Andrew Balfour
Of Cree descent, Winnipeg based composer Andrew Balfour is an innovative composer/conductor/singer/sound designer with a large body of choral, instrumental, electro-acoustic and orchestral works, including; Take the
Indian (A Vocal reflection on Missing Children), Empire Étrange: The Death of Louis Riel, Migiis: A Whiteshell Soundscape, Bawajigaywin (Vision Quest), Gregorioʼs Nightmare, Wa Wa Tey Wak (Northern Lights), Fantasia on a Poem by Rumi, Missa Brevis and Medieval Inuit, Quamaniq, Manitou Sky-An orchestral tone poem. His new Indigenous Opera, Mishaboozʼs Realm was recently premiered in Montreal and Halliburton, Ontario, commissioned by LʼAtelier Lyrique de Opéra de Montréal and Highlands Opera Workshop. He has also been commissioned by the Winnipeg, Regina and Toronto Symphony Orchestras, Ensemble Caprice, Groundswell, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, the Winnipeg Singers, the Kingston Chamber Choir and Camerata Nova, among many others. His works have been performed and/or broadcast locally, nationally and internationally.
Andrew is also the founder and Artistic Director of the innovative, 14-member vocal group Camerata Nova, now in its 22nd year of offering a concert series in Winnipeg. With Camerata Nova, Andrew specializes in creating “concept concerts”, many with indigenous subject matter (Wa Wa Tey Wak (Northern Lights), Medieval Inuit, Chant!). These innovative offerings explore a theme through an eclectic array of music, including new works, arrangements and innovative inter-genre and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Andrew has become increasingly passionate about music education and outreach, particularly on northern reserves and inner city Winnipeg schools where he has worked on behalf of the National Arts Centre, Camerata Nova, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and various Winnipeg school divisions for the past eight years.
Andrew was Curator and Composer-in-Residence of the WSOʼs Indigenous Festivals in 2009 and 2010 and in 2007 received the Mayor of Winnipegʼs Making a Mark Award, sponsored by the Winnipeg Arts Council to recognize the most promising midcareer artist in the City. In 2017 he was awarded the Canadian Senate Gold Medal for artistic achievement.
Andrewʼs 2019-20 season includes commissions for Tafelmusik, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, The National Youth Choir, and a major work for Camerata Nova based on the life of Chief Poundmaker.
Dr. Timothy Pyper
Tim Pyper has studied the Alexander Technique for over a decade and qualified as aAmSAT-certified instructor in 2018. He completed his teacher training at the Balance Arts Center in New York City, following a three-year, 1600-hour program.
A graduate of the Eastman School of Music (BM, MM) and Cornell University (DMA), he has won first-prize in numerous national and international organ competitions, including the RCCO National Competition and the Arthur Poister Memorial Competition.
Tim maintains private teaching practices in New York City and in Albany. He is particularly interested in helping musicians unlock their virtuosity using the Alexander Technique as well as the Lister-Sink Method of keyboard pedagogy. He has given workshops for the RCCO, the AGO and at Freedom to Make Music conferences. Active as an organist and choral conductor, Tim is Director of Music at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Manhattan. From 2010 to 2015 he was Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in Calgary.