An interview with our 2023 clinician, Michel Fournier!

Want to get to know our fabulous, internationally-regarded 2023 piano clinician? Here’s a brief interview with Cassa expert and piano program coordinator Eric Nyland, in which Dr. Fournier shares his wisdom and his inspiration!

Transcript

 

 

Eric Nyland: Hi, Michelle. Thanks so much for joining us here. We're really excited to have you as a 2023 clinician for a 30th anniversary. 

 

I'm wondering if you can tell us a few things about ourselves for potential 

students. 

 

A few very quick questions. The first one of which is, how did you get into 

music? 

 

Michel Fournier

 

▪ ▪ Ah, well, as, as far as I remember as a very small child, ▪ we had old records at home and I kept listening to them over and over any. 

 

It was not only classical music but it was all kind of music and I ▪ ▪ remember 

my mom telling me that she had to stop me to, to do it because I just wanted 

to do it. 

 

So it was always part of my life. , and then later I have an older sister. 

 

She had piano lessons at her, her school. 

 

So we got a piano at home and then she was practicing, she was learning music pieces and I was observing her and, , even if she got mad at me for doing that, I was playing her pieces like by ear. 

 

And so so it bugged her a lot, but I thought it was fun for the music and for 

bugging her also. 

 

And then, , well, eventually she became also a professional musician. She’s a 

composer. 

 

So it’s pretty much,  in the family. 

 

Eric Nyland

Wow, it's incredible.  And, and now that you've, you know, obviously you've now had your form of training many years ago and you've been working for, for 

decades as a professional musician, as a pianist. 

 

 What now motivates you as a musician. 

 

Michel Fournier

 

▪ ▪  I would say learning, learning ▪  as a musician as organized, I like to learn new repertoire, like ▪ ▪  knowing new music. 

 

Like for, for example, a few weeks ago, a violinist asked me  for doing a recital and there was a piece by Josh in a school  ▪ ▪ like impressions of childhood, 

which is really difficult for the piano. 

 

So I look at the score and I said,  no,  I can't do this, you know, it's too much 

work and everything. 

 

So I slept on that. And then I said,  I might have a second look at the music. 

 

So I looked at the music and then, ▪ okay, let's challenge myself. I like to learn, so learn it. 

 

So I learned it. ▪ So the process of learning is  is really a big motivation. 

 

The challenge of sharing the music with the people, ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ which, ▪ which I like very much. 

 

And ▪ ▪ also I like to take a repertoire that I have played for decades. 

 

Like since my twenties ▪ and find a new perspective, a new way of approaching the work, discovering things that I didn't notice before. 

 

And I said, wow, I played this ▪ the in such and such way, but now I see it 

different. 

 

▪ So I relate all this to the process of learning and perhaps, I don't know, 

evolution. 

 

Eric Nyland

 

▪ Wonderful. That's great. So,  as  as a professional musician who embodies 

this sense of lifelong learning, hopefully, we're all striving for  what is it about 

teaching that invigorates you the most? 

 

What is it that you enjoy most about, about teaching? 

 

Michel Fournier

 

▪  ▪ It's really  when I, when I'm teaching,  well, first I think  for me, teaching is above all artistic activities that I do professionally. 

 

 It's the thing, the thing that I think is the most rewarding for me ▪ and what I 

like is  when I see the face of a student light up when ▪ the student realized 

that he couldn't do something and then suddenly he can do it. 

 

This is the biggest reward.  And  I like to, to work  really of course, with a long-term perspective with the students that, that I have on the long term. 

 

But my goal is always that okay, after half an hour or after 45 minutes or after one hour, I want to make a difference. 

 

So it's important to me that something will have changed and that I will have 

make a difference about something, , for a student. 

 

And, , you know, over the years, ▪ , I acculated knowledge and musical experiences and for me, ▪ the most important thing is to transmit, to give back, to the next generation or to whoever takes lesson, you can't, not just have knowledge and experience and keep it for yourself. 

 

Eric Nyland

 

Fabulous. , and so if you have a student who is, who's been working in or, or if you're meeting another student and  and they're telling you, you know what 

I'm so inspired by the work I'm doing at the piano, that or whatever instrent  

that I want to become a professional. 

 

▪ What advice would you offer them? 

 

Michel Fournier

▪ ▪ ▪  The princess, the main advice would be work  discipline ▪ ▪  in French riga, can you say rigor? 

 

▪ ▪ Yeah. These three things are so important and persistence also. 

 

▪  like sometimes things go well and sometimes it's more difficult but in difficult moments, you have to keep the faith, the passion and the love of music. 

 

And ▪ ▪  you know, life is not easy by definition, but it can be fun if you decide 

that  this is what you want. 

 

So  don't take no for an answer ▪ or something that doesn't work then okay. 

 

It didn't work but don't abandon. Say okay, what did I, why did it not work? 

 

Is it for such and such reason ▪ or whatever? 

 

So, so I think persistence work and of course, passion and love of music. 

 

And if one person, one artist wants to do this, ▪  ▪ I think it will happen ▪ ▪  in 

whatever field as soloist, as a teacher, as a musician in the community. 

