Workshops, Panels & Keynotes
I have given workshops at multiple festivals including "Louder Than A Bomb", "The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word" (in Montreal, Victoria, Winnipeg, Peterborough and Saskatoon), OCAD University, Inkslingers, The Folk Music Organization Conference, The Feminist Art Conference and more. Each of these events received a workshop that was tailored to the needs of the group.
Keynote
Most recently I did a workshop for a multimedia conference with The University of Toronto Faculty of Music -Convergence. The topic was "Dissonant Art in Pandemic times" , it was full of poetry, surprises, and a big case was made for disruption as artistic practice. To quote one attendee "I don't even know what a keynote is anymore"
I'm Scared To Ask Anything
This is a primer for what I call the "new conversation". Social media is moving forward conversations around race, ableism, gender, language and privilege so quickly that often people will become scared of asking questions they fear could be seen as ignorant. Social media is not the only place to have these conversations. Ask me the hard questions, the ones you think you'll be taken down for. This workshop will be a place to have the conversations that you're afraid to approach. As a former chair of the anti-oppression committee for Spoken Word Canada, and a disabled transmasculine person who works to undo my own biases and internalizations, I am able to do this work with you. We are imperfect, but we can do better.
Recurring Themes and Elements of Workshops
Performance feedback - stopping and starting, sharing tools I've learned as a slam coach and theatre director. I also do private coaching
Proper Vocal Warm ups for Stage - I walk you through techniques that will have you saying; "Thanks, I don't need a mic"
Freewrites & Guided Prompts - each of my workshops include moments where we create something new and creative that you can take home and continue to explore.
Microphone Workshop - How to operate a mic stand, learn techniques around trouble shooting like why your mic might be popping your "P"'s and how to fix that, volume control, work a mic on and off the stand, etc. An essential for any first workshop with me.
Tech for performers - you can find this under the "multimedia" heading. Knowing what you can expect and ask for from a sound/lighting or camera person
Taboo Writing - how to bravely go forward and write about topics that make people blush.
Panels
Accessibility Checklist for Festivals & Venues - I was commissioned by the Electric City Culture Council to do a 10 part checklist for trans accessibility. Since we come from all levels and abilities and obstacles, it's an amazing overview for anyone or organization to truly offer spaces open to all. I also presented this at the Folk Music Organization Conference and the Lupercalia Festival.
Touring as a Performer - This panel was done in part with the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Winnipeg. Here I discussed what to pack, how to prepare for every instance, what grants to seek out, how to track your tour, what your taxes need to know, safety and other things I've learned as a traveling performer of 15+ y
I have sat on panels at festivals and conferences on the following topics: Womyn Speak Out, Spoken Word and the Art of Empowerment (OCAD Feminist Art Conference), LGBTQ+ Performers and Building Audience (Queer Collusions Conference, Trent University), Coaching The Slam (Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, Victoria BC), Trigger Warnings and Intersectionality (Louder than a Bomb Festival) , Artist's Health (Artist's Health Alliance), Intersectional Feminism, an intergenerational exchange (Canadian Writers Association for the League of Canadian Poets) and more.
Keynote
Most recently I did a workshop for a multimedia conference with The University of Toronto Faculty of Music -Convergence. The topic was "Dissonant Art in Pandemic times" , it was full of poetry, surprises, and a big case was made for disruption as artistic practice. To quote one attendee "I don't even know what a keynote is anymore"
I'm Scared To Ask Anything
This is a primer for what I call the "new conversation". Social media is moving forward conversations around race, ableism, gender, language and privilege so quickly that often people will become scared of asking questions they fear could be seen as ignorant. Social media is not the only place to have these conversations. Ask me the hard questions, the ones you think you'll be taken down for. This workshop will be a place to have the conversations that you're afraid to approach. As a former chair of the anti-oppression committee for Spoken Word Canada, and a disabled transmasculine person who works to undo my own biases and internalizations, I am able to do this work with you. We are imperfect, but we can do better.
Recurring Themes and Elements of Workshops
Performance feedback - stopping and starting, sharing tools I've learned as a slam coach and theatre director. I also do private coaching
Proper Vocal Warm ups for Stage - I walk you through techniques that will have you saying; "Thanks, I don't need a mic"
Freewrites & Guided Prompts - each of my workshops include moments where we create something new and creative that you can take home and continue to explore.
Microphone Workshop - How to operate a mic stand, learn techniques around trouble shooting like why your mic might be popping your "P"'s and how to fix that, volume control, work a mic on and off the stand, etc. An essential for any first workshop with me.
Tech for performers - you can find this under the "multimedia" heading. Knowing what you can expect and ask for from a sound/lighting or camera person
Taboo Writing - how to bravely go forward and write about topics that make people blush.
Panels
Accessibility Checklist for Festivals & Venues - I was commissioned by the Electric City Culture Council to do a 10 part checklist for trans accessibility. Since we come from all levels and abilities and obstacles, it's an amazing overview for anyone or organization to truly offer spaces open to all. I also presented this at the Folk Music Organization Conference and the Lupercalia Festival.
Touring as a Performer - This panel was done in part with the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Winnipeg. Here I discussed what to pack, how to prepare for every instance, what grants to seek out, how to track your tour, what your taxes need to know, safety and other things I've learned as a traveling performer of 15+ y
I have sat on panels at festivals and conferences on the following topics: Womyn Speak Out, Spoken Word and the Art of Empowerment (OCAD Feminist Art Conference), LGBTQ+ Performers and Building Audience (Queer Collusions Conference, Trent University), Coaching The Slam (Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, Victoria BC), Trigger Warnings and Intersectionality (Louder than a Bomb Festival) , Artist's Health (Artist's Health Alliance), Intersectional Feminism, an intergenerational exchange (Canadian Writers Association for the League of Canadian Poets) and more.
