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Front Line Staff

 

 Name Sarah Davachi, Interpreter
With Cantos since September 2007
What I Do I talk about music/instruments to the people and play music/instruments for the people. In the summertime, I do gallery research.
What I Bring Musical experience ranging from classical piano to electroacoustics, an interest in learning about things and a tendency to be pretty thorough when I’m talking about things I’m passionate about.
My favourite thing about working at Cantos Everything about the place is amazing. The work [you get to play, talk and learn about instruments and have nice experiences with the people you meet], the space [you can play a pipe organ, a harpsichord, a polymoog and a Steinway all in the same place] and the interesting, talented and passionate people you work with are unlike anything anywhere else.
My favourite item in the collection There are too many to choose from, but probably either the Ondes Martenot or the Wurlitzer 200 [yes, it's true, that's two]. The Ondes because it's sort of fascinating and fun to play and the Wurlitzer because playing it just sort of feels good.
Random fact about me I have an abnormally low pulse.

 

 Name Laurna Germscheid, Interpreter
 With Cantos since September 2007
 What I Do I guide tours and run children’s programs
 What I Bring A commanding voice
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos My favourite thing was Sarah Davachi.
 My favourite item in the collection I love the Kimball Theatre Organ because it always gets such a great response and it doesn’t matter what you play on it, it will always sound fantastic
 Random fact about me I am a GREAT dancer.

 


 Name Chris Maric, Interpreter / Contract Performer / Program & Exhibit Designer
 With Cantos since August 1999
 What I Do I mainly give tours and run events. Also hired for musical performances (Corporate events, Silent Movie - Music at Noon, Folk Fest Tent, etc...) I helped to design the school programs and BOOM!
 What I Bring People skills, public speaking skills, music performance, visual design, interactive design, creative ideas, random hilarity
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos Being able to connect with people (fellow-employees and general public) through the use of the collection and space.
 My favourite item in the collection Steinway - Louis XV: I love the simplicity of it, yet I think it is one of the most beautiful instruments we have (for sound and design). It is also the piano that originally inspired me to compose a 20-minute classical piece in 3 parts.
 Random fact about me In grade 8, between a friend and myself, we managed to eat a 16-scoop ice cream sundae.... And honestly, it was even bigger than it sounds! Never touched ice cream for a solid year after that.

 

 Name Alyssa Michaud, Interpreter
 With Cantos since September 2008
 What I Do I teach many different kinds of school programs and lead general tours through the gallery
 What I Bring A nearly-complete B.A. in Music, several years’ background in private piano teaching and a very deep love of music and history.
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos Nothing gets me more excited than being able to share the things I’m passionate about with others – and my biggest passion is music! Finding ways to make the history come alive for people on a tour, or seeing the “lightbulb moments” for kids in a school program make every single day incredibly rewarding and exciting.
 My favourite item in the collection Because I am a pianist, and a fan of George Gershwin’s music, I can’t help but completely love the Rhapsody in Blue Steinway. It’s a gorgeous instrument and I never get tired of looking at it.
 Random fact about me The flipside of my interests lies in the world of science and math and, before I was a music major, I was very briefly a chemistry major. I can give a great “tour” of the night sky through a telescope, complete a deadly-accurate acid-base titration or recite 65 digits of Pi upon request.

 

 Name Chris Nevile, Interpreter
 With Cantos since April 2005
 What I Do I lead tours, present programs and attend events
 What I Bring I studied keyboards for 20 + years, I have a Bachelor of Music in Education, I have worked with youth for the past 7 years, I have been on the music scene for eight years and I enjoy all facets of music and music making.
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos The rage of diversity amongst the acoustic and electronic instruments
 My favourite item in the collection Rhapsody in Blue because it has the richest tone and the most expressive touch. Y ou always experience something new whenever you play it.
 Random fact about me I prefer belts to suspenders, yet I own a pair of rainbow suspenders.

 

 Name Bob Pearson, Interpreter
 With Cantos since July 2005
 What I Do I guide tours, tell stories and make friends.
 What I Bring I have an M.A. in history and have taken several music history courses. Further, I have been involved in historic musical re-creation programs in museums and historic sites throughout the province of Alberta.
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos Witnessing the WOW reaction on the part of visitors who have no idea that Calgary had such a unique and rare collection of instruments.
 My favourite item in the collection My favorite Cantos instrument is the Lightning. It allows visitors to take an active part in the program without the self-consciousness that often comes with playing the piano.
 Random fact about me I have a large collection of vintage radio recordings.

 

 Name Annie Phillips, Tuner, Piano Technician and Interpreter
 With Cantos since January 2007
 What I Do I am responsible for the maintenance and tuning of instruments in the collection
 What I Bring Attention to detail and an insatiable curiosity
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos Cantos’ mission of community outreach through music is a value that I believe in very strongly, so working here is meaningful both personally and professionally.
 My favourite item in the collection The Neil Stewart Spinet from 1777. It’s a modest little instrument with a warm, golden sound that melts me every time I get a chance to play it.
 Random fact about me I built a semi-subterranean octagonal cabin with my father several years ago in the woods of Nova Scotia.

