Karen Myatt enhanced the Swiss National Day celebration with a 75th Anniversary Music Pop Up

Scholarship alumna Karen Myatt accompanied by guitarist Georges Hébert performed last Sunday for the Swiss-Canadian community at their annual Swiss National Day celebration. 

We thank Beatrice Stutz owner of Le Caveau Restaurant at Grand Pré Wines and the Swiss Honorary Consul for Nova Scotia Dieter Gautschi for their openness to let us pop up. (smile)

Our Executive Director Jacqueline Steudler was able to introduce the Talent Trust and our scholarship program to the guests that gathered from all corners of Nova Scotia. 

Karen Myatt shared with us: 

“We are very happy to be part of the celebrations around the 75th anniversary of the Nova Scotia Talent Trust.  

It’s an expensive business to develop your skills as a performing artist, with high costs for travel, post-secondary education, and purchasing quality instruments.

For many young artists these costs can be a barrier to making the most of their talent.  

My scholarship from the Nova Scotia Talent Trust enabled me to study with Janice Jackson (another Talent Trust recipient) and then go on to attend the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. 

Georges was not eligible for a Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship, having grown up in New Brunswick, but through his own path to excellence he knows all too well how much help a young musician needs.” 

We're looking forward to Karen Myatt's next pop up end of August. Date and location will be announced soon. 

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In 2019, the Talent Trust is celebrating its 75th  anniversary featuring former scholarship recipients with a travelling art exhibition, pop-up events in theatre, music, and dance, film screenings and more.

The 75th anniversary activities are supported by the province of Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Municipality, The Craig Foundation, Canadian Federation of Musicians, and Margaret and David Fountain. 

Karen Myatt and Lukas Pearse Showcase at the Halifax Jazz Festival

Talent Trust alumni, vocalist Karen Myatt, and bassist/composer/sound editor/media artist, Lukas Pearse share their love of music in the upcoming Halifax Jazz Festival, performing their respective free concerts as part of the annual series. 

Karen Myatt sings

July 12, 1:15pm
Waterfront TD Main Stage Lower Water St. at Salter St. 

Karen Myatt is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC and was named one of Broadway’s Rising Stars in the Broadway Summer Series. Karen made her Symphony NS debut as the featured vocalist in the world premiere of Thorgy & the Thorchestra starring Thorgy Thor of Ru Paul's Drag Race fame. Karen's debut album Enchanté was recorded at Sonic Temple Studio in Halifax. 

Lukas Pearse hosts 

Upstream Music Association’s
Open Company; Free Improvisation 

July 10 -13 

10pm nightly
Art Bar +Projects –
1873 Granville St (in Granville Square)

Open Company is a curated improvisation session where exceptional musicians meet onstage. Hosted by Upstream’s Lukas Pearse, offering a meeting between local and visiting improvisors, followed by a sit-in session that is anything but Standards. Come on in, the water’s fine... Expect the unexpected.

Lukas Pearse is an award-winning film composer and member of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, Lukas is an acoustic, electric and digital musician and sound artist with professional experience in a wide array of genres and creative forms.

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotia artists? Donate today! (smile)

Karen Myatt in holiday cabaret All I Really Want December 20 in Halifax

Karen Myatt. Photo by Michèle
Parent of Chèle Foto Couture.

Karen Myatt and Stuart Hiseler are featured the Wild Abandon Productions annual holiday cabaret All I Really Want on Thursday, December 20, at Sniggly Wiggily’s in Halifax. 

Karen received voice scholarships from the Talent Trust to assist with her studies. She attended the Randolph Academy in Toronto, and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Earlier this year she made her debut with Symphony Nova Scotia in the summer show Thorgy and the Thorchestra! and was the featured performer during Atlantic Fashion Week.

Karen and Stuart are joined onstage by musicians Scott Taylor (piano), Kyle Tully (bass), and Serkan Süer (drums.)

“This has become an annual Yuletide tradition for Stuart and I,” says Karen. “The show is a sweet and saucy mix of music and comedy, and it can certainly be a little risqué — and even downright raunchy — at times. It might be best to leave the kiddies at home that night.”

The show usually sells out, so get your tickets now from karenmyatt.net.

All I Really Want — A Holiday Cabaret!
Thursday, December 20, 2018, 8:00 p.m.
Sniggly Wiggily’s
1665 Argyle St. Halifax

If you can't catch the show, here's a glimpse of Karen in performance.

Karen Myatt Presents Women of the World at the Halifax Distilling Co. on November 30

Karen Myatt caps off a busy year in grand style with her performance Women of the World at the Halifax Distilling Co. on Friday, November 30.

The two-set soirée will showcase some of the finest female vocalists from around the world, including Edith Piaf (France), Lotte Lenya (Germany), Nikka Costa (Italy), Lhasa de Sela (Mexico, Montreal), Shirley Bassey (Wales), and more.

“These are some of my all-time favourite songs by some of my all-time favourite singers,” says Karen. “The cultures may be diverse, but the music is united by the passion of the performances.”

Karen received Talent Trust scholarships to assist with her studies in voice. She attended the Randolph Academy in Toronto, and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

She’s had a busy year. In addition to her Symphony Nova Scotia debut with Thorgy and the Thorchestra!, she was the feature performer at Atlantic Fashion Week, and had a pair of sold-out shows at Neptune Theatre.

