Concert for Peace: In Support of Ukrainian Refugees and those Trapped by Conflict in Ukraine (Thursday)

Loreena McKennitt is well known as a composer and singer. In a recording career spanning more than two decades, Ms. McKennitt’s ‘eclectic Celtic’ music has received critical acclaim world-wide, and gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in 15 countries across four continents. To date, she has sold over 14 million albums with a catalogue that includes seven studio recordings, three seasonal recordings, a live in-concert DVD and two DVD documentaries.  She’s won two Junos, Canada’s premiere music award, garnered two GRAMMY® nominations and has performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Less well known is the fact that Ms. McKennitt is a highly successful businesswoman who has created an independent record label with celebrated international success.

Born in Morden, Manitoba, Canada, she moved to Stratford, Ontario in 1981, where she initially worked with Canada’s renowned Stratford Festival. In 1985 she established her own record label, Quinlan Road, a move which has made her a rarity in the music industry.

In the early years, Ms. McKennitt ran the operation from her kitchen table, selling her recordings by mail order and producing her own concert tours. Today, she leads her own company with responsibilities that include everything from creating strategic business plans to overseeing marketing and promotion.

Ms. McKennitt’s business acumen is also applied to the three charitable foundations she established. Her Three Oaks Foundation provides financial support to cultural, environmental, historical and social groups. The Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety, founded in 1998, has raised more than $4 million in support of water safety education, as well as search, rescue and recovery operations. In 2000, Ms. McKennitt purchased a recently-closed public school in Stratford and transformed it into the Falstaff Family Centre. Responding to concerns identified by the local community, the Centre focuses on the needs of families and children in Perth County, Ontario, which is where she resides.

Ms. McKennitt’s passion for business is matched by her passion for human rights. In 2006 and 2007 she was involved in a landmark human rights privacy case in Britain, where the courts ruled in her favour. The judgment, which was upheld by the House of Lords, has helped to advance privacy law around the world.

Ms. McKennitt is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba. In 2002 and 2012 she was the recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and in 2013 she was appointed to the rank of Knight of the National Order of Arts and Letters by the Republic of France.

From 2006 to 2013 Ms. McKennitt held the position of Honorary Colonel of the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in the Royal Canadian Air Force and upon completion of the appointment was awarded the RCAF Commander’s Commendation in recognition of outstanding professionalism and dedication. In September 2014, Ms. McKennitt was appointed as the Honorary Colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Denise Pelley

Denise has performed with many great artists including acclaimed trombonist Ray Anderson, Gospel/Blues legend Jackie Richardson and Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook.  She has opened for Aretha Franklin at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. Denise has performed with symphony orchestras and festivals which have included the du Maurier Downtown Jazz Festival (Toronto), Ottawa Jazz Festival, The Royal Canadian Big Band Festival (London), Bluesfest (London), Waterloo Jazz Festival and Sunfest (London), among others. Denise also enjoys acting and has been part of The Grand Theatre (London) seasons performing in the Fats Waller musical Ain’t Misbehavin’, Wang Dang Doodle with Denis Simpson and A Streetcar Named Desire.  Denise’s one-woman show, Jazzabel premiered in September 2004 at the McManus Theatre (Grand Theatre), London, Ontario to sold out audiences!  In October 2005 Jazzabel was performed in Washington, DC at the National Museum for Women in the Arts and in February 2006 to audiences in New York City at Urban Stages Theatre.  As well, she was premiered in the February 2006 issue of O (Oprah Winfrey) Magazine.  Denise’s recording credits include seven CD’s. She is honoured with being the recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.  In 2003 she was named a YM-YWCA Woman of Distinction in the Arts and Heritage category.  Denise won best jazz artist in London, Ontario’s Music Awards in 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2008, 2009, and 2012.  In April 2006 the Hyde Park Rotary presented her with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Rotary’s highest honour.   In 2008 and 2014 she won Jazz Artist of the Year at the Jack Richardson awards.  In February 2009 the London Black History Committee honoured Denise with the Black Community Achievement Award in recognition of her accomplishments, contributions and support to her community.  In April 2015 she was inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame.  In November 2015 Denise received a honourary licentiate diploma from Conservatory Canada. Denise is a volunteer with Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan traveling annually since 2007 where she helps to deliver a music and art camp for the children.  She is also a board member with Educate the Children helping to raise funds for a school in Nigeria.

