Marina Thibeault presented an online recital for the American Viola Society as part of the AVS Online Festival, for which she performed wide-ranging programme honouring groundbreaking women and non-binary composers from from Dorothy Chang to Ana Sokolovic to Melody McKiver.
The performance included Ningodwaaswi and Niizh by the Anishinaabe musician and composer Melody McKiver, dedicated to the memory of McKiver's grandmother Waa'oo Kathleen Bunting-iban, a survivor of the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ontario.
The recital was well received and multiple people commented. Here are some highlights:
Captivating performance! - Gwen Franz
Beautiful pieces! The presentation really elevates the music and her playing! - Melissa Melendez
I love these Melody McKiver pieces as well. They are so beautiful, and beautifully played. - Ames Asbell
gorgeous! I'm wowed! - Karen Ritscher
what a refreshing program and such a gorgeous performance! - Kimia Hesabi
The recital is available to watch until August 6th for members of the American Viola Society.
Learn more about how to receive or provide support through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and UBC's Indigenous Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. You can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.