This February, we are proud to present beguiling musical storytelling set in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta.
Artwork | Lynne Huras
Wander with us on an imaginary journey to the meadows high above Canmore, where music and fantasy meet. Legend has it that the mountain fairies gather here to dance in the light of the full moon. Musical storyteller Samantha Whelan Kotkas joins pianist Mark Limacher for an interactive experience that will delight children of all ages. Fairy tales interweave with melody to spark both imagination and a love of music.
Expect to be captivated by this multimedia presentation featuring trumpet, piano and the whimsical artwork of Lynne Huras. This 50-minute performance is free – a gift to our audience. (Donations will be happily accepted!)
“There are no words to describe this magical production! Thank you to all for your incredible and inspiring vision and talent.”
Audience member Janey Kuschak on Whelan Kotkas’ “Wandering with Wonder” performance
“Totally spellbinding!”
Eileen McKee on the “Wandering with Wonder” performance
photo | Chris Malloy
Samantha Whelan Kotkas
trumpet
Samantha Whelan Kotkas is an award-winning storyteller, professional trumpet player, teaching artist, and children’s book producer. She has won praise for her unique interactive experiences for young audiences.
She wrote and produced “Wandering with Wonder” – an immersive outdoor musical storytelling experience involving original live and recorded music, story, puppetry and dance. Inspired by land, water and sky and filmed against Alberta’s gorgeous natural landscape, the film was awarded the ‘Best Musical Film’ by the Alberta Media Production Industries Association.
Other projects by Whelan Kotkas include the original Rocky Mountain Fairy Tales CD, which brought her together with composer Keon Birney and visual artist Lynne Huras. The stories are set in the beauty and wonder of the meadows, rivers, forests and peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. They follow the adventures of a young girl on her journey through the mountains with the help of her fairy friends. Each story on the CD is accompanied by an instrument family: brass, woodwinds, strings and percussion.
Samantha has worked in the Canadian and International Arts communities for over 20 years, and was honoured to be asked to serve as the Distinguished Graduate at the University of Calgary’s convocation ceremony in June of 2018.
Learn more
www.samanthawhelankotkas.com
Mark Limacher
piano
Composer-pianist Mark Limacher is a graduate of New School University in New York City. His compositions focus on small gestures and contemplative textures, his work manifesting most frequently in the guise of solo instruments and chamber ensembles.
Learn more
marklimacher.com
Want to support this initiative?
Donations happily accepted via CanadaHelps