Stephen Holowitz

Stephen Holowitz moved to London, Ontario in 1983 from his home town of Thunder Bay, Ontario to study pipe organ and piano at the University of Western Ontario. After graduating he dedided to make London his home. He currently teaches at A.B. Lucas Secondary School and is organist at St. James Westminster Anglican Church. In addition to these two occupations, Stephen is busy as a soloist or accompanist in classical, jazz and pop styles. He was featured in 1999 with the London Encore Concert Band performing works by Duke Ellington and Hoagy Carmichael. He has performed with Orchestra London, the Gerald Fagan Singers, Herencia Latina, and the Hot Latkes Klezmer Band. He is keyboardist and co-composer for the Antler River Project, a London based ensemble that blends jazz, world music, and contemporary compositions into a unique musical experience. They completed a tour of Ireland in July of 2001 with the Guelph Chamber Choir. Stephen composed music for the Grand Theatre's world premier of 'North' by Greg Nelson (2000) as well as 'The Wind in the Willows' (1998) and 'Anne' (1999.) On October 17th in addition to Stephen on piano, we will be treated to the talents of Oliver Whitehead on guitar and Sandy MacKay on drums plus a number of special guests. London vocalist Jessie Ross will be part of the afternoon's entertainment. At 13 her idols included Ella Fitgerald, Sara Vaughn and Carmen McCrea. Jussie has received the International Young sosoist Award from the Rose Kennedy Foundation. She has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and with a number of Canada's most respected musicians including Jeff Healey, Guido Basso, Chase Sndborn, et al. Jessie recently returned from Italy where she took part in a festival, made two television appearances on RAI, Italy's national broadcaster. In June she returned to the Kennedy Center where she participated in an International Festival.

Nicole tan

Born in Malaysia, Nicole initially moved to Canada to pursue her musical endeavours in classical piano and voice in 2009. Upon completing her Masters in Vocal Performance and Literature at Western University in 2015, she found herself unexpectedly gravitating toward jazz and bossa nova. It began when Nicole was invited to perform at Graydon Hall - with a very specific request that she must showcase a series of Jobim classics. What began as a mixture of intrigue, frustration, and foreign love, eventually led to a connection and deep passion for the genre. Since then, she has been collaborating with various wonderful musicians to showcase the charm and fun size of jazz and bossa nova. A versatile performer and songwriter, Nicole is at home with both the contemporary and the classical, while boasting a repertoire of over ten languages. Currently, she is enjoying an active performing and real estate career, while conducting vocal workshops and sessions in Asia when she travels. Nicole is also a grateful nominee of the 2019 and 2020 FCLMA, and the winner/recipient of the 2018 Jack Richardson London Music Awards (Classical Vocal Solo), the RCCO Award (2017), BGM Competition Award, I.K. Cheah Memorial Award, Hedy King Robinson Award (ABRSM), Distinction of the Arts Award (Columbia International College), and the Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS).

Bryan Gloyd

Bryan Gloyd’s musical career has many facets including working as a church musician, recording artist and jazz pianist. Bryan has accompanied many local musicians and organized jazz programming at The Aeolian. He has also accompanied two-time Grammy Winner Matt Alber, the legendary songwriter Marc Jordan and the Canadian National Jazz Award Winner Denzal Sinclaire.

Tara Dunphy

Tara Dunphy is a full time professional musician from London, Ontario. She has toured extensively across North America and has released 7 critically acclaimed albums with her band The Rizdales. Tara won multiple championships for Irish music (tin whistle, flute), has been awarded 6 Forest City London Music Awards awards with The Rizdales as well as receiving multiple Ameripolitan Music Award and Academy of Western Artists Award nominations. She is a singer and musician (violin, guitar, mandolin, tin whistle and flute) whose style and repertoire is wide ranging, spanning the genres of jazz and swing, pop, celtic, country and classical.

