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A Night of Cris Derksen Works with Strings
Juno nominated Cris Derksen is an internationally respected Indigenous cellist and composer. In a world where almost everything gets labelled and slotted into simple categories, Cris Derksen represents a challenge.
Originally from Northern Alberta she comes from a line of chiefs from NorthTall Cree Reserve on her father’s side and a line of strong Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music.
As a composer, she was commissioned by renowned symphony orchestras across Canada, and a multitude of festivals and special events.
As a performer Derksen performs nationally and internationally solo and with some of Canada’s finest, including Tanya Tagaq, Buffy Sainte Marie, Naomi Klein, and Leanne Simpson to name a few. Recent destinations include Hong Kong, Australia, Mongolia, Sweden, and a whole lot of Canada; the place Derksen refers to as home.
In recognition of National Indigenous History Month this evening is a celebration with works by the internationally renowned Indigenous cellist Cris Derksen, joined by the highly accomplished musicians Jessica McMann (flutist and hoop dancer), Sylvia Chow and Alison Zdunich on violins, Leanne Maitland (viola) and drummer Marek Tyler.
This event is pay-what-you-can, starting at $5.
All proceeds are donated to the Indigenous Artist Market Collective.