Contemporary Kids: Building Soundscapes with Musicians

June 15 + 22

1-2:30 PM or 3-4:30 PM
Workshop

Join us for a hands-on musical workshop! As part of the Sound Atlas New Music Festival and this year’s theme of “Sonic Playground,” this session is led by the talented musicians of the Festival’s Contemporary Performance Lab (CPL) Fellows.

Kids and artists will team up to create a graphic score—a playful way to show how music might sound using sculpture, collage, and craft materials instead of traditional notes. Through this collective process, kids will explore musical instruments, improvisation, and non-conventional music-making. Together, we'll turn the graphic score into a unique sound piece that brings our ideas and feelings about Calgary to life.

No experience required—just bring your imagination! Part of the workshop will be hands-on, creating the graphic score, and the other half will feature a live performance by SAF musicians, bringing the visual work to life in an unique sound experience.

Our free onsite Contemporary Kids programs invite children to learn about modern and contemporary art through unique and engaging art activities.

For children ages 5-12. Maximum group of 25 children, with one guardian per child. Questions? Please visit our FAQ page.

Contemporary Calgary Educational Programs are often photographed. This photography includes the participants, parents or guardians and their creations. If you wish to not be photographed, please let Contemporary Calgary education staff know upon arrival and they will assist you.

The same workshop is offered in four sessions for your convenience: two sessions on Sunday, June 15 and two sessions on Sunday, June 22. Choose one session that suits your schedule best.

Sunday, June 15
1:00-2:30 PM

Sunday, June 15
3:00-4:30 PM

Sunday, June 22
1:00-2:30 PM

Sunday, June 22
3:00-4:30 PM

About Sound Atlas New Music Festival (SAF)

Already in its third year, the Sound Atlas New Music Festival (SAF) is a musical expedition for adventurous listeners, composers, and artists. With this year’s theme, “Sonic Playground,” guests are invited to revel in a state of play where whimsy meets the unexpected in a veritable feast for curious ears and imagination.

This year, SAF is delighted to feature the spirited genius of our featured Korean-American composer Juri Seo, a “modern original” whose music has been praised for its extraordinary charm and inventiveness. Along with the rest of the wonderful artist lineup, guests can expect a wondrous and eclectic experience in music and sound, featuring performances from SAF’s host ensemble Latitude 49, local Calgary performers, and guests from across North America and beyond in a joyful explosion of friendship and creativity.

Sound Atlas New Music Festival is supported by Walt and Irene Deboni.

Director of Education, 2025 Sound Atlas New Music Festival: Yuan Ge

Yuan Ge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business & Management from Berklee College of Music and a Master’s degree in Music Industry Leadership from Northeastern University. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Music Education at the University of Calgary.

Originally from the music business world, Yuan spearheaded marketing efforts for artists such as Christina Aguilera and Kenshi Yonezu in his previous positions. Now with over four years of music education experience in both private and public capacities, he hopes to exercise his expertise in creative marketing and education as the Director of Education for this year’s Sound Atlas New Music Festival. In his spare time, Yuan likes to tinker with guitars, cameras, and cars.

Jerry Liao (Piano)

Born in Fuzhou, China, Canadian pianist Bo Xuan (Jerry) Liao resides in Calgary, Alberta, where he is an active soloist and collaborative pianist. Jerry is in his third year of a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Calgary, studying with Dr. Jani Parsons.

Most recently, Jerry won first prize in Category IV of the VI Vienna International Chopin Competition. He has had the opportunity to work with notable musicians including Steven Spooner, Henry Kramer, and Yakov Kasman.

In 2023, Jerry had the privilege of collaborating with acclaimed Chinese Canadian composer Vincent Ho, culminating in the world premiere performance of The Galloping Horse from The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 2.

In addition to his work as a piano soloist, Jerry is a passionate chamber musician and collaborator, recently performing John Burge’s Four Violin Concerto with violinists Isaac Willocks, Sora Kim, Ana Gonzalez Carmona, and Gaby Nunez. Jerry has an avid interest in the field of pedagogy and is a dynamic teacher of piano and music theory. Outside of music, Jerry enjoys playing badminton and eating delicious cuisine.

Teaghan Krahn (Cello)

Teaghan, age 16, started cello lessons with Beth Root-Sandvoss at 4 years old, and has been in the Cello Academy for Young Artists at Mount Royal University in Calgary since she was 6 years old. She is currently one of the Principal Cellos for the CYO and has been playing in the orchestra for the past 3 years. She has received many awards and scholarships for her cello playing, including a provincial recommendation from the Calgary Performing Arts Festival, the Jeanette Whitney Memorial Scholarship and scholarships from the Calgary Youth Orchestra. She was also named one of the ‘Stars of the Festival’ for the Calgary Performing Arts Festival in 2018 and 2024, and played in their gala concert. She was also a Contemporary Performance Lab Fellow for the Sound Atlas Festival in 2024. She was a finalist in the Canadian Music Competition in 2019 and won 1st place in the Contemporary Showcase Competition in 2017. She also plays piano and received First Class Honours with Distinction for her grade 8 exam in 2024 and received a Provincial Gold Medal from the Royal Conservatory for piano in 2021. She also received First Class Honours with Distinction for her Grade 10 cello exam in 2023. Teaghan enjoys playing in a piano trio with her sisters, regularly performing in church and seniors’ homes. She also enjoys reading, building Lego, and enjoying time with her family, friends and dog, Arwyn.

Aidan Rigor (Saxophone)

Aidan Rigor is a 4th-year student at the University of Calgary studying Music Performance for the saxophone. He has been studying under Dr. Jeremy Brown for over 10 years, taking classical saxophone lessons. Aidan was a member of the YYC Lab Band, University of Calgary Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Orchestra, and was a member of saxophone quartets. Currently, Aidan is a member of a mixed trio of flute, saxophone, and piano called the Contour Trio. Throughout his studies, Aidan has taken a keen interest in saxophone extended techniques, which has led him to explore all kinds of contemporary works regarding circular breathing, multiphonics, and subtones.

Gabrielle Marquis (Flute)

Gabrielle Marquis is in the final year of her Bachelor of Music in flute performance at the University of Calgary, where she studies with Lucie Jones. A dedicated ensemble musician, she has served as principal flute with the University of Calgary Orchestra for the past three seasons and has been a member of the Wind Ensemble since the start of her degree. Outside of university, Gabby is a long-time participant in the Academy Programme for Young Artists at the MRU Conservatory. Alongside her performance work, she is passionate about music education and teaches privately. She also has a growing interest in instrument repair.

About our TD Educational Facilitators

Poppy Ghasemi (she/her)

Poppy holds a bachelor's degree in Museum Studies and a master's in Anthropology. The awards she received from the University of Manitoba supported her research on child neglect. She has over four years of hands-on experience working with children and youth in museums and schools in Iran, Turkey, and Canada. Before joining Contemporary Calgary, she was a program educator at the Manitoba Children's Museum. Poppy primarily focuses on activating children's critical and creative thinking skills while delivering programs in English, French, Farsi, and Turkish. She enjoys cooking and walking with her husky along the Bow River during her leisure time.

Dandan Gu (she/her)

Dandan Gu graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design. Prior to that, she obtained her first bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. Dandan has worked as a graphic designer for various companies and creative projects. Currently, she passionately serves as an educational assistant for art-making programs within the community, sharing her creative expertise with young learners. In her free time, Dandan enjoys practicing ink art, Chinese calligraphy, and illustrating cats and people around her.

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