Larry Smith

Larry Smith is one of Canada’s most highly regarded musicians. He has toured worldwide with multiple international acts and is an in demand session musician, producer and guitar teacher. Together, Tara and Larry bring new life to old classics and their exciting, improvisational style keeps their audience engaged and on the edge of their seats.

Singer-songwriter Marty Kolls brings the energy of her east coast upbringing, classical music training, and life-long experience on the stage to every one of her performances. She mesmerizes her audience with her voice, melody and presence, with songs that speak of living life from the heart. “Marty Kolls is a revelation,” says the London Free Press’ Arts Editor, James Reaney. Marty released her first full length album entitled ‘This Life’ in 2014 to a standing room only audience at one of Canada’s top rated and intimate music venues, Aeolian Hall. This performance was an experience for all who attended and awaited for the arrival of this much anticipated album including her friend and producer Simon Larochette of Sugar Shack Studios. The album sums up much of Marty‘s experience as an artist and lover of life, not without it’s disappointments and battles. The title track ‘This Life’, inspired by a Richard Linklater film ‘Waking Life’ urges us to live in the present before there is ‘nothing left to give’.  Like warning bells going off in your head, the bombast of the horns and punch of the drums reiterate the same message. An artist who writes from experience Marty takes her audience to the many places she’s lived such as her beloved New Brunswick with it’s winding roads and formative memories.  She also speaks of her times living and working for years in Asia as a musician and teacher where her appreciation for privileged life was awakened. Upon her return to Canada in 2006 Marty was thrown into the mix of musical talent in Toronto Ontario. Finding her way through the modern era of online overnight sensations, she nestled into the musical venues of the west end like the Cameron House and the Dakota Tavern carrying on the traditions of her live music upbringing. There she stumbled upon producer Jesse Capon and together they produced a two song CD through the FACTOR Music Demo Grant, now offering Marty something to share with the industry. It wasn’t long before her stories would take a new turn upon discovering she was pregnant with her daughter, and shortly after made the move with her husband to his home town of London Ontario where they now live. Continuing to make music in a number of bands, including well known cover-grass band Kevin’s Bacon Train, Marty has found a home and community of strong musicians and friends. Now sharing the stage with acts like Sarah Harmer, Dan Mangan and Whitehorse, she continues to love and take pleasure in the good fortune that is ‘This Life’.

Aaron Allen

Country singer-songwriter and tattoo artist Aaron Allen is back on the Aeolian Stage performing his favourites as well as cuts from his emotionally charged EP; Highway Mile released in April 2020.. Remaining true to his signature sound that fans have come to love, Allen brings his raw and honest song writing to the album, while marking Allen’s 10th studio release. “I wanted to make something that stood up over time,” said Allen on the new EP. “Highway Mile is really about the stories from my real-life experiences - I just tried to be transparent with the hope that maybe my story would connect with others. I hope we’ve done that with this new record.” Quickly becoming Allen’s fastest-growing single, the new releases’ title track — “Highway Mile” — was added to 7 playlists on Apple Music out of the gate, gaining almost 200,000 streams in its first month.  Set to surpass the previously released “Where Music Comes From,” “Highway Mile” demonstrates Allen’s dedication to creating deeply personal stories through music. Aaron’s story will sound familiar to many.  Faced with some serious personal challenges as he entered his teenage years, country music became his lifeline and songwriting the outlet for his pain and frustration.  Allen made a promise to himself that he would make country music his career, even though – thanks to his wife – tattooing eventually helped pay the bills. “All I had was my voice and a guitar so country music was really the only way to go for me,” Allen says.  “I’ve always loved how simple and direct great country songs are.  They go straight to the heart and that’s what I’ve always tried to achieve with songs I write. I feel like my favourite artists are speaking specifically to me and I hope people have that feeling when they hear my songs.” Keeping the momentum going Aaron released his new EP Highway Mile on April 3rd, 2020 produced by Jeff Dalziel.

