What's Your Forte? – Details, episodes & analysis

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What's Your Forte?

Bandology

Music

Frequency: 1 episode/36d. Total Eps: 48

Join us to hear musicians, conductors, composers, teachers, students and community members talk about their experiences with music and their views on the power of music education in our What's Your Forte interview series. Bandology is a proud Canadian non-profit dedicated to more music for more kids, via education, collaboration and community. Find out more about us at bandology.ca.

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Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
12/06/2025
#96
🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
11/06/2025
#68
🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
10/06/2025
#55
🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
09/06/2025
#24

Spotify

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https://bandology.ca/
59 shares
https://www.bandroompod.com
2 shares
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyler-Shaw-Photoshoot-Cover.jpg
1 share

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Score global : 63%

Publication history

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Arts-Based Research And the Value of Music Education with Mason Micevski

Season 5

Monday, January 13, 2025 • Duration 09:35

Today, we’re speaking with Laurier alum Mason Micevski on the importance of arts education, getting a Masters degree and the value of community. Mason Micevski is a recent graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Masters in Community Music. Apart from his studies, he is a professional musical theatre performer, playwright and the Creative Director of Emerson Arts in Hamilton, Ontario. Mason has danced with the National Ballet. and performed on stages from Niagara to Belleville. He is also the creator of the best selling book ‘The Stage Light Flickers.’ Facebook: facebook.com/BandologyCA Instagram: instagram.com/bandologyca TikTok: tiktok.com/@bandologyca Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0AdF8rn... YouTube: / @bandologyca #SpotifyPodcast #ApplePodcast #YouTubePodcast #MusicPodcast #MusicInterview #MusicianInterview #Interview #Podcast #MusicMajor #PostSecondary #UniversityLife #MusicEd #MusicEducation

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Olivia Vaughan On Double Majoring in English and Music! What's Your Forte - Season 5

Season 5 · Episode 4

Monday, November 4, 2024 • Duration 11:22

It’s time for another episode of What’s Your Forte!

Today, Tamara Djuknic speaks with Olivia Vaughan, a graduate of Western University’s Bachelor of Arts program, double majoring in English and Music. Olivia provides useful insights for students who are passionate about music but may not want a career in it. And you won’t want to miss her tips on dealing with the workload of being a double major!

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Manar Naeem and the Joys of Physics and Music | Episode 39

Season 4 · Episode 12

Friday, October 28, 2022 • Duration 19:09

This week, Kathryn talks to oudist and quantum computing student Manar Naeem about her earliest experiences in music, favourite career moments and the importance of music education. Listen now or watch on YouTube or Facebook!

Manar Naeem is a self-taught, Syrian-born oudist. She graduated with a physics degree with math and computer science minors from Wilfrid Laurier University, and is now pursuing her Master's degree in Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. Manar performs with the Canadian Arabic Orchestra, and works as an oud teacher for children and adults at the Canadian Arabic Conservatory of Music. In 2020, she was the first oudist to be featured in CBC's 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30 list. Manar has performed across Canada and experienced first-hand how music is a global language of love that can bring different cultures and communities together.

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Colin Clarke on Forging His Own Career and Magical Musical Moments | Episode 38

Season 4 · Episode 11

Saturday, October 22, 2022 • Duration 46:51

Conductor Colin Clarke joins us this week on What’s Your Forte, out now on YouTube, Facebook and wherever you get your podcasts!

A sought-after clinician and adjudicator, Colin is best known for his work with the multi-award winning Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra. Having started the ensemble as a high school student, today TWYO enjoys a reputation nationwide as one of the leading performance ensembles of its kind in Canada. Under Colin’s baton, it has performed internationally, including at Carnegie Hall. This summer, they performed a concert with the National Youth Band of Canada.

Colin is the newly-appointed Artistic Director of the Oscar Peterson Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music. As the Music Director of the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra, his ensemble uses the same facility as our Band Camps!

Photo by Stuart Lowe/Royal Conservatory of Music.

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Music Education Careers Panel | Episode 37

Season 4 · Episode 10

Friday, October 14, 2022 • Duration 50:16

This special episode of What's Your Forte? is a group interview on the many ways to work in the music industry! Our guests today are at different stages of their music careers, and talk about their winding paths towards what they do, a typical day at work and the most exciting (and most challenging) aspects of their work.

