Workshop Leaders and Programmes 2023/24

Many thanks to our Program Director, Christine McClymont, who is planning an exciting program for 2023/24.

September 17 (note change of date):  Colin Savage. 'Refresh & Refocus'. We will reinvigorate our ensemble skills: listen to tuning, timing, and stylistic consistency, through a variety of Renaissance and Baroque repertoire.  

Colin Savage has been the principal clarinetist with the Mississauga Orchestra for over 30 years and excels on the recorder. He has toured Japan and played with Opera Atelier, Canadian Opera Company, Apollo’s Fire, Les Boréades, Tafelmusik and the Toronto Consort. Besides pursuing his photographic interests, Colin is an enthusiastic member of Ensemble Polaris, a Northern crossover band who play accordion, mandolin, Swedish pipes, recorders, bouzouki, musical saws, and more. They have made five recordings, and enjoy a successful concert life.

October 15: Tatsuki Shimoda       

Tatsuki Shimoda has been playing the recorder since a young age, coming from a musical family with whom he has explored music in various settings. Versatile in many styles from early music to avante-garde music, he has performed across Ontario, utilizing all recorder sizes. He has been awarded at various music festivals and earned his Performer’s ARCT for recorder in 2018. He completed his Bachelors of Music from the University of Toronto in 2022, with a minor in Mathematics. He continues to explore different musical styles as he works towards his Performer's ARCT for piano as well as apprenticing under the Japanese drumming group Nagata Shachu.                 

November 12:  Anne Massicotte    

Anne Massicotte graduated from the Conservatoire de Québec as a clarinetist. She played in the National Youth Orchestra, and toured with her quintet for Jeunesses Musicales. As an Orff specialist, she taught music for the Toronto District School Board for 30 years, and developed award-winning children’s choirs. She was a member of the CAMMAC Centre teaching staff for 35 years. As a recorder player, she was a founding member of the recorder quartet, ACTA. She sang with Amadeus and the Toronto Chamber Choir. She now teaches recorder and small groups privately.

December 17:  Hooman Tootoonchian. Introduction to Persian musical concepts, rhythms, ornaments and repertoire.

Hooman's musical journey began with the piano, and he soon discovered a passion for teaching. Embracing the Orff method, he joyfully shared music with children. Co-founding Rhythmitica, an online music academy, Hooman envisions using music as a bridge to unite cultures and create a harmonious world. With a diverse academic background and a love for Persian, baroque, and early music, he continuously enriches his expertise, leaving a profound impact on aspiring musicians and learners globally.

You can find more details through his profile: https://www.rhythmitica.com/music-instructor/Hooman-Tootoonchian

January 14:  Francis Colpron     

Recorder and traverso (flute) player Francis Colpron is recognized as one of the most talented musicians of his generation. In 1991, he founded the ensemble Les Boréades de Montréal and is still the Artistic Director. Touring extensively in Quebec and abroad, Francis and the ensemble explore the theatrical and musical worlds of the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing ancient practice to light while playing period instruments. A generous and enthusiastic teacher, Francis regularly leads TEMPO workshops and teaches at summer music camps such as Amherst in the U.S., CAMMAC in Québec and Boxwood in Nova Scotia.

February 11: Felix Deak     

March 10: David Fallis

David Fallis is one of Toronto’s best known and well-loved musicians, with a stellar reputation as an early music expert and choral conductor. He was the Artistic Director of the Toronto Chamber Choir for 25 years and a long-time singing member of the Toronto Consort. David is the Music Director for Opera Atelier, conducting two spectacular shows each year, and also conducts the MacMillan Singers and Choir 21. David teaches at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.  

I’m excited to say that David has agreed it would be fun to create a madrigal workshop that has instrumentalists accompanying singers – a first for TEMPO!

April 14: Robert Rivers. Bob hints that some of the new music he arranges for us might be Italian! 

Robert Rivers is a freelance musician based in Ancaster, Ontario. He has wide interests in music, including folk songs from Quebec and Newfoundland. Bob has been involved in music his whole life. His activities involved singing in choirs, playing in bands and orchestras in school, and, more recently, playing recorders. He has had experience in conducting choirs, bands, and recorder ensembles, namely Rosewood Consort in Hamilton, and Second Wind, a seniors’ ensemble which plays at the Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre. He also enjoys arranging pieces for recorders, using his best friend, Sibelius. He has also dabbled in some composing, mostly for choirs, but also for bands and, not surprisingly, recorder ensembles. His professional career involved teaching middle school, mostly mathematics and music. He holds a B.A. in music and psychology, and an M. Ed. in education administration.

May 12: TBA   

June 9: TEMPO Tea. Everyone is welcome to come to this annual event with concerts and refreshments!