On Monday, April 14 room 130 at the Faculty of Music, U of T, was alive with the sound of music – a group of high school students from RH King Academy in Scarborough attended a workshop by the WMCT’s most recent Career Development Award winner, soprano Midori Marsh, who performed her sisterhood-themed concert for Music in the Afternoon on April 3. Like the concert, the workshop was a truly magical occasion!

Several students had the opportunity to perform solo and showcase their amazing vocal and acting talents while receiving a wealth of constructive feedback from Midori, whom they clearly loved! Her suggestions for improvements included working on breathing techniques, refining facial expressions, relaxing the head and neck, and maintaining one’s presence through to the end of a song even if one has stopped singing. For the students it was their first time performing with a piano accompanist (the amazing Andrew Ball) and they clearly felt this was a very special occasion while still feeling completely comfortable and supported both by their peers and by Midori. The students felt honoured and privileged to be working with a professional singer, and Midori relished the opportunity to inspire and encourage young musicians with whom she had a great rapport.

Warmest thanks to everyone – the students, their teacher Heather Shaw, Midori and Andrew, and WMCT volunteers and donors who all made this wonderful musical gathering possible.

Annette Sanger
CDA Chair