Congratulations to Cassa Piano participants, Joel Cook and Gemma Konnert. Joel will compete as one of three performers in the ARMTA Provincial Piano Competition in Edmonton on January 26, 2025. Gemma is Runner-up, and needs to be ready to perform, should she be asked to at the last minute. Best wishes to both of you!
Introducing Dr. Dale Wheeler: 2025 Piano Clinician
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Dale Wheeler as our Piano Clinician for 2025! With decades of experience as a pianist and educator, Dr. Wheeler brings a wealth of knowledge to Cassa. A highly accomplished musician, he holds a Doctor of Music in Piano Performance from Northwestern University, a Master of Music from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Regina, along with ARCT and LRSM designations.
Dr. Wheeler’s career highlights include 26 years as a faculty member at Red Deer College, where he taught piano, keyboard literature, and pedagogy. Beyond the classroom, he has served as an adjudicator, clinician, and masterclass instructor across Canada. Known for his practical approach and focus on musical artistry, he is a respected voice in piano education.
As our 2025 Piano Clinician, Dr. Wheeler will share his insights through engaging workshops and sessions designed to inspire both pianists and educators. We are excited to have him join us and look forward to the invaluable expertise he will bring to this summer’s program.
Register for Cassa Concert, Cassa Piano, Cassa Adult Piano and Cassa Pedagogy today!
Cassa Musical Arts Newsletter Now Available!
We are thrilled to announce that the latest edition of the Cassa Musical Arts Newsletter is now available!
What’s Inside?
Summer Programming: Get the scoop on our 2025 summer programs.
Spotlight Stories: Meet the talented musicians, instructors and volunteers who make Cassa a vibrant hub for creativity.
Stay connected and informed by checking out the newsletter today. Whether you’re a student, instructor, or music enthusiast, there’s something for everyone.
Read it here: Cassa Musical Arts 2025 Newsletter
Thank you for being a part of our Cassa Musical Arts community. Let’s make music together!
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Cassa 2024-2025 Newsletter - Sneak Peak
A Family’s Journey Through Music with Cassa
At Cassa Musical Arts, we are proud to see the lasting impact our programs have on families and communities. Susan Savage, a dedicated Cassa board member, reflects on the incredible musical journey her children experienced through Cassa Piano. Her story highlights the joy of learning, the friendships formed, and the transformative power of music education. Here's her inspiring perspective:
"I have three grown children, but not too long ago they were youths engaged in an incredible musical journey. All three completed their ARCT in piano performance while in high school. In addition, one has her ARCT in piano pedagogy, and one has her LRCM. An important part of their journey was attending Cassa Musical Arts "piano camp" each summer for many years. Here they met other kids who were eager to learn, and who also wished to develop their piano skills. The fantastic instructors shared their knowledge and helped to shape the young musicians. The week ended with two concerts showcasing all that had been learned during the week. The transformation from the beginning of the week to these performances was simply amazing. The performers were thrilled to team up with other campers for performances of duets, trios, or 8-hand two-piano pieces. For my children, spending the week with other campers was an opportunity to make friends and to have fun. They always looked forward to piano camp, where they learned so much. Now that I have grandchildren, I am looking forward to when they will also attend Cassa Piano.”
Susan Savage
Cassa Board Member, December 2024
Inspiring Calgary's Youth Through Music
Inspiring Calgary's Youth Through Music: Your Role in the Cassa Legacy
For over 30 years, Cassa Musical Arts has been at the heart of Calgary’s cultural and artistic growth, shaping the next generation of musicians, composers, and performers. Our programs provide youth and young adults with unparalleled opportunities to master their craft, from instrumental music to composing and musical theatre. These experiences go beyond technical skills—they build confidence, spark creativity, and inspire excellence.
The impact of Cassa’s work is felt far and wide. With over 5,000 alumni, our community is a testament to the transformative power of music education. Many of our graduates continue to contribute to the arts, enriching Calgary’s cultural fabric and beyond.
But none of this is possible without the support of people like you. Parents, donors, and alumni play a vital role in ensuring Cassa continues to thrive as a unique and cherished institution. Your contributions—whether through donations or volunteer time—directly support high-level musical enlightenment for Calgary’s youth and secure the future of an organization that has nurtured talent and inspired dreams for decades.
