Maureen Batt
It’s a homecoming of sorts for soprano
Maureen Batt tomorrow night at St. Andrew’s United
Church in Halifax. The concert, titled Crossing Borders, features a wide
range of contemporary musical styles, including expressions of pop culture
phenomena, nostalgia, and North American beauty. Recently we spoke with the Dalhousie
University graduate her about what audiences can expect.
What are
your own roots?
I’m
from Fredericton, NB. My paternal background is English and Canadian; my
maternal background is Irish-Canadian.
When
and why did you start performing music?
My
sister and brother and I all started piano lessons when we were young—I was in
grade two. In grade five, I started violin lessons on my mother’s childhood
violin. I played in orchestras and went to fiddling camps (I wish I could still
fiddle!). In grade six, I joined the Fredericton School Girls Choir. By grade
seven I also wanted to join the concert and jazz bands, so I started playing
saxophone. In grade nine, I started private singing lessons—I had heard that
other girls in the choir were taking them and I wanted to study too! In grade
ten I got one of the lead roles in the musical, Carousel, and I never looked
back! That’s a long-winded answer to “when”, but the “why” is much simpler: I
fell in love with singing and storytelling.
Are
they the same reasons you do it today?
Yes
- absolutely.
How
have you evolved as an artist over that time?
I
went to university for 10 years to work on my craft—I did a Bachelor of Arts in
languages at St. Thomas University, and then came to Dalhousie for my Bachelor
of Music, and completed my MMus at the University of Toronto. I am extremely
grateful for the tools I was given in university to become the artist I am
today. I am always trying to improve and evolve.
How
would you describe your sound and style today?
I’m
a classically trained soprano, so I sound like an opera singer. I love to tell
stories, so my style is to look for pieces I can perform that are a great story
or have beautiful poetry.
What
can audiences expect at this
Saturday's concert?
The concert features a wide range of contemporary
musical styles, including expressions of pop culture phenomena, nostalgia, and
North American beauty. All of the music is in English and written by living
composers.
Is your
creative process more 'inspirational' or 'perspirational'?
When
I’m producing an event such as this concert or an opera with my opera company,
I would say the bulk of my process is perspirational—there are so many
logistics to producing a musical event! My process when I’m preparing the
musical material for the concert is a little more inspirational, but still
largely perspirational.
What
makes a good song?
A
good song is one that speaks to people.
What
are your thoughts on the state of Canada's music industry?
There
are a lot of fabulous things happening in music in Canada—the scene is alive
and well across the board. It’s an exciting time to be a musician.
Do you
have any advice for younger performers?
Always
try to do your very best, and realize that becoming an artist is a very long
journey—embrace it! Keep putting yourself out there again and again. Believe in
yourself and others will, too! Be a generous colleague and give back to your
community. Without art we have nothing!
What else do you have on tap for 2015?
My
pianist, Cheryl Duvall, and I are presenting this concert again in March in
Philadelphia and Toronto. I will be singing with Opera Nova Scotia in February
and in May. I am also performing with my opera company, Essential Opera, in
March.
Maureen Batt and Cheryl Duvall
St. Andrew's United Church, Halifax
Saturday, January 24, 730pm
