NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH YOUTH MUSIC CENTRE
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The Guelph Youth Music Centre will be presenting its most recent inductee, Sue Smith, to the Wall of Fame at a concert on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. The concert will feature the talented artist, teacher and creative catalyst, Sue Smith who has generously parlayed her love of music and creative spirit into teaching and empowering young people in Guelph for 30 years. The presentation and concert, A Sunday Afternoon Salon, with Sue Smith and guests, will begin at 1 p.m. with a gathering time including student performances and retrospective art displays, and will be followed by a light reception.
“Sue Smith epitomizes the philosophy of the Guelph Youth Music Centre,” commented Josephine Horton, Chair of the Wall of Fame Committee. “She has an outstanding history of achievement directed toward creating in the young people of Guelph, from diverse backgrounds, a life-long appreciation for music and the arts.”
The GYMC’s Wall of Fame exists to honour individuals with links to the Guelph area whose activities have added significantly to the arts experience of young people in the community. To date, more than 20 people have been recognized for their contributions.
"I’m deeply honoured to receive the 2018 Wall of Fame award from the Guelph Youth Music Centre,” Sue Smith commented. "As a musician, teacher and community builder, it’s a special honour to be recognized by an organization which itself was created by community and for community.”
Sue has also announced the publication of Sue Smith’s Little Book of Musical Inspiration, In the Words of My Students, which is a fundraising project honouring the Wall of Fame Award. Sue has created 50 handmade Little Books, which are a curated collection of quotes from her students gathered over 20 years. This is a limited edition, brimming with words of wisdom, self-awareness and glee spoken aloud during music lessons. Each book is bound in a unique piece of fabric which comes with a story of its own. The books will be available at the Wall of Fame presentation and concert on September 30. All funds raised will go directly to Guelph Youth Music Centre to support music education programs for children.
Hundreds of students have begun their musical journeys of discovery in Sue's piano and singing studios and through her two popular musical youth initiatives:
- The Season Singers started as a neighbourhood choir in the late 1990s. It evolved into a collaborative performing arts troupe for children aged seven to twelve with a mentorship program for teenagers. As artistic director, Sue has written or co-written and produced fourteen original stage performances and nine original musicals. Along with incubating creative talent, The Season Singers has helped a generation of young Guelphites develop friendships and build community through the performance arts.
- Sonic Playground was an interactive musical adventure for children using instruments made from everyday items. From 2004 to 2012, Sue brought the program to elementary schools and festivals across Ontario encouraging hundreds of children to make music, often for the first time.
Sue is also a solo artist and creative collaborator. She is Co-Artistic Director of Ondine Chorus, Co-producer of Spring Awakes! and a member of the Ravenstring Collective. She was part of the internationally acclaimed vocal trio, The Bird Sisters, and one of the founders of Guelph’s renowned Hillside Festival.
For more information visit click here and to reserve your spot, purchase FREE tickets at here.
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