As we look to the future, we invite you to join us in continuing this incredible legacy. Together, we can ensure that the next generation of young musicians has the tools and opportunities to shine.
Explore cassamusicalarts.com to learn how you can contribute today. Click here to donate now. Let’s keep the music alive for years to come!
Congratulations to Cassa Musical Arts Students on RCM Gold Medal Achievements!
We are thrilled to congratulate Cassa Musical Arts students Joel Cook, Jocelyn Zhou, and Davin Chan for their remarkable achievements in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exams! Joel received the RCM Gold Medal for Level 10 Piano, Jocelyn for Level 8, and Davin for Level 6.
The RCM Regional Gold Medal is awarded to the student who earns the highest mark on their practical examination within their level and region. Joel, Jocelyn, and Davin’s dedication and hard work throughout the year have culminated in this extraordinary recognition. Their passion for music and commitment to excellence is truly inspiring.
Well done, Joel, Jocelyn, and Davin! Your success is a testament to your talent and perseverance. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
Please Support Derek Stoll
Derek Stoll has been a volunteer for Cassa Musical Arts since its inception, and was our first Treasurer in 1996 when the Board of Directors was created. Derek has directed the jazz and creative music programs from their beginnings and continues to be on the Management Team as a Creative Advisor.
Derek unfortunately came down with Guillain Barre syndrome in August. It is a mysterious condition that causes paralysis, but almost everyone who comes down with this recovers completely. The recovery is usually lengthy lasting from a few months to a year or beyond. Derek is recovering and starting to be able to play again, but will likely be out of commission for this full teaching year.
Derek Stoll has been a mainstay on the Calgary music scene for years and has taught jazz piano at MRU Conservatory for many years. He has mentored many musicians and has given freely of his time to the musical community.
If you are able to contribute at this time, please go to the Gofundme link below that colleague John Roggensack set up for Derek. Thank you for your consideration.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-derek-stoll-with-recovery-expenses
Cassa Musical Arts: Inclusive Music Education for Neurodivergent Students
Cassa Musical Arts has a reputation for providing advanced arts education, especially popular among gifted youth. Now, it will expand its offerings to serve neurodivergent students, offering specialized programming.
Please help Cassa fund this specialized programming opportunity by voting for our initiative in the 2024 Field Law Community Fund Program. To vote and read more about initiative, please go to: https://fieldlawcommunityfund.com/ideas/cassa-musical-arts-inclusive-music-education-for-neurodivergent-students/
Thank you for your support!
New Athparia Music & Tantra Gallery Website
Cassa Musical Art’s 2024 Piano Clinician, Ms. Colleen Athparia, has some exciting news to share! She has launched her new website with the addition of their Tantra Art Gallery in India! There are also some new videos & piano duets to enjoy. Please check out her website at:
Photo from: https://athparia.armta.ca/
Thank You to ProArts Society!
A huge thank you to ProArts Society for showcasing our Cassa Musical Arts students earlier this month. For amazing clips of the performances, please check out the Pro Arts Society and Culture House social media posts:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/zzyNXLFCEUrMT6zP/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2rpuVgmHTE4canWK/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBR5W8RBNu4/?igsh=amptZnZ4eW42Y3Vl
We invite you to follow Cassa Musical Arts on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Instagram for more updates on our program offerings and events.
New Book Release!
Cassa Instructor, Simon Rose, has a new book coming out!
An Untimely Death is an exciting science fiction and fantasy adventure for young adults.
When Peter’s great-grandfather, Ted, passes away, Peter is looking through his belongings in the attic. Peter knows about Ted’s experiences with the Canadian Army in World War II and absentmindedly flips a coin. To his astonishment, Peter finds himself in the heat of battle in 1944, where he embarks on a highly dangerous mission to ensure that history is placed back on track.
Learn more at https://simon-rose.com/books/an-untimely-death/
ProArts Society Concert Featuring Cassa Musical Arts Students
On October 16, 2024, the ProArts Society will be presenting a concert featuring two outstanding emerging artists who have attended Cassa Musical Arts’s Cassa Piano Program for many summers. You will enjoy their musical maturity and youthful exuberance while they perform advanced classical, romantic and modern piano pieces.
