LAB 001 // ARTISTS

Tommy Crane is a fixture in both the Montreal and New York creative music scenes. In recent

times he has performed and recorded with Aaron Parks’ Little Big, Melissa Aldana, Joe

Chambers, FYEAR, Half Waif, Joe Chambers, La Force, Richard Reed Parry, Unessential Oils, and

Martha Wainwright. His debut solo effort, We’re All Improvisers Now, covers a broad spectrum

of sonic territory using a relatively limited number of sound sources. Cascading walls of ambient synthesizers make the tracks seem huge, yet each cut still maintains the feeling of a solo musician exploring their inner self. The album was released on June 24th,2022, via the London-based jazz label Whirlwind Recordings.

Tracy Maurice is a multidisciplinary visual artist, creative director and filmmaker. Her work blends traditional analogue craftsmanship with modern digital technologies. Themes explore temporality, observation, motion, connection and our profound interrelationship with the natural world.

Her work has been shown at The Lincoln Center (New York) and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (Montréal), ANTI–Contemporary Art Festival (Helsinki), and the 11th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art (Berlin) in collaboration with live artists Dana Michel.

She has given talks at Berklee College of Music, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and HFBK University of Fine Arts Hamburg. She also taught filmmaking at the IDFA Film Academy at the University of California at Berkeley. She has been an artist-in-residence at RU (New York), and SÍM (Reykjavik). She is a former NY resident who lives and works in Montréal.

Marika Galea is an award-winning performer, composer and writer from Toronto. Best known as a bassist, her work explores the space between improvised jazz, narrative songwriting, and hypnotic soundscapes. She has supported artists across jazz, pop, rock, indie, hip hop, new music and experimental genres including Terence Blanchard, Cyrus Chestnut, Vincent Herring, Ralph Peterson Jr., Rachel Therrien, Jason Palmer, L’Orchestre national du jazz de Montréal, Basia Bulat, Tim Kingsbury (Arcade Fire), Aerialists, Jake Clemons (E Street Band), U.S. Girls and Laura Niquay. Her collaborations have garnered nominations and wins for JUNO, Golden Globe, Academy, Polaris, Iris, RIDM and HotDocs Awards. In 2017, she earned a spot as one of CBC Music’s 35 best Canadian jazz artists under 35. She has taught at McGill University, McGill Conservatory, and Berklee College of Music and is an Assistant Professor at Brandon University. She has been invited to speak at the McGill Executive Institute, Malta Jazz Festival, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, Prince Edward County Jazz Festival, McGill University School of Continuing Studies and University of Manitoba. She recognizes support for her work from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings.

Cellist Leanne Zacharias is an interdisciplinary artist who creates unique sound environments in tiny and large-scale public works within museums, art galleries, chimneys, stairwells, rowboats, canoes, skating trails and other unlikely sites. Her work has been presented by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, LandMarks2017, the International Cello Festival of Canada, Austin’s New Music Coop, Winnipeg Design Festival, Iceland’s Nes Residency, Open Ears Festival, SappyFest (NB), Sound Symposium (NFLD) and FastForwardAustin. From the National Arts Centre to the Andy Warhol Museum to Yukon Arts Centre, she performs across genres, including with the Australian Art Orchestra, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and songwriters John K. Samson, the Mountain Goats and her long-time collaborator, Christine Fellows. On faculty at Brandon University’s School of Music, she adjudicates across Canada. She has lectured at Parsons School of Design in New York, the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s 10x20x20 series, and Banff’s Research In Culture workshop. She co-directs Wheat City Nuit Blanche, A Wild Studio (Canadian National Parks) and Hybrid Intensive (San Francisco).

President & CEO Zohreh is a visionary thinker with over 10 years of experience devising and producing immersive projects in various sectors, including arts + entertainment, design, gaming, and hospitality. Zohreh has successfully managed and produced many projects as a multi-disciplina. In her most recent role as the Event Producer for D&D in a Castle (Tabletop Vacations Inc), she designed and managed immersive fantasy Dungeons and Dragons experiences in England.

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In addition to her work in event production, Zohreh is the Creative and former Executive Director of Polycoro, a non-profit arts startup. 

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Throughout her career, Zohreh has also been a Project Manager, Producer, and Curator for various creative initiatives and events. Notably, she created the Red Haus Live Concert Series, providing live music to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a keen eye for detail, she manages large-scale projects, coordinates teams, and builds strong relationships with clients, musicians, and artists.

Thom Gill (he/him) is a freelance musician with 20 years of experience based out of Toronto. Thom works closely with Martha Wainwright, Sam Amidon, KNOWER, Owen Pallett, Queer Songbook Orchestra, Bernice, Beverly Glenn Copeland, Toronto Dance Theatre, Fievel is Glauque and many more.

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He recently travelled to Japan with Sam Wilkes, co-writing songs and playing on Chaka Khan’s last record. He also played a piece by Pauline Oliveros inside Toronto City Hall Council Chambers.