Meet our panelists:

Michael Yates (he/him) is a dedicated educator who has worked for the Halton District School for the past nine years. He designed and implemented an instrumental music program built around high standards, engagement and student excellence. Michael's musical journey began at Mohawk College where he completed a three-year diploma in jazz performance. In 2011, he obtained his Honours Bachelors of Music from McMaster University and completed his B.Ed. at Nipissing University in 2013. Michael is currently teaching Grade 6/7/8 instrumental music at Pilgrim Wood Public School, and is also a steady gigging musician in the GTHA.

Shana Bates (she/her) and her husband own KAOS Music Lesson Studios, a community-centric music school located in southeast Oakville. Shana started her working career with IBM but quickly moved into the world of recording studios where she and a previous partner created, developed and ran one of the city's most successful independent recording studios. Shana went on to work in the event production business. Shana now spends her days and nights as a full time mom and business owner. She is a community go-getter and can often be found volunteering at schools and working at various events in the community.

Ryan MacKinnon (he/him) is the Camp and Workshop Coordinator with Bandology, an Oakville-based music non-profit, and teaches privately and with the Burlington Teen Tour Band. Ryan started playing guitar at eight years old and switched over to drum kit when he was 10. Upon entering high school he found a new love in playing classical percussion instruments and completed a Bachelor of Music in Self-Directed Performance at Wilfrid Laurier University. He has played with the Guelph Symphony Orchestra, Stratford Symphony Orchestra and Grand Philharmonic Choir. Ryan loves to share all the things that he has learned on his journey to help young musicians excel.

Dr. Draw Talks Busking and Pushing Boundaries | Episode 36

Season 4 · Episode 9

Friday, September 30, 2022 • Duration 20:12

Our newest interview is out! This week, Lucas talks to Dr. Draw about his busking origins, the music that moves him and what some of his favourite performances are. Watch now or listen to What’s Your Forte on your favourite podcasting platform!

Dr. Draw is the stage name of Moscow-born and Israel-raised electric violinist Eugene Draw. After moving to Canada with his family in 1992, Dr. Draw learned his craft busking on the streets of Toronto. For more than two decades, he has regularly performed internationally, including at the World Trade Center 9/11 memorial, the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Sovereign Art Foundation’s Art Fund in Hong Kong. Dr. Draw has also opened for many artists including John Legend, Mariah Carey and Drake.

Dr. Draw recently composed a song for Canada’s National Ballet School’s country-wide initiative Sharing Dance. He has assisted in the scoring of several independent films and for projects including the BBC documentary ‘Death on the I-95’ about the U.S. opioid crisis.

In 2022 Dr. Draw is releasing two more albums including a debut album for his project Nemesis, with Canadian beatboxing champion Scott Jackson, featuring sound ranging from Middle Eastern-influenced folk music to old school hip hop to Mongolian chant. They performed at Parliament Hill for the Canada 150 celebrations, at the Montreal Grand Prix and for the half-time show at the Toronto Raptors’ infamous Game 7 buzzer-beater in 2019.

#Bandology #TalentedMusicians #YoutubeMusic #FacebookLive #MusicPodcast #TorontoMusic #CanadianMusic #Podcast ##electricviolin

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Rachel Campbell Talks Celtic Punk and Finding a Safe Space in Music | What's Your Forte? Ep. 35

Season 4 · Episode 8

Friday, September 23, 2022 • Duration 22:11

On this week's episode of What's Your Forte, Kathryn talks to guest Rachel Campbell about her life growing up around music, why she loves playing in so many different genres and the importance of putting yourself out there. Rachel is a musician from Alexandria, ON, who plays a variety of instruments including the harp, violin, piano, mandolin, voice and guitar. She plays in bands that range from celtic punk to classical as well as performing solo as an indie folk-rock artist. Rachel has performed in venues all over, ranging from Montreal to Toronto, and she teaches music in a local music school. She also collaborates with musicians around the world, co-writing and recording songs. With a deep love for music, she’s always happy to share any of her experiences in the music field, as well as learn from others. #Bandology #Podcast #WhatsYourForte

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Tyler Shaw Talks Songwriting, Tour Routines and Why Music Ed Matters | What's Your Forte? Ep. 34

Season 4 · Episode 5

Monday, September 19, 2022 • Duration 11:30

Today we are incredibly excited to be releasing an interview with Tyler Shaw for the latest episode of What’s Your Forte! This week, Tyler chats to Lucas about his tour routines, songwriting process and favourite concerts. Check it out on YouTube and Facebook (link in stories)!

