In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, host Alaina Viau is joined by Siobhan Richardson, a fight and intimacy director, actor, singer, fighter, and dancer. Siobhan shares her experience and expertise in the opera and music theatre worlds, and they discuss the nuances of consent, compliance, and challenges of navigating the power dynamics of co-creation. Timestamps: [00:01:04] Work-life balance struggle. [00:04:18] Work friendships and social boundaries. [00:06:51] Coordinator o...
Dec 12, 2023•54 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, host Alaina Viau is joined by Alex Hajek, Canadian baritone, co-producer of Opera Revue. Alex shares his experience with Opera Revue, which has sold out shows, diverse audience members across generations, and is opening doors to new perspectives within the opera industry. Discover how their unique approach has been successful and why people are craving more of these alternative expressions. The traditional opera model is being challenged b...
Dec 05, 2023•50 min•Ep. 10
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, host Alaina Viau is joined by Daevyd Pepper, a singer, trailblazer, administrator, and spiritualist. They dive into ways to embrace your woo-woo as an opera artist and getting comfortable with your inner world through meditation, self-talk, and neuroscience. The conversation is mystical and practical for creating one's own reality and shifting perceptions in order to navigate concepts of reality. Timestamps: [00:02:14] The power of screami...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 11
Valerie Dueck (classical pianist, teacher, vocal coach) has moved at least 25 times in the past 20 years. She’s lived in the Czech Republic, Austria, Norway, Kazakhstan, and most recently in Switzerland. Now based in Ottawa, Valerie provides a unique perspective on Canada’s place in the global arts and culture scene. Timestamps: [00:02:05] Relearning how to be social. [00:04:19] Bernadette, the traveling piano. [00:09:45] Opera's struggle in Ottawa. [00:13:37] Funding challenges in music educati...
Sep 19, 2023•49 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, Alaina Viau and baritone Peter Bass discuss their shared belief about the mind-body connection within the context of opera. They both acknowledge that opera is not just about what happens on stage but encompasses the entirety of a performer's life and well-being. Timestamps: [00:02:22] Singer's multiple interests and projects. [00:04:07] Osteopathy and psychotherapy integration. [00:08:43] Early undergrads and performance anxiety. [00:14:4...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, Alaina Viau chats with Kristine Dandavino, a multi-talented musician, mezzo-soprano, pianist, vocal coach, director, conductor, mentor, teacher, and composer. They discuss the importance of recognizing singers as musicians and the multifaceted nature of their work. Kristine emphasizes the need to break away from the pigeonholing of singers and embrace the full range of their abilities. Timestamps: [00:03:30] Nothing is ever permanent. [00:...
Aug 22, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, Alaina Viau and Karen Choi explore the multifaceted nature of marketing, emphasizing that it goes beyond simply disseminating a message. Karen Choi is a performing arts marketer who also coaches musicians and creatives to lead with authenticity. They highlight the significance of actively listening and responding to the needs and desires of the community, as well as the artists and leadership within the organization. Timestamps: [00:02:07]...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 6
In this episode, Alaina Viau, founder of Loose Tea Music Theatre, speaks with Maureen Batt, a soprano and producer, about paving their own way in the industry and living with ADHD. They discuss the misconception that success in the opera world requires being in a major city, as well as the unique challenges and perspectives that come with ADHD. Join them as they dive into a candid and insightful conversation about breaking barriers and creating change in the opera community. Timestamps: [00:03:2...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 5
This episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast is a conversation between Alaina Viau, founder of Loose Tea Music Theatre, and Saman Shahi, Canadian composer, conductor, and pianist. You might not like the answer they have for "How to better manage money, energy, and expectations." Through their combined experience, they delve into the importance of giving oneself time to breathe, process, and learn, acknowledging that not everything happens instantly or as expected. They also highlight the...
Jul 11, 2023•56 min•Ep. 4
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, Alaina Viau (founder of Loose Tea Music Theatre) and soprano Jonelle Sills talk about building trust with community and creating a safe and inclusive space for engagement. Are younger audiences more interested in how art can positively impact people and bring about change in their hearts and minds? Observations show they're particularly drawn to the social work and social justice aspects of classical music, wanting to understand how it aff...
Jun 27, 2023•52 min•Ep. 3
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, long time friends and artists who wear many hats, Alaina Viau and guest Mark Wilkinson talk about the multidisciplinary landscape of opera today. How do we as a community support each other as many of us pursue different pictures of fulfillment than what we were taught? Timestamps: [00:01:57] Embracing a label-free identity. [00:05:04] Coffee and addiction culture. [00:09:37] The challenge of arts reviews. [00:13:45] Traditional versus exp...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 2
In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, Alaina Viau (founder of Loose Tea Music Theatre) tackles the topic of burnout and the importance of rest with Ian Cusson, a talented composer of art song, opera, and orchestral works. Ian's work explores the Canadian Indigenous experience, delving into the history of Métis people, the hybridity of mixed racial identity, and the intersection of Western and Indigenous cultures. They discuss what productivity truly looks like and how we can o...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1
May 23, 2023•8 min0
