Artists

Dee Daniels

An Afternoon of Jazz, Blues and Gospel: Sunday, Feb 27 | Studio Theatre
2:00 pm. Tickets: $25 adult / $20 student & senior

Whether accompanying her self at the piano, fronting a trio, big band or symphony, Dee Daniels’ musical career is as varied as her four-octave vocal range is thrilling. She is a unique talent who transcends musical borders when she brings her jazz styling, infused with gospel and blues flavoring, to the stage. One critic says, “Daniels’ voice has a hypnotic quality, delivering an impressive range that gives the romantic songs and verse of 50 years ago new life and raw emotion.”

Though Dee has a B.A. Degree in Art Education and taught high school art for a year in Seattle, she quickly realized that her true calling was music. Her vocal style was born in her stepfather’s church choir in Oakland, California, refined through the R&B era, polished during a five-year stay in The Netherlands and Belgium from 1982 to 1987, and brought to full fruition upon her return to North America. During those years to the present, she has performed and recorded with many ‘Legends of Jazz’ including Toots Thielemans, Houston Person, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, Ed Thigpen, Monty Alexander, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton, Hank Jones, Bill Charlap, and Russell Malone – to mention a few.

Dee’s international career includes performances in twelve African countries, Australia, South America, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, throughout North America, and many countries within Europe. Career highlights include a nomination for Atlanta Theater’s 2010 Suzi Bass Award; the 2009 receipt of an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Fine Arts and 2008 President’s Award, both from Capilano University; 2003 recipient of the prestigious Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and induction into the University of Montana’s School of Fine Arts Hall of Honor as well as a 1997 University of Montana Distinguished Alumni Award; a 2002 inductee into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame with a plaque installed on Vancouver’s Granville Street Walk of Fame; and a command performance for the King and Queen of Belgium’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. Sharing the stage while singing the blues with the late Sarah Vaughan, and singing gospel and blues with the late Joe Williams remains at the top of her list!

Dee has cultivated a diverse career that has also seen her on theatre stages including the 2009 premiere of New York choreographer, Twyla Tharp’s, new musical, Come Fly Away, and, as an inspirational speaker, with a keynote address being delivered at the 2009 Women’s CEO & Senior Management Summit in Toronto.

With the creation of her Symphony Pops programs, Great Ladies of Swing and The Soul of Ray: The Music of Ray Charles, Dee has enjoyed sharing stages with symphony orchestras across the USA and Canada. She has toured with the Nord Netherlands Symphony Orchestra; performed Songs From Disney Movies with the Munich Radio Orchestra; recorded her Wish Me Love CD with The Metropole Orchestra of Holland; and recorded the Holiday Pops CD with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She is the guest vocalist on the 2006 Crossover Xmas and the 2007 Crossover Xmas: The Sound Goes Big CDs recorded with the Philharmonie Baden-Baden of Germany.

A respected vocal clinician, adjudicator, and mentor, Dee presents clinics, workshops, and master classes around the world. In 2001, she established the Dee Daniels Jazz Vocal Scholarship at the Capilano University in North Vancouver, BC. She served on the advisory board of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival from 2002 – 2008, and has received several awards for her contribution in the field of music performance, music education, and community service.

JAZZINIT is Dee’s most recent CD release. To her credit, she has several other CDs as a leader, guest artist, and on compilation CDs.

Visit: www.deedaniels.com

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Ballet Kelowna

Action Consequences,  Saturday, Feb 26 | Studio Theatre
8:00 pm.  Tickets: $38 adult / $35 senior / $32 student / $20 child / $10 upper balcony

Capturing the entertainment interest of all members of the family, Canada’s Ballet Kelowna performs to sold out audiences.  Ballet Kelowna enhances the image of ballet, making the art form more inviting, fun and personally meaningful. In the span of only eight years, Ballet Kelowna has blossomed into a “Made in Kelowna” boutique dance company that is gaining attention across BC and also on the national level with its own, signature brand of “inno-classical” dance. 

the power, grace, beauty and athleticism of the company’s dancers is only achieved through dedication, hard work and a driving commitment to be excellent. The start-up of a young ballet company that has managed to operate in a fiscally sound way, is only possible with the dedication of talented, visionary believers on both the Staff Team and the Volunteer Corps, including the Board of Directors, working together.

Ballet Kelowna is breathtakingly beautiful, bold and fresh; captivating audiences with classical and innovative dance.  Because they are such a small ballet company, their performances are intimate, carefully crafted, rare and precious, captivating audiences through the movement of dance.

The 2010/2011 Ballet Kelowna Company features six young, dedicated artists who hone their skills and talent throughout the year under the direction of our Artistic Director David LaHay.  The dancers bring the stories and music to life on the stage, moving audiences  with their athleticism and artistry as well as their passion for being dancers, able to dance.  Meet company members:  Christina Cecchini, Raelynn Heppell, Kamilah Sturton, Davin Luce, Brenddan McCooey and Brett Trach. 

Visit: www.balletkelowna.ca

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Milton Randall

Drum Circle: Friday, Feb 25 | Rehearsal Studio
8:00 pm. FREE

Milton Randall began playing drums for socials and weddings at 13 years old. He received a B. Mus. Ed. from the University of Texas at El Paso (1985) and a M. Ed. (Music) from the University of North Texas in 1995.

Between degrees, Milton performed with the Winnipeg Symphony and numerous jazz and pop music venues and taught in St. Boniface School District in Winnipeg, MB. In 1995, Milton studied with master drummer Godwin Agbeli in his home village of Kopeyia in Ghana on a scholarship from the University of North Texas.

He completed his Ph.D. coursework at The University of British Columbia but put his graduate studies on hold in order to perform and give hand with drumming workshops in schools and public venues. From 2001 to 2008, Milton taught workshops in over 600 schools in Alberta, BC, Hong Kong and has introduced over 200,000 students to hand drumming.

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Carrie Tennant

Clinician: Children’s Workshop & Day of Singing, Friday, Feb 25 | Evergreen Cultural Centre
9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Registration Required

Carrie Tennantwill share her brilliant musicianship and creative work with participants, and inspire them to be confident singers in one day! She has directed national award-winning choirs, and has the ability to meld glorious tone production with exciting performances while empowering groups to connect to their music making.

Carrie is currently the Director of the Coastal Sound Youth Choir. A dedicated choral musician at the early stages of her career, she is becoming well-known in the choral community for her energetic and creative approach to working with youth. As both a high school teacher and community youth choir director, Carrie works hard to foster a sense of leadership and community awareness in each of her singers.

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