Samantha and Walter White Bear will be on stage at the Bear Street Hub for their unforgettable winter celebration during the SnowDays Festival. Join us for some snow-filled fun.
Wandering with Wonder, written and created by Samantha Whelan Kotkas with original compositions by Chris Andrew, Jordan Andrew, Matt Epp, Sherryl Sewepagaham, and Walter MacDonald White Bear, tells the tale of a girl, Wonder, who loses her song and looks to her friends Turtle, Bear, Beaver, and Eagle to help her find it.
Through this story, with film by Roadwest Pictures and orchestrations by Claude Lapalme, we learn we all have a little Wonder in each of us, which allows us to speak to the animals and listen to the trees. And when we are silent, we can hear our songs in the wind.
These light-hearted one-hour school-day programs are designed to educate and inspire students. Concerts are shaped with themes presented in the classroom, and an accompanying guide is provided to all registered schools. We welcome educators and students from public, separate, private, charter, and home schools.
A limited number of subsidies are available. These subsidies are made possible thanks to the generous support of our donors.
Wandering with Wonder, written and created by Samantha Whelan Kotkas with original compositions by Chris Andrew, Jordan Andrew, Matt Epp, Sherryl Sewepagaham, and Walter MacDonald White Bear, tells the tale of a girl, Wonder, who loses her song and looks to her friends Turtle, Bear, Beaver, and Eagle to help her find it.
Through this story with film by Roadwest Pictures and orchestrations by Claude Lapalme, we learn we all have a little Wonder in each of us, which allows us to speak to the animals and listen to the trees. And when we are silent, we can hear our songs in the wind.
Nestled in the forest, where the foothills meet the mountains, come and enjoy an evening of song and stories with Sam and Walter. Location: The Site (Old Camp Kiwanis)
Celebrating Girls in Brass 2025 is an event designed to inspire girls ages 14-18 to develop as brass players and possibly pursue careers in music. A number of extremely accomplished women from the Calgary music scene will educate the participants about a variety of work as performing musicians, music teachers, composing and conducting. We aim to help the next generation of Calgarian musicians take the next step toward a career of their choosing by connecting them with the women who have paved the way.
Early Music Voices presents their Sing Along Messiah. A Christmas tradition for many, sing along in the choruses with Rosa Barocca and hear the solos sung by our auditioned Debut Singers. Or just sit back and enjoy the beautiful music.
Join Altius Brass for their Christmas Time concert, filled with beautiful brass and stories for the whole family!
Cross-curricular teaching artist duo, Walter White Bear and Samantha Whelan, guide you through their indigenous and cross-cultural approach to storytelling and music. Walter and Samantha will share their experiences of bringing a cross-cultural mentality and philosophy to Alberta classrooms. In this presentation, you will meet Walter and Samantha and hear about their experiences as a cross-cultural team and participate in an interactive activity. They will leave time in their presentation to answer questions about what it means to be part of the reconciliation process in Canada at this time in history.
Walter and Samantha will be performing ‘Bear Love’ with the Mount Royal Wind Ensemble. Originally composed by Walter White Bear, a Cree singer-songwriter and storyteller, with words by Samantha Whelan Kotkas, a storyteller and musician, it was adapted for concert band by Calgary educator Jay Michalak. ‘Bear Love’ is drawn from the larger work ‘Wandering with Wonder’, created by Samantha Whelan Kotkas. It tells the story of Wonder, a young girl who loses her song and journeys through the natural world to find it again—with the help of Bear.
This arrangement offers students a rich opportunity to explore identity, belonging, and connection through music by working with Sam and Walter in a collaborative and inspiring setting. The instrumentation includes Indigenous courting flute played by Walter, narration and trumpet solo performed by Samantha, and sweeping textures that invite students into meaningful reflection.
Thank you to CADME for their support of this project.
Experience Oscar—a joy-filled performance celebrating the life and extraordinary talent of Canadian jazz icon Dr. Oscar Peterson. Through live music, storytelling, dance, and imagination, this uplifting production celebrates one of Canada’s greatest pianists—his childhood dreams, his boundless curiosity, and his love of the piano.
This world premiere expands on the story told in the book Oscar Lives Next Door by Bonnie Farmer, imagining Oscar’s life after illness and following his path from a gifted young pianist to an international music legend. Experience the emotional highs and challenges Oscar faced as a young Black artist, while also being exposed to a range of artistic practices and cultural traditions.
Oscar is proudly made possible through the generous support of Andrea Brussa and Irene and Walt DeBoni.
Register for your free tickets here: https://www.honens.com/events/oscar-2025-10-23-1030-am/
Oscar
with Samantha Whelan Kotkas, Priscille Bukasa, and Chris Andrew
Sunday 24 August at 2 pm
Engineered Art Bandstand, Heritage Park | 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Join storytellers Samantha Whelan Kotkas and Priscille Bukasa, and jazz pianist Chris Andrew for a lively and heartwarming performance of Oscar—a jazz-infused musical tale inspired by the childhood of Canadian legend Oscar Peterson. Perfect for families and music lovers of all ages, event brings history, imagination, and melody to life in the open air.
The Music + Explorers music enrichment program is created by the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra. It is about helping to foster better citizens, primarily among economically disadvantaged elementary students in Red Deer North. It is about making a difference through music.
In-Classroom Workshops
Arts Commons Presents - Unlock Creativity in Your Classroom as part of Arts ReimaginED 2025
Walter and Sam will be sharing their workshop ‘The Sky Speaks to Me’
What do you see when you look up at the sky? Join Samantha and Walter as they guide your students on a journey through space, blending science, music, and poetry. Using breathtaking images from the James Webb Telescope and the powerful poetry of Chief Dan George, this workshop explores the wonders of the cosmos through both Indigenous ways of knowing and modern astronomy.