“We have had an amazing string of shows at the Halifax Distilling Co. this year,” she continues. “Our themed concerts — Jazz Noir, ECMAzing, Acoustique, Calendar Girl, Just Jazz — have brought out the very best in the band, and in myself. I am grateful to Arla and Julie at the Distilling Co. for having us in each month, and appreciative that audiences have been so gracious.”

More information on Women of the World, including ticket details, is available via her website: www.karenmyatt.net.

Karen Myatt is the Feature Performer at Atlantic Fashion Week 2018

Karen Myatt is the feature performer
at this year's Atlantic Fashion Week

Karen Myatt will be the feature performer at Atlantic Fashion Week 2018, which takes place in Halifax on October 18 - 20. She’ll be returning for her second straight year, performing with acclaimed pianist Holly Arsenault.

Karen received Talent Trust scholarships to assist with her studies in voice. She attended the Randolph Academy in Toronto, and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Karen has established a career with a very full schedule since then. Her summer has been particularly busy, debuting with Symphony Nova Scotia in the fabulous Thorgy and the Thorchestra! and most recently performing on Neptune Theatre’s Studio stage in her two-night, sold-out show Blues Deluxe.

She’ll follow her Atlantic Fashion Week performances with Jazz Noir at the Halifax Distilling Co. on October 26.

From Karen: “They bring the style, and we bring the swing. A nice mix of classic and contemporary jazz standards will complement the soirées and the amazing array of designs on display.”

Atlantic Fashion Week marks its 12th year in 2018. The three-day event supports emerging and established fashion designers of both the Atlantic region and nationally known Canadian designers. 

Showcases are at 350 Horseshoe Lake Drive in Halifax. Visit the Atlantic Fashion Week website for details.

To learn more about Karen and to catch up with her concert schedule, visit her website: karenmyatt.net.

Karen Wyatt in Concert: Blues Deluxe at Neptune Studio Theatre

Karen Wyatt follows her jam-packed summer concert schedule that included her debut with Symphony Nova Scotia and returns to the stage with Blues Deluxe, a two-night tribute to the genre’s greatest performers.

Tickets are going fast for the September 28 and 29 performances (details below).

Karen received Talent Trust scholarships to help support her studies in voice. She attended the Randolph Academy in Toronto, and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

A well-known and accomplished performer, she’s one of the nominees for The Coast magazine's 2018 Best of Halifax Readers' Choice Awards.

Blues Deluxe will feature both classic and contemporary blues artists such as Robert Johnson, LaVern Baker, Muddy Waters, Nina Simone, BB King, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin.

The multi-media performances will also showcase many modern blues artists, including The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Blues Saraceno.

From Karen: “I have absolutely fallen for the blues. I love the heart and soul of the rhythms and melodies, the gritty vocals, the tremendous history and culture of the music.”

She’ll be backed by an 8-piece band, including a horn section and backup singers.

Blues Deluxe details
Friday, September 28
Saturday, September 29
Neptune Studio Theatre, Halifax

Showtime for both nights is 8:00 p.m.

More information, including ticket details for Blues Deluxe, are available at karenmyatt.net.

Karen Myatt in Thorgy’s Thorchestra! with Symphony Nova Scotia

Photo by Michèle Parent of Chèle Photo Couture

Karen Myatt is a busy woman. She's about to make her Symphony Nova Scotia debut as guest vocalist for the highly-anticipated Thorgy and the Thorchestra!

The show, part of Halifax Pride 2018, is described as a "thrilling, thoughtful, and hilariously theatrical show featuring the fabulous Thorgy Thor, famed worldwide from the hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race." 

Performances are Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28, 7:30 p.m. at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax. 

For tickets, call the Symphony box office at 902.494.3820, visit 6101 University Avenue, or you can purchase tickets online.

Karen received Talent Trust scholarships in 2003 and 2004. She studied at the Randolph Academy in Toronto and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Her appearance with Thorgy and the Thorchestra! follows a recent pair of soirées at the Halifax Distilling Co., with a third show in that series on August 17, plus an upcoming concert on Friday, July 20 at Sandy Cove's Zion United Church, which is part of the Cove Summer Music Series.

For more information on Karen's music and upcoming concerts, visit karenmyatt.net.

Summer Soirees - Vocalist Karen Myatt in Concert at the Halifax Distilling Co.

Karen Myatt celebrates summer with a series of themed concerts at the Halifax Distilling Co. at 1668 Lower Water Street on the city's waterfront.

On Saturday, June 16, The Karen Myatt Quintet presents Acoustique, an intimate evening of classic and contemporary melodies.

"These are some of my all-time favourite songs," says the vocalist, noting that the two-set soirée will include works by Cassandra Wilson, Jeff Buckley, Imelda May, Tom Waits, and many others. "We will be taking these tunes down a notch and showcasing the sheer, simple beauty of the music."

On Saturday, July 14, Myatt's Quartet presents Just Jazz, a two-set tribute to the genre's tremendous tradition.

"We are going back to basics with this concert, performing standards by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, and Nova Scotia's very own Holly Cole," she explains. "Purists — and those just discovering jazz — will love it."

On Friday, August 17, the Quintet returns with Calendar Girl,  showcasing the life and work of renowned American singer and actress Julie London. 

"We have been wanting to do this show for a long time," says Myatt. "The first set will overview her career, while the second set will feature her classic 1956 album Calendar Girl in its entirety."

More information on Summer Soirées, as well as ticket details, are available via Myatt's website: www.karenmyatt.net