Musical Career
Ecstacy of Rita Jo, 2003 Royal Winnipeg Ballet
As a teenager in Vancouver, Ann began singing with the legendary Josh White after her first public appearance which was at a local coffeehouse. That first performance was precipitated by a dare put to her by some of her classmates at school. Shortly thereafter, Ann was invited to an audition to be a singer for the first run of the George Ryga play, The Ecstasy of Rita Joe. It was here that she recognized the power of the arts to influence social awareness.
Ann’s work with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet on the ballet version of The Ecstasy of Rita Joe deepened her commitment to the arts and helped greatly to establish her career. Over the years she became known as one of Canada’s most unique and outstanding performing artists.
Ann played the lead in many musicals, including,
- “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” in NY and elsewhere;
- “I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking it on the Road,” a Cleveland Playhouse production of “The Arabian Knight,” based on her music and poetry;
- “Jacques and Madly” another Cleveland production which she wrote and performed with David Frazier and Madly Bamy (the partner of Jacques Brel during his last years in the South Pacific);
- “Reflections on Crooked Walking” her own much loved family musical which met with tremendous success with young and old alike.
- In concert and on tour with her own One Woman Shows and in concert with such artists as Hagoode Hardy, Harry Belafonte, Ramsey Lewis Michele LeGrand, Bobby McFerrin and John Denver.
- In concert: an evening of her own music performed with all the major Symphony Orchestras across Canada. PBS Television Special received national syndication on Public Television.
- Feature performing artist at Closing Ceremonies of Commonwealth Games Victoria 1994- Audience: half billion.
