen, at McMaster University with the intent to pursue her Performance Diploma for Classical Voice. Isabella has previously studied with Gloria-Jean Nagy from Ottawa Ontario, where she participated in various vocal competitions such as Kiwanis Music Festival, Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association Competition, and National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition. Isabella has sung in the Pembroke Youth Choir for 4 years and with the Haldimand Choralairs for 2 seasons. Isabella has worked as a young artist for Marvin Fick’s presentation of Haydn’s Creation. In 2013 and 2014, Isabella had the privilege of singing in the soprano one section of the Ontario Youth Choir. She will be returning to the Ontario Youth Choir for 2015. Isabella has immersed herself in the spirit of being at University for her biggest passion with hopes of pursuing further education and opportunity in Vocal Performance. Alongside singing, Isabella spends her time playing piano, for which she will be preparing for her Grade 9 Practical Exam. She is currently entering her 3rd season with Arcady and could not be more excited to be entering this season as a Young Artist.
Stephanie Orlando, composer
Stephanie is the winner of Arcady’s Young Composer Competition. Her winning piece “A dream within a dream” will be performed at Arcady’s Voices of Summer on June 10, 2016. Stephanie is an emerging composer and pianist based in Toronto. Born and raised in Hamilton, Stephanie recently completed her Bachelor of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University. At WLU, she studied composition with Linda Catlin Smith and Glenn Buhr, and classical piano with Elaine Lau. Stephanie is a versatile pianist, having performed with various ensembles such as the WLU Improvised Concerts Ensemble and WLU Jazz Ensemble. Her compositions have been read and performed by the WLU Symphony Orchestra, Dion Flores and the Reading Chamber Orchestra, the Penderecki String Quartet, along with many other performances in Waterloo and Toronto. She also frequently performs her own works. This year, her music will be performed by the Penderecki String Quartet, Nouveau Trio, and Rosewood Consort. Stephanie is currently pursuing her Masters of Music Composition at the University of Toronto, studying under Christos Hatzis. She is a member of the International Alliance of Women in Music (IAWM) and the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers (SOCAN).