For Immediate Release - October 12, 2022
On Saturday, October 15, The Suzuki String School of Guelph (SSSG) will welcome Metis fiddler Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuck for a Metis culture and fiddling workshop.
Students will find out about Metis history and traditions as well as learn to play some Metis fiddle tunes.
Traditionally, Metis fiddling is transmitted aurally, an approach that is very familiar to Suzuki students who start out their musical journey by learning by ear before learning how to read music.
This workshop comes on the heels of Truth and Reconciliation week when students learned in school about indigenous history and the horrific impact of residential schools on indigenous children and their culture.
“This workshop is an opportunity for our students to learn first-hand about Metis culture and start their own journey towards Truth and Reconciliation through music”
says SSSG Artistic Director Carmen Evans.
Born in Winnipeg, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk has completed a doctorate in classical and fiddle music traditions on the viola at the Université de Montréal. Upon learning about her Red River Métis roots, she discovered the old native and Métis style of fiddling traditions.
Alyssa’s mentorship with Ojibwe elder fiddler Lawrence “Teddy Boy” Houle led her to collaborate with his brother, James Flett, in creating Oméigwessi, Reel Métis: A Tribute to Walter Flett, which won Best Fiddle and Best Instrumental Album at the 2008 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. She is also a member of the Métis Fiddler Quartet. Their release, North West Voyage, received the Best Traditional Album award at the 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
About the Suzuki String School of Guelph (SSSG)
The SSSG is a non-profit charitable organization that is dedicated to teaching string musical instruments for Guelph and surrounding communities.
The mission of the SSSG is to:
Promote the healthy growth and character development of children through the study, practice and performance of music.
Build a musical connection between the child, the parent, the teacher and the community.
Promote the idea that every child can learn a musical instrument and flourish through a musical community.
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