Singing with children
Nicole often worked with and performed for young audiences, including children. She did vocal workshops, coached youth in doing children’s music shows at schools, and was part of a pilot project for a literacy and musical TV show. She loved puppets and did creative work with puppet support!
She also lent her voice to creative projects by others. L’Hiver Yukonnais is one of these.
Steve Slade wrote the song with the Robert Service School Grade 6 French Class (Dawson City) in 2007. It was part of a larger project that involved the elementary schools in 4 local communities. Nicole assisted after the songwriting by recording the lead (guiding) vocals with the proper French pronunciation and phrasing to fit the rhythm. Here is Nicole’s reflection about it:
| “L’hiver yukonnais” is a precious northern winter song written by elementary students from Dawson City in 2008. This bilingual lullaby tugs at my heart strings. There is something special about children’s voices and the simple wisdom in the lyrics. The students paint an evocative picture of life in the North from a youth perspective that includes the animals they live among. Click the arrow above to listen. Read lyrics below. Some things I appreciate about Yukon culture and life include: people being creative in all sorts of ways; respect and support for artists; and the close access to and respect for wilderness. I’d like to give a shout-out to all the dedicated creatives and teachers living in the Yukon. I love that young people have access to excellent mentors who provide great experiences and opportunities for playing with and working on creative expression. Instead of only observing culture, active participation is encouraged. I’ve also loved living in a place where I can speak French and have felt welcomed to be part of the vibrant Yukon Francophone community. I feel very fortunate to have had many creative opportunities and outlets living in the Yukon. I’ve been able to initiate and produce a ton of fun, meaningful concerts/projects over the years AND it’s cool to be invited to support-collaborate on others’ projects too! My role in “L’hiver yukonnais” was to tweak the lyrics so they’d be singable in French and English, and to sing as a guide vocal for the children to follow. Pretty cool gig! I was recently reminded of this song so I’d like to share this memory with you all. Today a moose came by to have a snack on our Saskatoon berry bush near our greenhouse. I took the photo through the window to our back yard. I rarely leave my house, so you can imagine how thankful I am to have a beautiful window “view from the couch“!! Listening to the news reminds me how grateful I am to be living at home and in the Yukon, Canada. Your support helps to make that possible by funding my Home Support Workers. I can’t say enough THANKS. Wishing you warmth, peace, good health and a loving Valentines Day! Created with gratitude within the traditional territories of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Kwanlin Dün First Nations and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. CREDITS: Dawson City teachers: Tim and Marie-Eve Music support & production: Peter Menzies and Steve Slade Sung by Nicole Edwards and Dawson’s class of 2008 Recorded and performed by Bob Hamilton and Annie Avery LYRICS: Yukon Winter-L’hiver yukonnais – lyrics-paroles We like snow. On aime la neige. But the dark is depressing, deprimant. The bears are asleep. But the wolves are out. Les ours dorment. Les loups sortent. Walk to school in the dark Even though we’re half asleep The wilderness is wide-awake Les renards, les hibous, les lapins, les loups Les orignaux et les caribous We like snow. On aime la neige We enjoy it while it’s here. C’est l’hiver. La moto neige, le hockey, le ski alpin, la planche a neige, la peche sur glace Hot chocolate by the river Even as we fall asleep The wilderness wakes up Les renards, les hibous, les lapins, les loups Les orignaux et les caribous We like snow. On aime la neige C’est l’hiver au Yukon We love it all. Even the dark. C’est l’hiver au Yukon C’est l’hiver English translation: L’hiver yukonnais = Yukon Winter Les renards, les hibous, les lapins, les loups = Foxes, owls, rabbits, wolves Les orignaux et les caribous = Moose and caribou Les ours. Les loups. = Bears, wolves La moto neige = snowmobiling La planche a neige = snow boarding La peche sur glace = ice fishing |