Aimee Allen

Performing on stages for over 2 decades, classically trained Pianist and Singer/Songwriter Aimee Allen has just taken the next step towards the spotlight. Most notable as a multi instrumentalist and back up vocalist for partner Country Music star Aaron Allen. Her debut single was produced by multi award winning Producer Jeff Dalziel (Brett Kissell, The Washboard Union, Aaron Allen) and is raw, honest and vibes with today’s emotions and experiences. Although it’s a debut Aimee’s years of experience come shining through in her smooth, confident and uniquely pleasing performance on It Is What It Is.

Fraser Teeple

Fraser Teeple has slowly built a catalogue of musical work that stands as an underground gem in the Canadian music scene. His economy and sensitivity as a songwriter evoke a young northern Springsteen, with a textured voice that can cut through an east end dive bar or soulfully creak out a heart-breaker to a still concert hall. Fraser approaches his songwriting craft like a tradesman: he respects the strong tradition he stands within, and works carefully and with dedication to master the simple skills of telling a story, creating an image, or crafting a melody. He has apprenticed in bars, coffee shops, and concert halls across Canada and Europe — and has become a soundtrack for driving down a dirt road, renovating a house, and burning driftwood on a northern beach.

Marion miller

Marion Miller is one of London's most versatile musicians. Trained in Canada, France and the United States as a classical pianist, she has nevertheless covered the musical spectrum from playing in a swing orchestra to composing for musical theatre. At 18 she was on faculty at the Banff School of Fine Arts. She has been musical director of the Grand Theatre and pianist for the Aria International Summer Academy for Advanced Music Studies, played Chopin on CBC Radio and vaudeville tunes at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre. She taught at UWO shortly after graduating there with a Master’s degree in musical performance and the president’s gold medal for academic excellence. Today she maintains a large class of private students ranging from young and adult beginners to university-level aspiring concert performers.

Clark Bryan

Clark was born in Simcoe Ontario into a musical family. His mother, a piano teacher and his grandparents both singers inspired Clark to choose a pathway of music as a profession. Clark began formal studies at age four and wrote his first compositions at age six. In his youth, Mr. Bryan trained with longtime pupil of the renowned pianist Géza Anda, Antonia Mazanova. She helped him gain an appreciation for music of all styles. Mr. Bryan did his formal training at the University of Western Ontario.  In 1992 he graduated with both Bachelor and Masters Degrees in piano performance. Mr. Bryan has worked with many of the world’s renowned pianists including Howard Shelley, Jean Paul, Sevilla, Eugene List, Shura Cherkasky, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Ruth Slenczynska and Ronald Turini. Mr. Bryan spent many years working with the celebrated pianist Cécile Ousset both in Paris and the south of France where he refined much of his pianistic and interpretive abilities. Clark’s performance career has taken him to Europe, Mexico the United States and throughout Canada. He has done performances for CBC radio and television including a broadcast recital in 2002 at the Glenn Gould Studio, CBC. He has adjudicated music festivals from St. John’s to Vancouver.  Mr. Bryan has done extensive music editing including the New Millennium Piano Series for Conservatory Canada.  A recent project of note is a book entitled:  “Gateways to Learning and Memory” published in 2009. Mr. Bryan has recorded eleven albums of solo piano and a duo piano album of the Suites for two pianos by Serge Rachmaninoff with duo partner Marion Miller.  His most recent recordings include the complete Chopin Nocturnes. In 2004-2005 Mr. Bryan was invited by London’s City Council to serve as a member of the Creative Cities Task Force, an initiative designed to recognize and promote art, culture and lifestyle in London, Ontario. Mr. Bryan received the “Special Teacher” award 2004 given by the London Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teacher’s Association and has been nominated four times for a Jack Richardson music award.  He has done workshops for piano teachers and musicians throughout Canada.  January 2005, Mr. Bryan was named Musical Personality of the Year by the London Free Press.  Mr. Bryan is current the President of the London Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association.  Mr. Bryan was honoured to have been invited to give a TED talk for TEDxUWO in March of 2010 at The Grand Theatre in London Ontario and has also recently been guest lecturer at The University of Western Ontario for the International Leading Music Educator’s Conference.  He has also presented at King’s College UWO in a SPARKS conference, for the City of London at an “Ignite Culture” presentation and at “City Symposium”, London Ontario. In 2004, Mr. Bryan purchased the Aeolian Performing Arts Centre and School of Music, a magnificent acoustic marvel in London, Ontario. This hall was built in 1883 as the Town Hall for East London and has a rich musical history. In 2009 he shifted the governance of the Aeolian into a registered chariy.  The Hall was  awarded “Best Live Venue in London” (Jack Richardson Music Awards)three times and “Top 10 Venues in Canada” (CBC radio 3).  In April 2011, Mr. Bryan was awarded a Jack Richardson Music Award in the “Contributor” category for his contributions to the musical landscape in the London Community.  In 2011, Mr. Bryan launched El Sistema at the Aeolian, a free UNESCO award winning music program for children and youth.  In January 2016, Mr. Bryan with the approval of his Board of Directors open a new education campus at Bishop Cronyn Memorial Place.  This new home for the El Sistema Aeolian program will also include many other educational programs soon to be implemented.  This new facility also includes a beautiful historic church facility for more artistic presentation.

