SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — SaskMusic is inviting residents across Saskatchewan to explore music, creativity and self-expression through a series of free workshops during Culture Days from Sept. 25 to 28.
The workshops, supported by Creative Saskatchewan, will take place in Swift Current, Yorkton and Prince Albert. The sessions will be led by vocal coach Sonia Reid and graphic designer and musician Gabrielle Giroux.
The workshops are designed for participants of all ages and experience levels. Attendees will have the opportunity to develop singing skills, explore visual storytelling and creative branding and gain practical knowledge they can apply to their own artistic pursuits.
Andrew Bay, SaskMusic's marketing and communications manager, said the initiative is intended to make arts programming more accessible across the province.
"Whether someone is already an established musician, just starting out, or simply interested in learning something new, these workshops offer an opportunity to explore their creativity," Bay said. "One workshop focuses on developing vocal skills, while the other allows participants to create their own album cover and explore what their artistic identity might look like."
Bay said SaskMusic is excited to bring programming to communities outside Saskatchewan's largest centres.
"It's a fantastic opportunity to get into some of the smaller cities in Saskatchewan," he said. "There is often a lot of arts programming available in Saskatoon and Regina. This allows us to reach people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with the arts in this way."
Saskatoon vocal coach Sonia Reid will lead the 90-minute Fundamentals of Singing workshop in Swift Current on Sept. 25, Yorkton on Sept. 26 and Prince Albert on Sept. 27.
The session will focus on foundational vocal techniques, confidence-building exercises and microphone skills for both live performances and recording.
Reid, who has more than 25 years of experience as a performer and educator, said the workshop is designed to help participants better understand how their voices work.
"We'll work through a series of exercises that I consider foundational for singers at any level," Reid said. "Participants will learn more about how the voice functions, how breathing affects singing and how to care for their voices."
She said vocal health is important because the voice is constantly in use.
"Our instrument is always engaged, whether we're talking, whispering, singing or yelling at our kids in traffic," she said with a laugh. "The workshop will help participants understand how to reduce strain and take better care of their voices."
Reid said one of the highlights of teaching workshops around the province is meeting singers at different stages of their musical journeys.
"I enjoy working with new people and hopefully giving them tools that will enhance their music journey," she said.
Graphic designer and musician Gabrielle Giroux will lead the Design Your Own Album Cover workshop in Swift Current on Sept. 26, Yorkton on Sept. 27 and Prince Albert on Sept. 28.
Giroux has been involved in Saskatchewan's music industry since 2012, when she co-founded the all-female rock band The Wolfe. Her experience creating promotional materials and album artwork for the band sparked an interest in graphic design, which led her to earn a diploma in the field.
She has also worked with artists including Juno Award winners Celeigh Cardinal, Sebastian Gaskin and Connie Kaldor. In addition to her design work, Giroux helped organize Pretty In Punk Fest in Saskatoon and currently manages and handles creative direction for the band called dead ex-girlfriends.
Giroux said she was excited to partner with SaskMusic for the workshops, which combine music, design and hands-on creativity.
"We'll be using concepts and methods from a variety of crafts, from painting and writing to junk journaling and collage," she said. "It's important for me to show musicians and others in Saskatchewan that you don't need a huge budget to create artwork. Many people already have materials they can use at home."
Giroux said handmade art has become increasingly meaningful as artificial intelligence-generated content grows in popularity.
"When handmade or human-made authenticity is this important in an age of AI-generated designs, this kind of workshop becomes even more valuable," she said.
The workshop will give participants an opportunity to create a unique album cover based on their own ideas, stories and artistic vision. All materials will be provided, and no previous design experience is required.
Bay said the workshop offers a hands-on creative alternative at a time when digital and AI-generated content is becoming increasingly common.
"We wanted to offer something that was hands-on," he said. "Participants will create artwork right there in the space and take it home with them. Whether they've imagined being in a punk band, a rock band or a pop group, they'll have a chance to create something that reflects their own style and ideas."
Bay emphasized that all sessions are free and open to participants of all ages.
"We accept walk-ins on the day of the event as well," he said. "If you don't get a chance to register, or aren't sure if you'll be able to attend until the last minute, everybody is welcome to join us."
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture held annually in late September. The initiative features thousands of free, participatory events across Canada that encourage members of the public to engage with the arts through hands-on experiences and behind-the-scenes activities.
SaskMusic is a non-profit organization that represents, promotes and develops Saskatchewan's music industry through workshops, artist consultations, marketing support, networking opportunities and industry development programs.
Workshop schedule
Fundamentals of Singing with Sonia Reid
- Sept. 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Swift Current Museum
- Sept. 26, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Western Development Museum, Yorkton
- Sept. 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Prince Albert Public Library, John M. Cuelenaere Branch
Design Your Own Album Cover with Gabrielle Giroux
- Sept. 26, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Swift Current Museum
- Sept. 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Western Development Museum, Yorkton
- Sept. 28, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Prince Albert Public Library, John M. Cuelenaere Branch
All workshops are free. Registration information is available through SaskMusic.