For more information, please visit: https://www.proartssociety.ca/oct-16-cassa-musical-arts-students-performance/
Register Today for Cassa Piano 2024!
Cassa Piano is excited to host its 31st year of Summer Piano Camp soon. Come join us! Click here to register.
Joel Cook, pictured below, is a regular Cassa Piano attendee.
Mark Rico-Lam Performs at the Windspear Centre
Mark Rico-Lam, a regular attendee at Cassa Piano, recently played the organ at the Windspear Centre in Edmonton. Have a listen!
Cassa Instructor, Lorna MacLachlan, has a Performance Coming Soon
The Lorna MacLachlan Quintet will be performing at Cliff Bungalow-Mission on December 6, 2023. Please see the poster for details!
Cassa Piano Students Performing with the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra & String Quintet
We're delighted to announce that six students from Cassa Piano have been invited to play their concertos with the Rocky Mountain Symphony orchestra and strings at the end of January! Congratulations to Joel Cook, Ian Quon, Jocelyn Zhou, Kaslyn Chan, Elaine Meng and Joanna Zhang! https://rockymountainsymphony.ca/mozart
Lorna MacLachlan, Johnny Summers and Richard Harding at Asylum for Art
Cassa Instructor, Lorna MacLachlan, is performing with two outstanding musicians on October 20, 2023: Johnny Summers, who is the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra and a wonderful trumpet player, and Richard Harding, who is Calgary's finest saxophonists and a member of CJO, CPO and Primetime. Tickets are available at www.asylumforart.ca.
Improv at Cassa Piano
Cassa Piano students had lots of fun this July! This is a video with Improv Expert, Jennifer Aumentado, as she leads Cassa Piano participants through fun improv exercises on July 20, 2023.
A New Modern Summer Opera Repertory Company
We're delighted to announce that this fall, former student of Cassa's Derek Stoll, Tayte Mitchell, will be launching a new modern summer opera repertory company. The company will be based in Calgary and known as Ammolite Opera. Joining Tayte as co-founder and Music Director is conductor, collaborative pianist, and composer, Maria Fuller, from Regina.
You can learn more about Tayte and Maria on their websites.
Due to the lack of opportunities that are available to musicians in Western Canada, many talented opera singers, conductors, and instrumentalists must look elsewhere to establish a sustainable career. As a result, there's limited incentive for artists born in Western Canada to contribute their artistic talents back home. This project will help reveal and expose the careers of aspiring Canadian singers, designers, conductors, and instrumentalists to Calgarian audiences.
Check out performances at these links.
Ammolite Opera https://youtu.be/04PeQMI-Y5Q
Maria Fuller conducting reel https://youtu.be/LAFy5PA5of0
Tayte Mitchell singing “Che gelida manina” from La bohème by Puccini https://youtu.be/OVMHHOdNS0s
Their dream is to see Ammolite Opera become a cultural landmark of Calgary and a place where Canadian operatic artists give their Best in the West. Tayte and Maria firmly believe that Ammolite Opera will provide hope, purpose, and energy to the operatic art form in Calgary and beyond, with Ammolite Opera becoming established as the best summer opera company in Canada.
Please support the online crowdfund campaign.
https://www.indiegogo.com/.../ammolite-opera/x/34490985...
Their inaugural season will be in the summer of 2024, with two chamber opera productions in July/August. Their hope is to eventually expand and build a summer repertory company that runs from May to September every year, with five or more productions over the season.
In the meantime, there will be a very special Prelude Gala event this October. Tayte and Maria will be curating a fully designed and staged production of Rene Orth’s opera, Empty The House, at the cSpace Studio Theatre in Calgary on October 6th, 8th, 11th, and 13th, 2023.
Visit the event webpage for more information.
Cassa student Kaslyn Chan and her duet partner Clyde Li win gold at the Conero International Piano Festival and Competition!
Congratulations to Kaslyn Chan and her duet partner, Clyde Li, for the gold medals that they won with their duet for their performance in the Chamber Music Class at the 2023 IPPA Conero International Piano Festival and Competition - Canada Division.