 

 Name Lorel Plett, Interpreter
 With Cantos since Fall 2005
 What I Do I work the Good Vibrations program and events
 What I Bring Full time accompanist so I come with a LOT of music performing experience. Also, I am hearing impaired so I am good at connecting with others that are handicapped. Speak a bit of sign language as well!
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos Great fellow staff members and totally cool instruments and great kids that come to visit!
 My favourite item in the collection My favourite is the sonica because it is tunable, melodic, there are more than one so you can have an orchestra of them and they are totally portable!
 Random fact about me Played piano on TV and in Disneyland! Also, I’m an excellent salsa dancer.

 

smith photo Name Brandon Smith, Anchor Interpreter
 With Cantos since September 2006
 What I Do I lead school programs, do all different kinds of tours, help out at events, various set-ups and teardowns and am the general go-to guy for odd jobs
 What I Bring Versatility, an unbridled passion (or is it obsession?) for keyboards, patience, and the ability to “wing it” when asked to.
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos All of the expert advice from the resident experts who don’t seem to mind me bugging them all the time.
 My favourite item in the collection The minimoog. Because Minimoog + large stack of speakers = synth bass HEAVEN!
 Random fact about me I have musical ADD which is why I never give the same answer when someone asks me what my favorite band is. I’d call it MADD but that’s already been taken.

 

Storm Name Craig Storm, Event Staff
 With Cantos since November 2007
 What I Do I am an ambassador for Cantos and I do what I can to make things run smoothly for our guests.
 What I Bring I have a large degree of enthusiasm for synthesizers - and a degree in electronics to boot.
 My favourite thing about working at Cantos I am fortunate to have access to so many important musical instruments and take advantage of that as often as possible.
 My favourite item in the collection The Raymond Scott Clavivox is my favourite. A young Bob Moog in the business of building Theremins had delivered a Theremin circuit to Raymond Scott. Months later, Moog saw what it was for. Scott had removed the antennas and replaced them with a keyboard and a series of knobs. This new instrument had the ability to glide between notes like a Theremin, but was much easier to play. Later models used a light source and photographic film with varying transparency to appropriate pitch. This was certainly a coming together of great musical minds.
 Random fact about me My day job consists of researching obsolete electronic components.

 


 Name Kenna Burima, Interpreter
With Cantos since 2000
What I Do I lead tours and do front of house for events.
What I Bring With a degree in music history from the U of C and an artist diploma from MRC, I play piano pretty well. Plus, I’m well versed in the history of the keyboard and keyboard music.
My favourite thing about working at Cantos The fact I have access to the Collection. We’ve recorded all of the keyboard parts to all of the Woodpidgeon records at Cantos. It’s a dream.
My favourite item in the collection The Elton John piano because it houses “the ghosts of a hundred songs” and the fact that it’s an ordinary (really ordinary) little upright piano painted white.
Random fact about me Chris Nevile (another Cantos interpreter) and I knew each other in a past life. (I’m serious).

 

 Name Jacqueline Bell, Interpreter
With Cantos since May, 2009
What I Do Working at events and leading programs for students and the public
What I Bring I play rock keyboards and classical piano and have experience facilitating programs. Mostly though I just laugh a lot.
My favourite thing about working at Cantos The super sweet folks that are your co-workers, and of course getting to play the amazing collection!
My favourite item in the collection The theatre organ, because all instruments should have a bird call button.
Random fact about me My favourite colour is gold, my favourite city is Barcelona, and I play keyboards in a  band called Thighs.

 Name Naomi Cromwell, Interpreter
With Cantos since May 2009
What I Do I lead school programs and have a great time doing it!
What I Bring I've been involved in music in some capacity since I was 4 and come from a musical family. From 2003-2006 I attended Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C. majoring in composition and vocals and moved to Calgary shortly afterward.
My favourite thing about working at Cantos I have a passion for music and community development and am pleased and excited to be a part of such a great organization.  I've met so many wonderful people of all ages since I began working here.
My favourite item in the collection It's a toss-up between the Rhapsody In Blue (I'm a sucker for aesthetic and attention to detail) and Elton John's songwriting piano (I'm a huge Goodbye Yellow Brick Road fan... playing that piano is a spiritual experience),
Random fact about me I am a musical theatre nerd and frequently belt out show tunes while doing housework.  I must drive my neighbours nuts!

 


 Name Tyler Los-Jones, Event Staff
With Cantos since January 2008
What I Do I help with the set / up and take down of events and make sure that people feel welcome when they come into our building.
What I Bring Cantos is a great example of various forms of creativity coming together to make something dynamic. As a practicing visual artist, I think my aesthetic sense adds something to the Cantos cocktail of creative potential.
My favourite thing about working at Cantos Being in close proximity to so many instruments and people who can play them. I love spending time with expressive people who make music with a completely different artistic vocabulary than my own.
My favourite item in the collection I am a big fan of the ARP 2500 Synthesizer. It is a beautiful example of a past era’s depiction of the future. Plus that scene in Close Encounters is epic.
Random fact about me The only instrument I can kind-of play is the harmonica.

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