PRESS RELEASE

Vegas-bound blind pianist and Vancouver Island’s Got Talent winner, Sky Mundell, will be performing at the Sky’s the Limit Benefit Concert, May 6th in Victoria, BC. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Canadian Federation of the Blind, a Victoria-based nonprofit organization.The evening will feature performances by pianist, Sky Mundell; national award-winning jazz guitarist,

Lucas Haneman; one of Canada’s exciting up-and-coming singer-songwriters, Kaya Fraser; singer and bass guitar player, Karen Kelpin; classical singers Kristen Birley and Stephanie Landucci; and the Vancouver Island Chamber Choir.

“Sky’s the Limit” will include an eclectic mix of music from rock to jazz to classical, from vocal to instrumental, with both blind and non-blind performers. “The concert will help us raise much-needed funds for the organization, and will provide the public with a positive perspective on blindness and the abilities of blind people,” says Elizabeth Lalonde, president of the Canadian Federation of the Blind.

When: Friday, May 6, 2011. 7PM – 9PM
Where: St. Aidan’s United Church, 3703 St. Aidan’s Street, Victoria, BC
Admission: By donation

Presented at the newly renovated sanctuary of St. Aiden’s United Church, the concert will include a silent auction and refreshments for purchase during intermission.

The Canadian Federation of the Blind is an organization of blind people committed to the equality and empowerment of blind Canadians. Through advocacy, public education and mentoring, members promote a positive perspective on blindness, together gain confidence and skills and work to change what it means to be blind.

To interview Elizabeth Lalonde, or cover a short performance by one of our musicians, please contact us.

Canadian Federation of the Blind
Phone: 250-598-7154
Toll Free: 1-800-619-8789
Email: info@cfb.ca
Website: www.cfb.ca
P.O. BOX 8007, VICTORIA, BC V8W 3R7

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Sky Mundell, who is 20 years old, recently opened for Grammy Award winner Michael Bolton, and will soon be travelling to Vegas to perform at Planet Hollywood as part of V: The Ultimate Variety Show. Sky beat 84 other competitors to win the 2010 Vancouver Island’s Got Talent contest.

Mundell, who is deaf blind and has cerebral palsy has only been playing the piano for about five years; he lends his extraordinary talent and unique twist to every song. Sky says his musical inspiration comes from other blind artists, such as the jazz pianist George Shearing.

Lucas Haneman has always possessed a natural and wide reaching talent for the guitar. Originally focusing on folk and blues, he began delving into genres such as jazz and original alternative rock as a teenager. At this time he performed in many national jazz bands and in 2005 received a CBC

Galaxy Rising star Award at the Ottawa International Jazz festival. Since then he has focused on creating and performing original music in various contexts.Now an accomplished musician in many genres, Haneman has attended Concordia University where he received the prestigious Oscar Peterson jazz scholarship, and in 2010 completed a Bachelors of Fine Arts with great distinction specializing in Jazz Studies.

Kaya Fraser’s music is strong, smart songwriting delivered by a gorgeous, natural voice-a simple combination that is all too rare. A Montrealer now living in Victoria, BC, Fraser has released two CDs.

The first was a seven-song EP in 2007 (Tremor and Slip) which startled critics with its maturity and polish, prompting comparisons to Feist, Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell. Open Horizon is the poised follow-up to the EP and was produced by acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Kim Deschamps (formerly of Blue Rodeo and the Cowboy Junkies) and features the musical talent of Paul Intson and Al Cross.

The Exclaim! review of the CD calls it “beautifully cohesive and promising, “praising “Fraser’s rich voice and her ability to create vivid moods within her songs.” It won’t take long for this album to inhabit you, and for Fraser to take her place among Canada’s best new singer-songwriters.

Kristen Birley has a Bachelor of Music degree (Vocal Performance, Music Education), a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of Victoria. Kristen has been teaching voice for ten years and has performed in voice, dance and theatre for over 20 years. Her voice achievements include solo and choral work at the local, provincial, national and international levels.

As a member of the University of Victoria Chamber Singers, PRIMA Choir, Vancouver Island Chamber Choir and Vox Humana, Kristen has performed in a variety of venues around Canada, the United States, Asia and Europe.

Karyn Kelpin, a self-taught bass player and singer songwriter, explores her creativity through her music. An I factor contestant of 2010, Karyn finds joy in exploring a variety of musical styles and genres. She uses her music as a form of self expression and allows for the pure organic creations to flow. All original all the time.

Stephanie Landucci recently completed the first year of a Masters program in Musicology with Vocal Performance at the University of Victoria. She has been a featured soloist with such noteworthy ensembles as the University of Victoria Lieder Singers, Philomela Women’s choir, the Victoria Choral Society, the University of Victoria Chorus and Orchestra and most recently, Victoria Choral Academia, under the direction of Teodora Georgieva-Gitberg. Stephanie studies voice in the studio of Susan Young.In addition to her love of vocal performance, Stephanie treasures her extensive theatrical experience. She is a founding member of Play With Your Food Dinner Theatre Company, and has been seen on stage with Four Seasons Musical Theatre, Masques Theatre Company, and the Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

The Vancouver Island Chamber Choir is one of Victoria’s newest auditioned chamber choirs. The choir last year has won BC’s Provincial Music Festival for “Class 100 – Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman – Best performance by a community choral group 19 and up” and is now beginning their third season.

The singers come from all walks of life and many members are alumni of the University of Victoria Chamber Singers and/or the Prima Youth Choir. The choir is directed this year by Mr. Wade Noble.