Pianist Eileen Kosasih and Soprano Lauren Woods present a program of songs that focus on the wider world outside of love. Centered around the natural world, the literature explores the natural world: weather, landscapes, and animals. Highlights include Alban Berg’s Die Nachtigall (The Nightinggale), Schubert’s Die Forelle (The Trout), and English language art songs such as Britten’s Cuckoo and Irving Layton’s Song for Naomi.
Eileen and Lauren invite to special guest artists to join them on a few selections.
Artist’s Brief Biographies…
Eileen Kosasih is a multifaceted visual 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’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 holds Level III Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (London).
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, and 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 Mount Royal Conservatory programs. Her art has been represented by galleries such as Apik Fine Art, Motion Gallery, and Art Spot. As a whiskey specialist, Eileen hosts tastings for local businesses and events as well as for her private whiskey club.
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 and Concertmaster for the St. David’s United Orchestra.
Lauren Woods, soprano, performs in operas, oratorios and concerts from coast to coast. As a born-and-raised Calgarian, she was thrilled to return home as one of Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artists in 2016-2017. She completed a Master’s in Voice at McGill under the tutelage of Aline Kutan and a bachelor’s degree in Opera at UBC. Lauren was a finalist in the Wirth Vocal Competition in Montreal, and was one of six Canadians invited to the International Belvedere competition in Amsterdam. Notable performances include Alice in Todd’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the title role in Handel’s Rodelinda, Amy in Adamo’s Little Women, Adina in L’Elisir D’amore, Gretel in Hansel und Gretel, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Gilda in Rigoletto, Nannetta in Falstaff, and Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte. Currently, she sings with Juno-nominated chamber choir Luminous Voices and is a sought-after soloist in Calgary. Aside from performing, Lauren is a visual artist, mother of two and teaches voice/piano lessons through her private studio.
