The SAO held its first in-person conference since 2019 in Kingston on November 12 & 13th. The conference theme Sparking a Renaissance was an opportunity to bring together sixty one young violinists, pianists and cellists from across Ontario with close to thirty teachers attending the Teacher Sunday, with others joining in virtually from Quebec and Manitoba.

Keynote speaker, Carrie Reuning-Hummel gave an inspiring and appreciated Parent Talk on Saturday followed by an inspirational and reflective keynote titled Sparking A Renaissance on Sunday. Dr. Sian Frank et Julie Salverson (Queen’s University) presented a fun interactive session sharing concrete ways we can look after ourselves as educators by making sure to include play in our own lives.

Guest  clinicians  Mélanie  Grenier,  Gail  Lange,  Witold  Swoboda,  David  Evenchick  et  Greg Wanless brought their collective energy and expertise to the students who were so happy to create music together after two plus years of being apart. Special thanks to Debbie Hammond & Geneviève Schirm- Joyce for stepping in at the last minute to teach two enrichment classes.

The SAO Kingston organizing team of Jodie Compeau, Venetia Gauthier, Kiri Hauck, Karen-Michele Kimmett et Julia McFarlane would like to acknowledge the exceptional support of volunteers from Canta Arya School for Strings and the Kingston Music Suzuki Association who             weekend ran smoothly and supplied delicious treats for the clinicians and organizers too!

SAO Kingston Conference team