CASS Who’s Who - Where are they now?


Dear CASS former camper,

How are you and what are you doing? We thought it would be fun to create a CASS Alumni page on our web site CASS Who’s Who—Where are they now? Some of you have continued your education in the performing arts and others of you have become teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, parents, business people or professionals in unique 21st century endeavors. Please send us a brief statement about your current activities and, if you like, include a picture for posting.

If you wish to share a special memory from your days at CASS, the program(s) and year(s) you attended, or if your CASS experience impressed you in any way, please tell us about that, too.

Thank you, and best wishes.

Sincerely,

Janice Dahlberg, Dorothea Johanson & Linda Kundert-Stoll
on behalf of the CASSA Board of Directors

Email us and tell us what you are doing now.

Nadine Cirankewitch attended Musical Theatre Showtime (MTS) in 2004 and 2006. She has been the MTS Stage Manager since 2008. She has continued on in performing arts, attended Mount Royal University and got an Acting Diploma in 2007. She traveled for a year throughout India and New Zealand before deciding to go back to school. Nadine is currently at the University of Lethbridge completing her BFA/BEd degree. She will graduate in 2012 and is hoping to be a high school drama teacher when all is said and done.

CASSA had a huge influence on Nadine and still does to this day: “It made me realize how important drama can be to students; it gives them a place to be creative and a place to be yourself. Every year that I come back to help I get more and more excited to be a drama teacher and give the children that I teach the same great experiences that I had while attending CASSA.”

Sarah Davis, former piano camper from 1998 to 2003, recently visited Graz, Austria, and was in Salzburg for a tour of Mozart’s house. She said it was quite a thrill and brought back many fond memories of playing Mozart’s pieces.

Sarah finished her honours history degree at U of A this spring, wrapping it up with a two and a half month term in Cortona, Italy, where U of A has a satellite campus of about sixty students in an old monastery. Her undergraduate thesis was on “The War Measures Act in Canada.” She is currently touring Italy and will be going on to the Czech Republic and Lisbon, finally working her way over to Spain for a month to test her Spanish language communication skills.

Melinda Hadi was a CASSA camper in 1997 and 1998 while studying piano with Linda Kundert-Stoll and violin with Elaine Henchell. She fondly recalls the summers of sharing and making music. In 2005, Melinda graduated from Queen’s University with a BSc in Biochemistry and a BA in Global Development Studies. She was also fortunate to have the opportunity to play in the second violin section of Queen’s University Symphonic Orchestra.

In September 2010, Melinda is expecting to complete her MSc in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK. Melinda’s passion in international health issues has brought her to many diverse parts of the world including Guyana, Northern Canada, Zambia, and currently Kenya for her MSc dissertation. Throughout her work and travels, Melinda continuously looks to connect with others through music including recently taking some colleagues, who had never seen an orchestra before, to a London Philharmonic Orchestra Rachmaninoff concert. Just as it is a pleasure to share in someone’s first concert experience, Melinda remembers the thrill of bringing together a piano ensemble with the encouragement of CASSA staff and fellow campers.

Angela Schroeder was a CASSA participant in Year One of the program.

“I am currently an assistant professor and the Director of Bands at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB. I teach conducting to undergraduate and graduate students and conduct the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Summer Band and Academy Winds and Percussion ensembles. I completed my Masters degree in Wind Conducting in 2004 at Northwestern University in Chicago, and my Doctorate in Wind Conducting at the University of North Texas in 2007. I am very busy as an adjudicator and clinician for bands from across Canada and the U.S., and have guest conducted numerous ensembles across Western Canada.

My greatest accomplishments to date include marrying my husband Geoffrey (5 years in December) and having our son Joshua in January 2009. I love being a mom above all else and hope that my son will one day be able to make a living by working at his passion which I so enjoy doing every day.

What I remember most about my time at CASSA is working with Ingrid Clarfield and her infamous "bum" chords. Her passion for music and teaching really inspired me to pursue advanced music education, and working with her was perhaps the first time that I really understood the true nature of artistry and developing individual musical expression. I also remember fondly working on piano ensemble music with 3 incredible colleagues, and finding a lot of joy in music making that I won't forget.”

Jonathan Yung was a camper from 1996 to 2000 and then a Piano Camp Assistant from 2002 to 2006. As of spring 2010 he finished his last year of undergraduate studies in chemical engineering and graduated from the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. He will be starting his career as an engineer-in-training in June with an oil & gas exploration and production company called Apache Canada.

Over 2009-2010 year at school, Jonathan was involved with a student energy club call the Petroleum & Energy Society. He was appointed the VP Internal Relations for this club where his primary role was to help recruit and mentor students who are interested in starting a career in the energy industry. His goal was to help them develop a foundation of knowledge and build relations with key contacts from industry so the students can enter the workforce with the appropriate set of skills under their belt. Being in a mentorship role was not new to Jonathan as he gained experience in this area through his time working as an assistant teacher for the CASSA piano camp. Jonathan was also involved in an affiliated group called the Alberta Student Energy Conference Planning Committee in which he was the Program Chair for this event in March, 2010. Jonathan was successfully designed, implemented and executed the day and evening program for the one day conference.

Although Jonathan has been heavily involved in engineering related matters as of late, he still maintains his hobby of playing the piano. He is a member of a student club called Schulich Soundstage, which is composed mainly of engineering students who share musical talents. Jonathan performed at the club’s concerts. Jonathan is very proud to have been a part of CASSA and it is an experience that he truly values. He is happy to see that the organization has expanded in recent years and that an increasing number of students are receiving quality musical education through its programs.