Eileen Kosasih is a multifaceted artist, musician, presenter, and whiskey specialist based in Calgary, Canada. What underpins her creative output is a strong belief that music and art can and should be learned/appreciated at the same time.
Eileen actively programs and leads art and music workshops around Alberta and BC. As workshop programmer and facilitator for the Instrumental Society Calgary’s “Art + Music Friends” at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the string teacher for Alberta Clinic Line, speaker for local art, music, and design panels, she shares her passion with diverse audiences. Eileen has been Guest Artist for the Banff Centre’s Youth Orchestra Symposium, Calgary Board of Education schools, Montessori schools, PhilKids (the CPO’s education program) and the Conservatory. As a whiskey specialist, Eileen hosts tastings for local businesses and events as well as for her private whiskey club in her home.
In addition to founding and conducting Calgary Arts Orchestra (2014-2015), Eileen has programmed concert series at the Cranbrook History Centre, the King Eddy at the National Music Centre, and for Classical Revolution Calgary. Her practical work spans Principal Pianist for the Calgary Boys’ Choir, Resident Accompanist for Out of the Blue Choir, and Accompanist for Mount Royal Conservatory students. Eileen’s string positions extend to Principal Second Violin for the Symphony of the Kootenays, Concertmaster for the St. David’s United Orchestra, and Principal Viola for Uptown Strings. As an active freelance performer, she has contributed to the local music scene via many organizations.
Eileen’s arts education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Music in Violin Performance from Ambrose University, pre-collegiate piano diploma from the American College of Musicians, Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Azusa Pacific University, and Master of Art in Fine and Decorative Art and Design from Sotheby’s Institute of Art New York. She has attended the Summer Chamber Music Program at the Curtis Institute, Summer Conducting Program at Queens University (New York), and is currently a candidate for Spirits: Level 3 from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.
Lauren Woods is a soprano from Calgary, Alberta. Lauren has been a performer since she was a child, beginning with choir, piano, and competitive figure skating. She completed a vocal performance diploma at Mount Royal University, and went on to the University of British Columbia where she received a bachelor’s degree in Opera. Lauren now carries a Master’s in Voice Performance from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. She was recognized as a finalist in the Wirth Vocal Competition in Montreal, and was one of six singers to represent Canada in the international Belvedere competition in Amsterdam in 2015.
Lauren was one of Calgary Opera’s Emerging artists for the 2016-2017 season. During the program, she played Laurette in Le Docteur Miracle, Fairy-Godmother and Clorinda in Cinderella, and covered Adele in Die Fledermaus. Previous roles include: the title role in Rodelinda, Amy in Mark Adamo’s Little Women (Opera McGill), Adina in Love Potion No. 9 (Cowtown Opera), Rose in Jake Heggie’s At the Statue of Venus, The Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Musetta in La Bohème, Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, Meg in The Phantom of the Opera (Cowtown Opera), Gilda in Rigoletto, Sophie in Wether (Calgary Concert Opera), and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro (Opera NUOVA). At UBC she played Countess Blavinskeya in the world premiere of The Dream Healer, Nanetta in Verdi’s Falstaff and Despina in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte in the Czech republic, Ontario and Vancouver.
Lauren has been fortunate to tour across canada with Cowtown Opera in Toronto and Charlottetown, as well as Mercury Opera, in Alberta and Ontario. She’s worked with the edgy opera company on various projects including Fiamma (Magnetic North Festival in Ottawa) and 109 Underground in Edmonton (Omni tv documentary).
Aside from performing across the country, Lauren is a prominent voice/piano teacher and clinician in Alberta. She is extremely passionate about music and acting, and she believes that music broadens the mind, feeds the soul and enriches lives.
Embark on a captivating musical journey as soprano Lauren Woods joins forces with pianist Eileen Kosasih. The duo invites you to a program featuring opera and folk music inspired by the raw beauty and poetic charm of Scotland, and the Canada-Scotland connection. Program highlights include the mad scene from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Beethoven’s Scottish Lieder, ancient songs of the Hebrides, and a Nova Scotian classic.