 

But like professionally, I would say the most important is the work, the rigor ▪ 

and the persistence. 

 

Eric Nyland

 

▪ ▪ That's, that's excellent. ▪ I find that deeply inspiring myself. ▪ ▪ ▪ Great. 

 

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much Michelle for, for answering these few questions. 

 

I know we have a lot of students in Calgary who know you already from now 

performing arts festival. 

 

You adjudicated me in Beethoven's first piano concerto before I played it with an orchestra eventually. 

 

And your advice was so helpful to me as a, as a musician. 

 

So well, this is a great move forward to this smer with you and thank you for 

sharing your wisdom here today.

 

Michel Fournier

 

Okay. Well, thanks to you and I'm really looking forward to work with all of 

you and to work with the students. ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ 

 

Cassa student Chanan Ngo and Supervisor Riley Ngo win C3!

Cassa is thrilled to announce that Chanan Ngo and Riley Ngo just won the prestigious C3 competition! Both Chanan and Riley have attended Cassa for many years, and Riley is now a Piano Program Supervisor. Chanan and Riley will play with the Calgary Civic Orchestra in May! Many congratulations to Chanan and Riley for this significant accomplishment! For more details, and to buy tickets when they are available, please use the following link: https://www.calgarycivicsymphony.ca/event-4456365

Many thanks to our generous donors!

Our sponsors and supporters have been a major part of Cassa’s success over the years.

We couldn’t have done it without you. Your support of Cassa and the local arts community has been amazing.

Thank you to everyone!

We would like to thank the donors for supporting the Dorothea Johanson Memorial Scholarship for the most improved piano student.

Thank you to Steinway Piano Gallery Calgary and Michael Lipnicki Fine Pianos Ltd. for the use of their pianos and keyboards - especially on such short notice.

Thank you to The Jules Foundation for supporting Cassa this year.

Thank you to Harmony Music School, who provided a home for our office for nearly 10 years.

Thank you to ATB Financial and Benevity for their matching donations.

Thank you to ARMTA Provincial and ARMTA Calgary Branch for the support of our students.

Thank you to the Harry and Martha Cohen Foundation, Edelweiss Imports and Bell Family Foundation for their continued support year after year.

We are also extremely grateful for the Government of Alberta, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commision, without whom our programs in the performing arts would simply not be possible.

Gala ($50,000 and up)

Steinway Piano Gallery Calgary (gift in kind-pianos and digital keyboards)

Bravo ($25,000-$49,999)

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission

Celebration ($10,000-$24,999)

Michael Lipnicki Fine Pianos Ltd (gift in kind-pianos and digital keyboards)

Festival ($5,000-$9,999)

Government of Alberta - Alberta Foundation for the Arts Bell Family Foundation - Dr. Laura Bell

The Jules Foundation

Production ($2,500-$4,999)

Alberta School of Music (gift in kind-office space)

Benevity

St. Vladimir’s Cultural Centre (gift in kind-facility rental)

Concert ($1,000-$2,499)

ATB Financial

Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association -

Calgary Branch

Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association -

Provincial

Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation Michelle A. Rico Professional Corporation Shelley Foo

Murray A. Seminuk Piano Services

Revue ($750-$999)

Donations are welcome

Drama ($500-$749)

Vern Kimball

Recital ($250-$499)

Edelweiss Imports Ltd. (gift in kind-Reception refreshments)

Donna Jeschke

Matinee ($100-$249)

Music Coterie – Piano Workshop

Janice Dahlberg Caroline Moore Tim Chan

Dress Rehearsal ($10 to $99)

Darcy van Helden 

Linda Kundert 

Elena Norkina 

Derek Stoll 

Lynne Dalcin

Richard and Patricia Wanner

Marissa Staddon Memorial Scholarship Fund

Marissa Staddon Memorial Scholarship Fund, through Cassa Musical Arts, will award a $100 scholarship to the most outstanding Cassa Piano student each year.

Dorothea Johanson Memorial Fund

Dorothea Johanson was an enthusiastic supporter of Cassa’s summer programs. She was first a volunteer at Cassa Piano (formerly Piano Camp), then joined the teaching staff and became an active member

of the Cassa Board of Directors. In her honour, a scholarship(s) will be awarded to the most improved Cassa Piano student(s) each year.

Alumni Fund

The Alumni Fund, created in support of Cassa Musical Arts, ensures our continued growth and development based on the values of our Mission Statement.

Donations made towards this fund are used to cover costs of: guest clinicians, alumni concerts, scholarships, bursaries and direct program costs.

ARMTA Recognition Fund

This award recognizes exceptional Cassa students who, in the opinion of the instructors, show outstanding promise and dedication to success and currently study with an ARMTA member. The awards total $500.

DONATIONS welcome; charitable receipts are available. Donations may be accepted in person by a Board Member, online at www.cassamusicalarts.com through CanadaHelps, or by mail:

Make cheques payable to 

Cassa

Send to: Cassa Musical Arts 10 Mt. Apex Green SE Calgary AB T1Z 2V2

The list of donors was last updated on June 30, 2021. Donations given after July 1st will appear on next year’s programs. We apologize for any errors or omissions; please contact us if your donation has been overlooked.

