REVOLUTION Programming Update: "Cultural Diversity in Artistic Practice"
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REVOLUTION: Engaging Human Creativity
Over the weeks leading up to the Alliance's 2017 annual conference, REVOLUTION: Engaging Human Creativity, we'll be sharing some of the exciting programming and engaging speakers conference attendees have to look forward to at The Annex and VSO School of Music's Pyatt Hall in Vancouver on Thursday, June 8.
Today we spotlight the panel "Cultural Diversity in Artistic Practice," moderated by Nina Buddhdev.
Click here for more information on REVOLUTION, and to register at an early bird rate today!
CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN ARTISTIC PRACTICE
This panel discussion explores ways race, gender and culture manifest in creative expression. South Asian arts promoter Nina Buddhdev moderates a critical conversation with educator and performer Dr. Michelle La Flamme; Indian classical dancer Sudnya Mulye; Iranian-Canadian theatre director, writer and producer Fay Nass (Neworld, Frank, PTC); Thomas Hunter, a practitioner of Hindustani music, who lectures in South Asian Studies at UBC, and Tabla player Sunny Matharu. Expect to examine the ways traditional art practice will keep pace in a contemporary art world.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR
South Asian Heritage arts advocate Nina Buddhdev consults with an international portfolio of classical artists, projects, seed initiatives and organizations who all seek to relate creative excellence to an ever-changing society for a richer sense of world culture. She is the founder of The Bandish Network, a west coast platform for Canadian and visiting classical Indian artists, students, organizations and presenters. Following the BC Culture days 2015 Ambassador project, ‘Traditional India Series,’ Nina founded The TriCity India Heritage Network, a community resource for south Asian interests and families in the Tri-City areas. She has a prolific background in the UK and is recognized for the Asian Music Circuit programs including the BBC Indian Proms at the Royal Albert Hall featuring legendary maestros of classical traditions. As a freelancer, Nina specializes in project visioning, partnerships, classical art research, critical evaluations, project regeneration, artist coaching, project advisory and ghost content.
ABOUT THE PANEL
Thomas Hunter is a Lecturer in South Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches the first two years of study of the Sanskrit language and elective courses on South and Southeast Asian history, literature and the performing arts. He is a dedicated student, teacher and performer of Hindustani Classical Music. He began his training in the instrumental tradition of the Seniya-Maihar lineage of Hindustani music in 1970 under the late Ustad Ali Akbar Khan at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. He also studied Hindustani vocal music with the late maestro and was introduced to the study of tabla under Ustad Zakir Hussain.
Dr. Michelle La Flamme is an educator and performer who is committed to social justice issues. Her Aboriginal ancestry comes to her from her father (Creek) and mother’s lineage (Métis). Born and raised in unceded Coast Salish territory, La Flamme completed her PhD at UBC in 2006. Her teaching and research focuses on Canadian literature and drama, hybridity theories and Aboriginal theatre. As an ardent Canadianist she has been invited to Poland, the Netherlands and Germany offering lectures on Canadian literature and Aboriginal theatre praxis. In May 2017, she was a co-organizer for a conference in Poland on Aboriginal Storytelling and Theatre Praxis featuring Tomson Highway. La Flamme taught for years at SFU and UBC in English and Theatre departments. Currently, she is an associate professor at the University of the Fraser Valley and she is most delighted to be a grandmother for the first time.
Sunny Matharu has performed as a solo artiste and has accompanied numerous musicians from around the world as an accomplished Tabla player for the past 25 years. Sunny has been privileged to accompany living legends such as Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Irshad Khan, Pandit Ramesh Mishra, and many other reputable musicians from the Indian Classical music tradition. Apart from performing, Sunny has taught Tabla at various religious institutes throughout Vancouver and is a dedicated teacher, inspiring young children and students of all ages to learn Tabla and explore it as an art-form. As a globe-trotting musician, he has enthralled audiences and music lovers in Canada, US, UK and India. Sunny currently resides in Surrey, BC and is much sought after as a solo performer, recording artiste, accompanist, and teacher.
Sudnya Mulye is a professional Bharata Natyam dancer, choreographer and instructor. In Canada, Sudnya’s performances include the Vancouver and Yukon Story Telling Festivals, Vancouver Folk Festival, International Jazz Festival, Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Sacred Music Festival, and many more. Eager to share her passion for dance with youth, Sudnya performs and gives workshops in schools on “Dance in India.” She also teaches at Sudnya Dance Academy (SDA), which she established in 1997.
Fay Nass is an Iranian-Canadian theatre practitioner and scholar. Fay’s work often examines questions of race, sex, and culture, and the challenges these pose to notions of identity. Beside writing, directing and producing new work. currently, she is the resident producer at Neworld Theatre, Associate artist with Frank theatre and is involved as a board member with PTC.
