2. Your official role is Stage Manager, but it is far from the only thing you do. What roles do you also play? Has your work got more difficult when the COVID-19 hit?
 

I officially became Stage Manager for the Festival in 2018 after a year of working together with long-time Stage Manager Kelly Crowhurst. In the past, I worked primarily in the summer only (as I was a student) so my main role leading up to the actual Festival was artist liaison (interspersed with various other duties such as proofreading the brochure/programme, organising accommodations for Festival Artists, co-creating the rehearsal schedule with Jim, etc.). During the Festival proper (pre-COVID) I would work backstage, collaborating with Craig and Thomas at the Stockey Centre to figure out stage layouts for each performance, page-turning for various pianists, setting up the stage for each performance (i.e., stands, piano, chairs, etc.), and more! Since COVID-19 hit I started working virtually for the Festival (since teaching was put on standby) and have experienced many different roles since then. From marketing, graphic design, creating our eShop, editing virtual concerts and more, it’s been quite a journey. I’m so thankful that we have such a great team here that helps make all of our jobs easier – I couldn’t do it without them!
 

3. What connection do you have to classical music? 
 

I have always enjoyed classical music since I was very young, but my real journey into classical music began in 2005 when I joined the Parry Sound Children’s Choir run by William McArton. I continue to be a part of the Parry Sound Choral Collective to this day and it has a very special place in my heart. A few years later, after being taught the basics of playing the piano in music class by Laura Zulak, I started to take piano lessons from Bill which I continued into high school. In grade 8 the high school music students came to our school and we had a chance to learn instruments for the first time (outside of keyboards). This was the first time I got to try the clarinet and it was in this moment that I decided I wanted to take music all through high school. 

When I got to high school, I was SO fortunate to have Nikki Brown as my music teacher. She was such a huge inspiration to me and she, along with Bill, really cultivated my love and passion for music. I decided about halfway through my high school career that I wanted to become and music teacher and with Nikki and Bill’s help I pursued my Bachelor of Music Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. After 4 incredible years there I went on to complete my Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University and started teaching with the Waterloo Region District School Board in September 2019. I maintain my musical chops by playing clarinet in the North Bay Symphony, Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra, and Fuse Orchestra (formerly Vera Causa Opera).
 

4. What do you like the most about the Festival? 
 

My favourite part of the Festival is threefold: the people, the music, and the environment. First, the people. The musicians I get to meet and interact with backstage are some of the best in the world and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to collaborate with them. The staff and Board of Directors are so welcoming and work like a well-oiled machine to help the Festival to run smoothly no matter what we face. The patrons we get to interact with outside of concerts and at the office really brings a sense of community to the Festival. Secondly, the music. I think this is self-explanatory; world-class music in an acoustically-perfect venue? Nothing better! Lastly, the environment. Two words: Georgian Bay.
 

5. How do you see the Festival in 5 years?

In 5 years I think the Festival will be back to “normal”, but a NEW normal. We will all be vaccinated from COVID-19 and will be experiencing live music together once again. However, I think that the new areas that COVID-19 forced us to explore (e.g., livestreaming, virtual events, etc.) will continue to be a part of the Festival world. It’s all very exciting (especially being able to experience live music. We ALL need that; musicians and audience alike).