Interviews

Here, Jacqui talks about creating opportunities for performers of colour in Ottawa’s theatre scene and providing a safe space for vulnerability in young storytellers.

At the time of this writing, Andrea Ross has spent an uninterrupted 850 days creating one-of-a-kind doodles at gruntled.ca.  She looks back on each day, through all the things she’s experienced, picks her favourite moment of joy, draws it, and posts it to her site.

Le R Premier: “While it is true that the arts often mirror the world we live in, the arts must above all embody the positive transformations that we would like to see in the world, in addition to denouncing injustice.”

Eleanor Crowder is an award-winning actor, playwright, and director. She is a member of several artist collectives, including Bear & Co., Calalou, The Skin Songs Collective, and The AWAY Collective. With MASC, Eleanor works in classrooms to explore text and dramatic creation.

“Volunteering found me and I found volunteering,” Nancy tells me, with the sounds of skaters at Charlie Bowins in the background. Through volunteering, she found meaning and purpose. She says it helped her sort her life out, and she owes a lot to volunteering.

Amanda Lewis: “I wanted the children to know that they could continue learning and having fun, but most importantly I wanted them to feel seen and heard and valued. I wanted to give them a small sense of normalcy by continuing their relationship with a trusted and familiar instructor.”

Multi-award winning Twin Flames  is led by Jaaji, an Inuk Mohawk man from Nunavik, and Chelsey June, an Algonquin Cree Métis woman from Ottawa. Their newest single “Battlefields” speaks to ending the stigma associated with mental health. Jaaji and Chelsey June speak about life as touring musicians and arts educators adapting to COVID-19.

Chris McKhool has been delighting audiences with infectious songs and world instruments for two decades. In this interview, Chris talks about launching a new album in the midst of a pandemic and connecting with children of all ages through joyful music and positive messaging.

Corinne Blouin is an Ottawa-based creative focusing on energy healing, movement, and combining the practice of art for self-expression with healing and growth.

Jess Magnan: “To be a spiritual practitioner is to answer the call of our best selves. Each individual that answers this call raises the collective human vibration toward a new kind of existence on our planet. If you are reading this, answer the call.”

Brad Lafortune hails from the Métis community in Sudbury, Ontario. He works as a physiotherapist in Ottawa and offers Métis jigging workshops and performances through MASC. Here, he talks about the unique identity created through a blending of rich cultures, as well as the opportunity to bring the joy of dance into people’s homes during COVID-19.

Incredible things happen when great people come together to make Ottawa a better place. Case in point: Last year, a collaboration between the Nobel Women’s Initiative, MediaStyle and Martha Chaves created the When Feminists Rule The World (WFRTW) podcast.

Nathan, Jack, and Ben have been attracting celebrities and “people with interesting jobs” for their podcast The Interview Dudes since its inception in June 2019. They’ve produced four seasons since then. What sets this podcast apart from others like it? Well, the Dudes in question are all finishing up Grade 6.

Founded in 2007, Propeller Dance is recognized as a leader in Canada for their innovative, inclusive creations and teaching practices, and for demonstrating that dreams can be achieved for people of all abilities. Artistic associate and company dancer Liz Winkelaar speaks about Propeller Dance as a role model for students and the community.

Trained in jazz ballet at the Montreal Jazz Dance Academy and then at the West Can Folk Performing Company in Montreal, Suzan is an accomplished artist and a seasoned teacher and choreographer. She recently appeared on CTV News Ottawa and will be offering workshops through MASC’s online program and the National Arts Centre’s #CanadaPerforms.