RCAC Valentine’s Performance
This Valentine’s Day join the Rossland Council for Arts & Council for an evening of music. Crossing all musical meridians, Klezmeridian has its roots in Yiddish Klezmer folk music, the music of Eastern Europe and contemporary folk music. This ensemble brings together West Kootenay musicians Martine denBok on violin and vocals, Nicola Everton, clarinet, Noel Fudge, guitar, Bessie Wapp, accordion and vocals, Rob Fahie, double bass and Graham Tracey, percussion and vocals, all of whom are accomplished musicians in their own right in the genres of classical, jazz, rock, folk and world music.
In addition to performing traditional arrangements, talented composer Noel Fudge offers a distinctive touch to the group with his original compositions in both Klezmer and contemporary style. This unique mix of accomplished musicians creates an energy that is fast paced, energetic and introspective.
The RCAC would like to thank our generous sponsors Teck Trail Operations, BC Touring Council, BC Arts Council, and the Government of BC for their ongoing support of RCAC’s Performance Series.
Martine denBok - Violin & Vocals
Martine denBok is a classically trained, professional violinist with a captivating stage presence and a ‘spine-tingling’ tonal colour palette. A natural born musician who began violin lessons at the age of three, Martine has now performed as concertmaster for over twenty productions with Edmonton’s ‘Opera Nuova Orchestra’, spent three seasons playing next to Juno nominated Pablo Diemecke with Victoria’s ‘Die Mahler String Quartet’ and played first violin for Edmonton’s popular and eclectic ‘StringBeans Quartet’. She holds a Masters of Music in Violin Performance, and is the Principal Second Violinist of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. Now a resident of New Denver BC, Martine is a busy multi-instrumentalist and collaborator, most notably with her acclaimed duo, ‘Freya’ – a group known for their heartfelt and spell-binding instrumental compositions and sweet vocal harmonies. Aside from performing, Martine maintains a busy teaching studio with students from Nelson to New Denver.
Nicola Everton - Clarinet
Clarinetist Nicola Everton has made the Kootenays home after a career spanning over twenty years as a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Currently, she appears regularly with the Okanagan Symphony. Her post secondary music studies began with a full scholarship to Arizona State University followed by a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. As an avid chamber musician and concert presenter, Nicola has been involved with the Kootenay Gallery concert series, is a founding member of Selkirk Pro-Musica in Nelson and is the coordinator for the Kootenay Chapter of the Health Arts Society, a professional concerts series for seniors in care. Nicola has served on the faculty of the Vancouver Academy of Music and has performed and taught at summer festivals in Sun Valley Idaho, at the University of British Columbia, in the Slocan Valley, at the Valhalla School of Fine Arts and in Smithers, at Orchestra North.
Noel Fudge - Guitar
Noel Fudge is a versatile contemporary composer and multi-instrumentalist. His studies began at Vancouver Community College, and he holds a BFA in composition from the Simon Fraser University. Noel is an avid composer, and his portfolio ranges from film scores to choral and orchestral works, to singer-songwriter and instrumental music. His current projects include performing and composing with his duo 'Freya', and writing and arranging for studio recordings and local performance projects including 'Klezmeridian' and Art Joyce's 'Dead Crow'. Noel is the producer and recording engineer for his home studio, ‘Fudge Music Factory’ and is an admired and reputable guitar instructor of 25 years.
Bessie Wapp - Accordian & Vocals
Bessie Wapp is a musician, theatre artist, educator, and Nelson Cultural Ambassador (2015). Bessie studied at ECCAD, VCC and Selkirk, and became a core member of Vancouver’s Mortal Coil (stilt-dance theatre) and Zeellia (Eastern European folk music), with whom she toured extensively. Highlights include NYC’s Lincoln Centre, Washington DC’s Kennedy Centre, and Zagreb’s Croatia Danceweek. Based in Nelson since 2006, Bessie leads the Blue House Choir, plays with local music groups, performs and directs theatre productions, and teaches at Oxygen Art Centre. This season, in addition to performing with Klezmeridian, Bessie can be seen in White Rabbit Red Rabbit, On the Other Hand: two true musical tales of choice, Bill Lynch Trio, and Songs of Bertolt Brecht with Noemi Kiss.
Rob Fahie - Double Bass
Originally from Ottawa, Rob Fahie attended McGill University, completing his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance. He then received a full scholarship to the University of Colorado to study a dual-concentration Master of Music degree (jazz and classical). During his career, he has performed at prestigious jazz clubs and premiere concert halls throughout the world including The Blue Note and Carnegie Hall. In 2013, Rob moved to Nelson and has succeeded in making a name for himself on the region’s vibrant music scene.
Graham Trace - Percussion
Graham studied music at Middlebury College, VT, and The New School in New York City. He worked for over a decade in Manhattan as a session vocalist, multi instrumentalist, and composer for film & television. He toured extensively with The Trans Siberian Orchestra and New York’s infamous party band, The Niagaras, until moving to British Columbia in 2008. Currently, Graham operates High Lonesome Recording in Nelson, BC, and plays live with a variety of local acts.
Klezmeridian Ensemble (Music - Klezmer)
Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, 7:30 PM
Tickets $20 at rosslandartscouncil.com or at ‘Out of the Cellar’ in Rossland
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For more information please contact:
Meghan Wright
Executive Administrator, RCAC
rosslandarts@gmail.com