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Contact Us: Nathalie 416-904-3252 or Catherine 289-242-2176 | ||
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About Us Harpist Nathalie Younglai and Flutist Catherine Richardson, crossed paths over 12 years ago, and have been making noise together, ever since. They founded the Variante Harp & Flute Duo, known for their unique renditions of classical, pop, and jazz. In 2001, they independently recorded their debut self-titled CD, Variante Harp & Flute Duo, a collection of classical and jazz music arranged for flute and harp, that soothe the spirit. One of the tracks has been chosen as a featured soundtrack for the television pilot, "Glenmore Gardens". Their second CD, Cantiques de Noël, was released in 2002. Both CD's are aired regularly on CBC, and Classical 96.3FM. November 2005 marked the release of their latest CD, Reunion. This CD features performances by special guests, violinist Corey Gemmell, percussionist Sam Cino, and jazz vocalist Demo Cates. Nathalie and Catherine share their harp and flute music at galas, concerts, openings, fundraisers, corporate functions, weddings and other special events all over Southern Ontario. Highlights of the duo's career include playing for Prime Minister Paul Martin, Hilary Weston, then-Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Rik Emmett, classical 96.3 FM's Kerry Stratton, the Halton Foundation Gala, and the City of Guelph's 125th Anniversary Gala. They were also featured musicians at the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Ottawa Trilogy Tour. Their 2004 Winter Dreams Concert Series was a resounding success, celebrating new collaborations with mezzo soprano Mary Lynne Whyte, percussionist Sam Cino, mezzo soprano Rebecca Hass, drummer Joe Bowden, photographer Maylynn Quan, dancers from the Burlington Footnotes & Company, and the C.H. Norton Troubadours choir. Through their harp and flute music, they have donated over 600 hours of community service to Halton Rape Crisis Centre, MS Society, Hamilton Food Bank, Guelph Youth Music Centre, Junior League House Tours, Milton Concert Series, Breast Cander Research, Halton Learning Foundation and Appleby College. Fiercely independent, the duo does more than make music together - they manage their own publicity, bookings, marketing, producing, and the not-so-glamorous tasks of bookkeeping and being their own roadies. Cheers! Biography Nathalie Younglai started playing Suzuki violin at the age of 4, and piano at 5. When she was 12, she decided 4 strings weren't enough, so she took on the challenge of 44 more, studying harp under the tutelage of Marie Lorcini. She has earned a number of honours for her music, including the RCM Silver Medal for violin, and for harp, the Toronto Kiwanis Association Scholarship and the Lee Hepner Award for musical excellence. Nathalie has soloed with the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the Guelph Chamber Orchestra; and has played with the Te Deum Chamber Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic, Symphony Hamilton, the Toronto Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Guelph Concert Band. She created the soundtrack for a documentary about the Young Offender's Act. Nathalie has taught music at the Hamilton Suzuki school of Music, the Halton Waldorf School, and currently teaches harp privately. Nathalie is the recipient of the 2004 Equinox Award for emerging video artists, and a writer's grant through the Ontario Public Interest Group. She was as sound editor for the television pilot, "Glenmore Gardens". Nathalie now writes for the Globe and Mail as well as does research on the hit TV series, Til Debt Do Us Part. E-mail: nathalie@varianteduo.com Catherine Richardson's musical career began at the tender age of 7, when she began playing flute and piano. She studied under the tutelage of Douglas Stewart and Suzanne Shulman, amongst others. She obtained her ARCT in Flute Performance, and her B.A. and B.Ed. from the University of Toronto. Her work with the Variante Harp & Flute Duo is just one of her many musical outlets. Catherine teaches at C.H. Norton Public School, where she is the director of the award-wining Primary Choir, and the Norton Troubadours. Over the past 30 years, Catherine has taught hundred of students of all ages and abilities. Her private flute students are frequent recipients of scholarships and invitations to Provincial Competitions, and many have continued their musical studies at the university level. Catherine is active as a flute clinician, workshop leader, musical consultant, fundraiser, lecturer, and choral librarian. In October 2004, Catherine represented Burlington as a musical ambassador, while on tour of Itibashi, Japan, with the Burlington Footnotes and Company. E-mail: catherine@varianteduo.com |
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