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| Kelly & Thor |
Kelly Fraser is an Inuk singer, activist, and motivational speaker from
Sanikiluaq. She became known in the
music world for her Inuktitut rendition of the song “Diamonds” by Rihanna. She recently released her second studio album Sedna.
Thor Simonsen is a “Danish-Canadian author, artist, designer, music
producer, and media consultant.” He is
currently based in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The
two recently came together in 2016 to create Nunavut Hitmakerz, “an initiative
specifically designed to engage, inspire, and empower Nunavummiut youth by
promoting life and career development opportunities through the arts.” Their goal is to visit every Nunavut
community, at least once.
Hitmakerz
officially began its tour in 2016 by visiting Clyde River, Pond Inlet, and
Qikiqtarjuaq. In each community, Kelly
& Thor held workshops on song writing, recording, singing, personal
storytelling, and understanding the music industry. A concert, talent show, and community feast
were also organized. They ended each
visit by donating a mobile music studio to a local arts organization in the
community.
Funding
for the tour was provided by the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Culture
& Heritage and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. Due to the success of the first tour, Kelly
& Thor worked hard to secure funding for another tour in the fall of 2017. The lucky five communities were: Arctic Bay,
Igloolik, Hall Beach, Cambridge Bay, and Iqaluit.
Arctic
Bay was the first stop on the 2017 tour.
Kelly & Thor were in the community from September 14 to 18. Posters had been put up in the school and
around town in advance. The concert,
talent show, and workshops would all take place at the community hall. I was only able to attend the final workshop
on September 18 due to other commitments.
My students filled me in about the excellent evening concert and talent
show. My students wanted me to enter the
talent show but I politely declined.
The
workshop began after lunch. I left a
note on my classroom door, telling my students that I would be at the community
hall. I walked to the hall because there
wasn’t any snow in town, thus preventing me from using my skidoo. It would be another week or two before the
snow would arrive. A large circle of
chairs was set up in front of a grey table.
The table was actually covered with a black table cloth that displayed
the Hitmakerz logo. Kelly & Thor
welcomed everyone and everyone took a seat.
This
last workshop was more about Kelly & Thor talking about what it’s like
working in the music industry, how to get started, and what is needed to turn
your musical passions into a successful career.
The workshop was conducted in Inuktitut & English. Kelly & Thor also sang several of their
newest songs of their latest albums.
Kelly sang “Sedna”, “Looking For a Seal”, and “Fight For The Rights.” Thor sang “Friends Are Free”, “Calling 867”,
and “Traintracks.” The live performances
were well received.
At
the end of the workshop, the people in attendance were given a survey to
complete. The Hitmakerz wanted to know
what people liked about the workshops and what could be improved. I thanked Kelly & Thor for donating the
mobile music studio to the school. The
kit includes: a Mac laptop, microphone, headphones, a mini-synthesizer keyboard,
and small mixing board. The equipment
would be kept in my classroom. My
homework now was to find out who was interested in using the equipment and
create a studio recording schedule.
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