Heather Latter
The top performers from this year’s Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts took to the stage Sunday afternoon at the Townshend Theatre to showcase their talents during the annual highlights concert.
And the most prestigious awards—the coveted Rose Bowls—were presented to Lorianne Dueck (piano) and Taylor Shouldice (vocal).
Ericka Tymkin was the recipient of the third Rose Bowl (for drama) but was unable to attend the highlights concert to accept the award.
“It’s really exciting,” Dueck enthused after the awards presentation.
“I didn’t really know if I would win it,” she admitted.
“There was a good group of us [vying for the title] and we all had such a good time.”
After playing the piano for seven years, Dueck was thrilled with the outcome.
“This is my last year competing in the Festival, so I really wanted to go out with a bang, if I could,” she remarked.
Shouldice, meanwhile, said it felt “super good” to earn a Rose Bowl.
“You always see the Rose Bowl winners and know that that is what you want to achieve,” she explained.
“And I want to be that role model for others.”
Both offered advice for those who will be competing in future Festivals.
“Play a song that you enjoy,” Dueck said. “I can always tell when someone is enjoying themselves and are happy to be there.
“It makes performing a lot more fun.”
For her part, Shouldice encouraged Festival participants to “stick with it” and to practice.
“I always do better when I practice,” she noted. “And it feels so good to accomplish something after you’ve worked so hard for it.”
The highlights concert wrapped up the 2013 Festival, and organizers noted this year’s edition once again was a success.
“The Festival ran very smoothly,” said committee chair Joleen Beninger.
Despite a lower number of participants this year, she still was pleased with the level of involvement.
“I think there were some circumstances outside of our control this year,” Beninger noted, citing specifically the strike action against Bill 115 taken by teachers, which saw them halt extra-curricular activities, as well as the state of the local economy.
“But all in all, we had three busy weeks of talented performances,” she enthused.
Beninger also said she was pleased with the five adjudicators who provided valuable comments to the participants.
“I received a lot of positive feedback from the community, parents, and performers,” she remarked.
The adjudicators were Nancy Nowosad of Winnipeg (piano), David Klassen of Steinbach (vocal), John Dutton of Fort Frances (instrumental), Trevor Barker of Fort Frances (English drama) and Jacques Fafard of Kenora (French drama).
Barker stepped up at the last minute when the scheduled adjudicator, Ryan McMahon, withdrew the day before the start of the drama portion of the Festival.
“We have a wonderful committee made of members who are all committed to the continued success of the performing arts in our community,” Beninger said.
She added the committee is especially grateful for the supporters of the Festival.
“Your unflagging support ensured that the Festival ran smoothly and was presented for the enjoyment of the entire community,” she said, noting they received many generous donations, with the overall total exceeding last year.
Beninger acknowledged the financial support of the “Friends of the Festival,” the assistance of the “Helping Hands” throughout the year, the participation of the volunteers at Festival time, and the dedication of the family members, teachers, and mentors as they helped these talented performers prepare.
With plans already being discussed for next year’s Festival, Beninger indicated the committee is working towards modernizing aspects of the event.
“We continually strive to make each year better and more exciting than the one before,” she remarked.
“I welcome suggestions from all members of our community, and encourage any interested individuals to attend meetings and become part of our organization. . . .
“As we look to the future, I see great things ahead for both the committee and for the community,” Beninger added.
“We are committed, we are determined, and we are doing something together that matters,” she stressed.