Pride Men’s Chorus London is part of a movement of LGBTQ2 Choirs in the world.  In 1978 San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Chorus made an unexpected debut after the assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone.  Pride Men’s Chorus London made its unexpected debut at the Vigil for The Orlando Massacre hosted at Aeolian Hall on June 14th 2016.  In the global arena of eroding human rights and particularly the rights of the LGBTQ2 community, we sing to enlighten and help those with closed minds and hearts open up to celebrate diversity and love.

Pride Men’s Chorus London creates experiences through choral music that promotes community, diversity, inclusivity and excellence. The chorus is open to all men regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. With the goal of combatting stereotypes and perceptions, we challenge the heteronormative worldview by inspiring our audience, the LGBT2Q communities and our broader community through advocacy and music. We celebrate victories won, we mourn lives lost, we find unconditional acceptance, and we celebrate all life in harmony, through our songs.

There are millions of participants in over 80 countries and the program has spread across Canada quickly. Canadian Provincial and National Associations are forming. Our local program offers five days of instruction to our participants including orchestra, choir and piano lessons. Meals and snacks are also provided. Our participants give approximately 10-20 concerts per year in various settings.

The arts enlighten, inspire and transform individuals, helping us build strong, healthy and vibrant communities. El Sistema Aeolian provides an opportunity for children, youth and their communities to experience a free, intensive, innovative and accessible after school music program. We provide expert instruction in a nurturing, safe and inclusive environment allowing participants to develop their full social and musical potential.

Anya Romanenko studied at Repin School of Fine Arts in her native Ukraine. During this time, Anya also received a degree in Architecture. Her educational background is reflected in the structural nature of her compositions, yet it is softened by the free-spirited, dreamy and often humorous nature of the subjects depicted within her pieces.

Anya’s paintings have always reflected personal and intimate subject matters. Life events, travels, loves and losses, and mostly family make for a wide variety of stories that she generously shares with her viewers. As Anya’s art evolves and progresses, new characters enter her canvases bringing with them new dreams and experiences.

Anya is continuously experimenting with various medias and most of her paintings and illustrations are created using a combination of artistic tools. She works with encaustic (wax), ink, acrylics, coffee and various textured materials. Her methods are bold, uninhibited and as a result, each piece unique.

The personal and expressive nature of Anya’s works makes them relevant to art lovers of all caliber. Her real life optimism and unyielding energy are inevitably reflected in every painting. Each painting tells a story and the viewer is introduced to a world of color, harmony, wisdom and joy.

Anya currently resides in Toronto, Canada where she teaches art at Crestwood School and works out of her home studio. Anya also designs sets for various ballet performances, most notably, at Bayview School of Ballet. Her encaustic, acrylic and ink collections have been exhibited in art galleries and shows throughout North America and Europe.

Kiev International Gallery