Thom can be heard on new releases by Sam Wilkes, Jeremy Dutcher, and Joseph Shabason; he is also featured on Tanya Tagaq and Jean Martin’s score for Caroline Monnet’s film Bootlegger. You can also catch him on tour this year with Aline Homzy, Jeremy Dutcher, and Ariel Engle’s La Force. 

Ricardo Soriano has built a career as a copywriter, researcher, public relations advisor and strategist while consistently taking the role of creative director in various settings.  He’s worked closely with executives and marketing teams in political settings, advising on strategic next steps to create meaningful change. 

In several roles at the luxury vacation company D&D in a Castle, Ricardo re-strategized all marketing operations, directing photo and video shoots, establishing brand identity, and meticulously tailoring a new digital footprint. Additionally, he served as a talent manager, handling logistical operations for up to 20 individuals travelling internationally.

Driven by an unwavering passion for excellence, objective correctness and relevance in the digital age, Ricardo contributes incredible artistic considerations and unique strategic angles. He is also skilled in graphic design and possesses a keen eye for trend appraisal, with personal interests in fashion, photography, and contemporary art.

With a passion for creating memorable marketing campaigns, Aaron has worked in a diverse set of industries throughout his early career, such as fashion, beauty,  financial services, insurance and legal. He is highly skilled in copywriting, graphic design, website development, content creation and social media management. 

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During his early to high school years, he was largely involved in band, jazz band, classical choir, and jazz choir, thus peaking his interest in NEON VENUS. Having completed his Bachelor of Commerce (Hans) from the University of Manitoba, he is now completing his Masters of Business Administration from the same institution with concentrations in Marketing, and Leadership & Organizations.

Meet Chris, an exceptional Audio Production Specialist who brings a dynamic blend of technical expertise and creative finesse to every event. With a passion for crafting immersive experiences, Chris transforms ordinary gatherings into unforgettable spectacles by seamlessly integrating audio elements.

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Chris's journey in audiovisual production is marked by a commitment to excellence and a keen eye for detail. From conceptualization to execution, Chris has a proven track record of turning ideas into reality, consistently exceeding client expectations. With an in-depth understanding of the latest technologies, Chris designs setups that meet and surpass industry standards.

With a multi-faceted and distinct visual style, jaymez has worked in the visual art, dance, theatre and music communities. His video work has appeared in a number of international festivals and theatrical and dance productions, and he has performed live videos alongside dozens of local and international musicians and artists. jaymez recently premiered his new solo gallery exhibition, an installation/performance called prägnanz, at aceartinc in Winnipeg.  He currently sits on the board of Video Pool Media Arts Centre.  jaymez holds a BFA in Video from the University of Manitoba.

Ingrid is a graphic designer, visual artist, and writer who grew up in small-town Manitoba and has moved back to Winnipeg after living and studying in Hamilton and Montreal. They enjoy both film and digital photography as well as doing occasional multimedia projects and foraying into comics. Their work is grounded in research and expressed through storytelling across various mediums.

Dylan is a wildlife photographer and a recent graduate from Red River College's business administration program. Often travelling or in intimate nature settings, Dylan has developed a keen ability to capture the right micro-moment. Recently branching out into more candid, abstract, and sometimes monochromatic styles, Dylan has captured promotional footage for Neon Venus, which you can find on our gallery page. At LAB, Dylan will be weaving between shadows to reimagine small moments into frames of immersive feeling and beauty.

The biggest of its kind in Canada, the Winnipeg New Music Festival features outstanding guest artists performing world and Canadian premieres written by exciting up-and-coming composers. Come and expand your musical horizons, see stereotypes broken, and witness explosions of creativity.

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Get your tickets to spectacular concerts, stimulating panel discussions and engaging after-parties. Join artists, composers and conductors to celebrate music and provocatively build bridges into the unknown.

Since 1991, GroundSwell’s Artistic Directorate has been delighting and challenging its audiences with an eclectic combination of all that is good about new music. GroundSwell is dedicated to presenting contemporary music, featuring everything from inspiring interpretations of 20th-century classics to exciting fusions of visual art, theatre, dance, and the written word.

The Artistic Directorate is made up of Winnipeg composers Gordon Fitzell, Jim Hiscott, and Michael Matthews, with guest curators rotating yearly. Every season GroundSwell brings you exciting new worlds of contemporary performance, from local music to international works, and is proud to promote and explore the best of Canada’s diverse and vibrant new music scene.

Brandon Chamber Players presents a mixed chamber music series that reflects our long-term commitment to perform in various venues throughout our community (including some run-out performances to surrounding communities), with a strong representation of music from our time. What began as “Brandon’s own string orchestra” has since evolved to present an eclectic range of music, including contemporary classical (new) music and jazz, while still programming classical music from the Baroque period onwards. BCP has always commissioned new works from Manitoban and Canadian composers. Our current artistic plan includes a regular program of new works and a return to mounting concerts in less traditional venues. We will continue to provide opportunities for Brandon-based artists to challenge themselves through collaborations with significant guest artists, and we will also mount projects that include a component of professional development for emerging performers in our community.

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In short, our mission statement may be summarized as follows: The Brandon Chamber Players has been established to offer world-class music to the Westman region while providing performance and workshop opportunities for local musicians.