This immersive experience will be truly out of this world!
The RDSO pays tribute to a rich tradition of storytelling through music. Prepare to be enchanted by Tchaikovsky's symphonic poem as it tells the story of Romeo and Juliet, then settle in for familiar tunes by quintessential Canadian troubadours. From Joni Mitchell to Gordon Lightfoot, BTO to Ian Tyson, you’d be sorry to miss this spectacular crossover finale.
Samantha and Walter are excited to be heading back to Manning, Alberta as the artists in residence for the National Art Centre’s Arts Alive Program. They will be sharing their music and creating a school song with the students for their brand-new K-12 school.
What happens when a turkey from the sticks meets a Park Avenue pigeon? With the feel of an old-time radio show, Tough Turkey in the Big City follows the comic blunders of Tom Turkey, who leaves the farm to try his luck in the big city. There’s a close call with a menacing chef, a tussle at the Turkey Club, a brief romance with a pigeon, and a happy mix-up at the Thanksgiving Day parade. The story is brought to life by some of Calgary’s finest musicians and the puppet wizardry of Green Fools Theatre Company.
Recommended for children aged 5 to 12 but created with the entire family in mind.
Sunday, May 4, 2025 – 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM
The University of Calgary Rozsa Centre: Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall
Adults $20 • Children/Students/Seniors $15
Brass Band Extravaganza on March 23rd will be a fantastic show for the whole family!! Get your advance tickets now @ altiusbrass.eventbrite.ca
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In partnership with the National Arts Centre, Samantha and Walter will be the artists in residence for a full day of workshops and performances.
In partnership with the National Arts Centre, Samantha and Walter will be the artists in residence for a full day of workshops and performances.
Inspired by the Land - A cross-cultural musical storytelling experience
Come join musician/storytellers Samantha Whelan Kotkas (trumpet) and Juno nominated Walter White Bear (courting flute/guitar/drum) on Saturday, March 8 for an unforgettable journey through stories, music, and cross-cultural sharing. Inspired by the land, water, and sky, this interactive performance blends Indigenous and Classical musical traditions, bringing nature’s beauty to life through melody and imagination.
Celebrating Girls in Brass 2025 is an event designed to inspire girls ages 14-18 to develop as brass players and possibly pursue careers in music. A number of extremely accomplished women from the Calgary music scene will educate the participants about a variety of work as performing musicians, music teachers, composing and conducting. We aim to help the next generation of Calgarian musicians take the next step toward a career of their choosing by connecting them with the women who have paved the way.
What do you see when you look up at the sky? Join Samantha and Walter as they guide your students on a journey through space, blending science, music, and poetry. Using breathtaking images from the James Webb Telescope and the powerful poetry of Chief Dan George, this residency explores the wonders of the cosmos through both Indigenous ways of knowing and modern astronomy.
Handel’s Messiah has been a Christmas season staple for nearly three centuries. Find out why as Juno-winning Rosa Barocca and Early Music Voices bring this masterpiece to Red Deer for the first time since 2018. With choir, orchestra, and a big “Hallelujah”, this concert will be a holiday hit!
Rosa Barocca’s mission is to present Alberta audiences with historically informed performances of Baroque music using period instruments to capture the spirit, stylistic approach and distinctive sound of that glorious musical era. Newly minted and comprised of musicians from across Canada, the ensemble had its debut in November 2016 with two greatly acclaimed performances of Purcell’s “Hail! Bright Cecilia” in Calgary and Red Deer under their Artistic Director Claude Lapalme. Since then, Rosa has performed more than a dozen concerts in collaboration with VoiceScapes, Luminous Voices and Spiritus Chamber Choir as well a concerts presented by Early Music Voices and the Red Deer Symphony; and with acclaimed artists such as Benjamin Butterfield, Andrew Mahon and Elinor Frey.
Every other year, Early Music Voices presents a full performance of Handel’s Messiah with guest soloists, Rosa Barocca and an outstanding small professional choir all led by Claude Lapalme. Our interpretation of this marvellous work with baroque instruments is not to be missed!
Altius Brass represents a unique collaboration of professional performers on brass and percussion instruments. Based in Calgary, Alberta, this eighteen-member ensemble under the musical direction of Mark Lennon, brings together musicians with a stimulating mixture of backgrounds, including professional orchestral performers from the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, some of Calgary’s finest freelance performers, and instructors from Calgary’s public and separate school boards. All of these performers are united in their goal of exploring and expanding the musical repertoire for large brass ensemble, while continuing to increase the audience for such music.
Samantha and Walter are the Artists in Residence at Sam Livingston School. They will be creating a school song with the students while also using music and storytelling as a way to integrate into the school’s curriculum.
Telemann - Latin Magnificat in C
JS Bach - Cantatas 137, 140 & 147 (excerpts)
JS Bach - Dona nobis pacem
Mozart - Regina coeli, KV 276
With Guest Chorus:
UCalgary Concert Choir
Kathryn Parrotta, Director
Calgary Bach Choir and Chamber Orchestra
Terry Edwards, Artistic Director
Adult: $30
Senior: $25
Student over 18: $10
Student under 18: Free
The biggest high school and junior high band festival in Alberta!
Professional Development for the entire Staff at Sam Livingston by Samantha and Walter.
Samantha and Walter White Bear will be presenting at the seventh International Teaching Artist Conference in Auckland, New Zealand. This conference is hosted by ITAC’s New Zealand Hub: the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation (CAST) at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland.
We will be coming together as artists and using our creative powers to make a positive impact in our communities, schools, and beyond. ITAC7 will be the place to be for international networking, professional development, partnership building, knowledge exchanges, and more. We are very excited to take part in this amazing event.