Tyler Shaw is a multi-Platinum-selling artist, producer, and actor. The Chinese-Canadian musician from Vancouver released his hit song “Kiss Goodnight” in 2012, quickly hitting Platinum sales. In 2014, Tyler earned a JUNO Award nomination for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ and released certified Platinum track “House of Cards” and Gold “Wicked” from his 2015 debut album Yesterday.

Tyler’s breakout hit “With You,” from his 2018 sophomore album, Intuition, reached Double Platinum status, and he was nominated for a JUNO Award for ‘Pop Album of the Year’ in 2019. Shaw has opened for massive international artists, including Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara, and toured with Selena Gomez. In 2021, Tyler spearheaded (with Fefe Dobson) the collective artist initiative ArtistsCAN to raise funds for COVID-19 relief in Canada. The pair gathered other musicians from across the country, including Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé and Marie-Mai, to cover the classic single “Lean On Me,” with proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross COVID relief fund. Tyler’s eponymous third studio album was released in 2021 and features the top 10 hit pop single “I See You.”

Most recently, Tyler released his viral rendition of GAYLE’s No. 1 hit “abcdefu.” “Love You Still” (abcdefu Romantic Version), started as a TikTok duet in late January. To date there are over 4 billion views of videos with the audio on TikTok, 14.5 million streams and more than 1 million videos created using the song.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyler-Shaw-Photoshoot-Cover.jpg

Mwik10, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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Sarah Hagan on Artist Relations, Networking and Missing Live Music | Episode 33

Season 4 · Episode 6

Monday, September 12, 2022 • Duration 20:53

What’s Your Forte returns after a one-week break! This week’s guest is Sarah Hagan, a music industry consultant and artists relations expert with 20 years of experience. She talks about her career, the joy of live music returning and gives advice on how to break into the industry. Sarah started drumming at ten years old and began teaching drum lessons at the age of sixteen, continuing over the years as a way to fund her way through college. She completed a double-major in English and Criminal Justice, and was on her way to law school for an Entertainment Law degree when she was offered her first job in the music business. Sarah spent sixteen years at the Zildjian Company in the Artist Relations department, and also on the R&D team and product development teams, ending her time there as Director of Artist Relations for Zildjian and Vic Firth. Currently, Sarah hosts a music industry podcast called Sarah Hagan Backstage, holds the position of First Vice President and Treasurer for the Percussive Arts Society Executive Board, and is on the Board of Directors for Hit Like A Girl. Through her business, Sarah Hagan Media and Consulting, she provides marketing and artist relations consulting for multiple music industry brands including Gruv-X Percussion and Musora Media, who own Drumeo and Pianote.

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Karen Donnelly on Touring Canada, Staying Healthy and Nurturing the Next Gen | Episode 31

Season 4 · Episode 4

Friday, August 19, 2022 • Duration 36:36

“The thing about music, there’s this nurturing of our souls.”

Karen Donnelly, principal trumpet for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, is our guest on What’s Your Forte this week! She and Kathryn talk about touring Canada, the moment she realized the depth to which music could impact you, the best gig she’s ever seen and some key advice for the next generation of players.

Karen Donnelly was unanimously appointed principal trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada in October 1999, following three successful seasons as acting principal trumpet, and continues to enjoy playing with this wonderful ensemble. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Karen started the trumpet in elementary school, which propelled her into a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Regina, followed by a Master of Music degree at McGill University. While freelancing in Montreal, she quickly became in demand, performing with many ensembles in the area including the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.

Karen has given master classes and workshops in Europe, China, the United States, the United Kingdom and coast-to-coast in Canada. She is part of the coaching team for both the trumpet section and chamber music for Canada’s National Youth Orchestra. In 2002, she joined the teaching staff at the University of Ottawa, and has been assisting with their Orkidstra program, inspired by Sistema, since 2009.

Most recently, Karen spearheaded the Canadian Women’s Brass Collective. This group of talented musicians presented concerts, master classes and lectures in Toronto during January 2019 over a five-day conference to great acclaim. During the pandemic, the collective curated an extensive series of online sessions to support musicians to create healthy and effective practice strategies.

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What's Your Forte? – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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What's Your Forte? – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

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