Picture this: A wandering musician arrives in Hamilton, suitcase in hand, accordion slung over her shoulder - only to discover the city isn't just a random destination, but her late father's birth town. Talk about musical destiny with a twist!
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Meet Hamilton's Okayest Accordionist - a musical maverick who's lived more musical lives than most people have hobbies. This lifelong multi-instrumentalist began piano at the tender age of six, French Horn at age 10, sang in community choirs, and by her early twenties, she'd already performed with over 20 semi-professional ensembles across Ontario and Europe. One of the first Canadians with an MA in Community Music (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Limerick, Ireland? Check. Pursuing an MA in Counselling Psychology? Also check. An Honours Bachelor's in Music Education with minors in Philosophy and Archaeology from Wilfrid Laurier University? Double-check. Career highlights include working at Chamberfest (North America's largest chamber music festival), OrKidstra (Canada's first El Sistema-based program), The Oakville Chamber Orchestra, and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. Frustrated with systemic oppression in the arts sector, she took matters into her own hands; in 2022 she self-funded and organized a groundbreaking, online unconference that critically examined so-called 'DEI' in Canada's classical music scene, landing her a feature interview on a New York Times reviewed 'must-listen' podcast series for the project's innovation.
The COVID-19 pandemic became a pivotal moment in her journey. Leaving behind her Toronto life and facing the solitude of the 'burbs in Barrie, she yearned for a creative outlet. So, she did what any self-respecting musical rebel would do: bought an accordion from a random guy's garage.
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Little did she know this instrument would be the catalyst for a profound personal transformation: it would be played solely for fun, a complete departure from traumas that had shaped her entire musical journey.
When she moved to Hamilton, her discovery of the city as her dead father's birthplace added an unexpected layer of meaning. For every street she played on, it felt like it could hold a story he never got the chance to tell her, a thread connecting their lives through music and place. Her musical activations became more than just reclaiming her love for music—it was about finding a sense of belonging, not just in the city, but within the echoes of her family's past.
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Her mission is a powerful journey of personal healing and musical rediscovery. She's set out to demolish decades of learned performance anxiety and overcome traumas stemming from rigid Western-based performance and education practices. More poignantly, she's reclaiming her love for music after decades of experiencing cis-male perpetrated sexual violence simply for happening to be a woman in the arts sector. Through her art, she's creating her own space to rediscover the pure joy of making music. Her "okayest" approach connects with the present moment, prioritizing play and connection over "traditional" performance settings and expectations.
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Today, Hamilton's Okayest Accordionist roams the city, transforming sidewalks into impromptu concert halls. Strangers become bandmates. Passersby become participants. Want to try playing? She'll hand you the accordion. Can't play a single note? Even better! Her performances celebrate the beautiful, unpolished, raw process of learning and playing. No judgment, just pure musical adventure and joy.
By bringing free music to the streets, Hamilton's Okayest Accordionist is not just playing tunes – she's weaving community and proving that music isn't about perfection. It's about vulnerability and the magical moments that happen when we dare to play.
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Follow on insta @hamiltons_okayest_accordionist and YES, she wants to collaborate with you, so reach out!