Cassa 2021 Scholarship winners announced!

Hi Everyone, the official list is here - the 2021 Cassa Scholarship winners. Congratulations to all of these exceptional students!

Jocelyn Zhou - Marissa Station Memorial Scholarship
Casper Parry - Dorothea Johanson Scholarship

ARMTA Scholarships
Kaslyn Chan
Chanan Ngo
Mark Rico Lam
Ian Wong

Cassa moving online for summer of 2020: all on-site 2020 programming cancelled

Hello Everyone,

The difficult decision to close Cassa on-site programs for the summer of 2020 has been made. After the Stampede was cancelled, the city summer camps were cancelled, and the ruling that we can have no more than 15 people at an event until August 31st…the decision was basically made for us. This is our official announcement.

The Cassa board members and admin are working hard to apply for grants and are looking for government options for help. We will pilot some online courses this summer, so that is exciting. Our interdisciplinary programs will include: Pedagogy, Piano Masterclass, Jazz Piano, Piano, Musical Theatre, Songwriting, Playwriting/Creative Writing for two age groups and Business of the Arts. 

Personally, I have to say that it must have been difficult for the Stampede to make that decision after 128 years or so, but I found this no less difficult, after 27.

Here’s to 2020 and to what becomes the new Cassa! 

Sincerely,
Linda

An updated covid-19 message from Cassa Artistic Advisor, Janice Dahlberg

Dear Cassa Friends, We find ourselves in uncertain times due to COVID-19 and the changes rapidly happening in Canada. I share with you some thoughts about local Cassa summer programs and steps we are taking to assure the ongoing focus of our organization with our commitment to bringing events in musical arts enrichment to the community. We thank you for your past participation and send our best wishes to you for your good health and survival in these times of social distancing and isolation.

The Early Bird deadline has been extended from May 15 until June 15. Our mission and values are in alignment for summer 2020 with those imposed by Health Canada. Alternative online methods to reach you are underway as we explore creative possibilities and approaches. Please refer to the new web site for the most up to date information: www.cassamusicalarts.com.

Challenging times are here for all arts groups. We look forward to welcoming you to the traditional Cassa programs in virtual time. Change is necessary, but trust that it will be innovative thanks to our multi-talented team of instructors and administrators. Your support is vital to continuing Cassa summer sounds.

Sincerely yours,

Janice Dahlberg, Artistic Advisor

Covid-19: a message from Cassa President Linda Kundert

Hello Cassa Friends,

We are now in the middle of dealing with the reality of Covid-19, and everyone has been social distancing and doing their part. We, at Cassa, would like to express our concerns for you, and our best wishes to you, for continued good health while you handle your particular situation in your own way.

At the moment, we are waiting to see how these circumstances unfold. We have moved our early bird deadline to June 15th instead of May 15th, and we will make a decision in early June as to whether we go ahead with summer programs as we know them, or not.

In the meantime, we are working on some online offerings, so stay tuned for some wonderful opportunities with Cassa. We are committed to our ethical and high-level quality programming as we make the leap. We continue to support our participants and contractors, and we are concerned about you.

“Consider that your work through music awakens and stimulates the three greatest attributes of humankind — emotion, curiosity, and imagination — all the while opening the door to a sublime realm of beauty and a higher purpose for humanity.” (Peter Simon, President of the Royal Conservatory of Music)

The following is an article about the benefits of studying music, for your continued inspiration, and anticipation of a renewed future.

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/your-brain-will-thank-you-for-being-a-musician/

Yours Truly,

Linda Kundert

Cassa President & Artistic Director

PS Enjoy our newsletter here…

Save the date - Recital Announcement - Taryn Platter

Early Recital Announcement: Sweeter than Roses

On Friday May 22nd at 8pm, join us for a delightfully sweet recital in the beautiful setting of Hycroft Manor. The program, ranging from opera excerpts to newly composed songs, will be performed by three singers (Emma Jang, Nicole Koh, and Taryn Plater) with piano (Derek Stanyer), and harp (Hayley Farenholtz).

Stay tuned - tickets go on sale in late March!

2020 Cassa recital confirmed! Dr. Christopher Hahn plays the Waldstein!

July 19, 7 pm, St. Vladimir’s Cultural Centre. Buy tickets here.

Family (up to 7 people): $50

Adults: $20

Students and seniors: $15

Cassa is thrilled to announce that our annual recital will feature Dr. Christopher Hahn playing Beethoven’s magnificent Waldstein Sonata, as well as Louie’s I Leap Through the Sky with Stars. Cassa instructors will also be performing - TBA.

Tickets may be purchased at the door, or on our registration page here.

Cassa Grad Taryn Platter starring at UBC!

Taryn Platter is a former Cassa camper and assistant who is now doing remarkable things in UBC’s production of Mieczysław Weinberg’s Pasazerka (The Passenger). See a live recording here: https://nexuswebcast.mediasite.com/Mediasite/Play/4192c0e954474ee1a70125942e433f661d