With the generous support of ArtsNL, the Tuckamore Festival presents the alumni ensemble, the Edge String Quartet, in ten schools between May 12-16 in the Burin and Avalon peninsulas. As the Tuckamore Festival reaches its 25th anniversary year, this tour underscores the impact and legacy of the festival in its sustained education and outreach activities by some of our outstanding alumni.
The quartet will present “The Journey of Water” a program designed to provoke thought about the importance of water to our existence – not only for our health and economy but also as a key part of cultural and social practices, inspiring rituals and works of art. Since the late 20th century, scientists have warned of the environmental crises resulting from unsustainable practices and overuse of natural water resources. Water scarcity is now the most pressing issue in a number of countries, including Mexico and the Dominican Republic, home countries of quartet members Elena, Rosaura, and Nulibeth. One of the purposes of this presentation is to share their own experiences and perspectives relating to water sustainability outside of Canada, but also provoke thought about water challenges closer to home.
Alternating between musical performances and spoken elements, The Journey of Water will explore water’s finite nature and drinking water quality worldwide, including Newfoundland. The quartet will discuss how human activities impact and benefit from water, and its vital role in global ecosystems.
Formed in 2022, the Edge String Quartet, has been praised for their engaging performances and unified interpretations. Comprised of Rosaura Aguilar (viola), Nulibeth Ortiz (cello), Nataie Finn and Elena Vigna Sanchez (violins), the group has collaborated with the Strong Harbour Strings Program which included guiding a chamber music workshop and performing on a family-friendly fundraising concert. As music educators, they fervently believe that Arts serve as a powerful tool for fostering reflection, processing our personal experiences, and developing empathy and compassion for others. All four members all alumni of the Tuckamore Young Artist programs and members of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
Rosaura Aguilar is an accomplished violist originally from Mexico City. She began her professional training at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she honed her skills and developed a deep passion for music. Since relocating to Canada in September 2022, Rosaura has completed a Master’s degree in Music Performance and Pedagogy at Memorial University of Newfoundland and will be starting a second Master’s degree in Viola Performance in Fall 2024.
Since 2023, Rosaura has been a member of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and actively participates in chamber music and solo performances. She performs a diverse range of viola repertoire, including both traditional and contemporary pieces, and has participated in the Tuckamore Festival in 2023 in St. John’s, NL. Additionally, Rosaura collaborates with the Strong Harbour Strings music teaching program, aiming to enrich the lives of children and youth in the community of St. John’s, NL, through high-quality musical education.
Natalie Finn is a violinist from Carbonear, Newfoundland. As an active performer in the St. John’s area, she plays with various large ensembles including the Opera on the Avalon Orchestra and Kittiwake Dance Theatre Orchestra. She has been a member of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra since 2014. Natalie also performs with chamber ensembles Duo NorthEast and Edge String Quartet.
Natalie completed a Bachelor of Music (Honours, Violin Performance) and Master of Music (Performance/Pedagogy) at Memorial University, studying with professor Nancy Dahn. During her time at Memorial, Natalie performed with their chamber music program and with the MUN Chamber Orchestra. Natalie has performed with the Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival (St. John’s, NL) and the Soundscape Festival (Cesena, Italy).
With over a decade of experience in private teaching, Natalie is committed to fostering artistic expression and high levels of technical proficiency in her students. Natalie is excited to be returning to Memorial to pursue a Bachelor of Music Education in September of 2024.
A graduate of the National Conservatory of Music of the Dominican Republic (DR), cellist Nulibeth Ortiz has been a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of the DR since 2012 and has performed in Peru, USA, Haiti, and Germany. She recently performed in the Newfound Music Festival and was a Young Artist at the Tuckamore Festival in 2022 and 2023 and toured across the province as part of the inaugural Tuckamore Travels Series. A talented and versatile performer, Nulibeth enjoys collaborating on interdisciplinary pieces, genre-fusing projects, and adventures in musical exploration with fellow composers in the creation of new music. Currently, she studies in Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) with Dr. Vernon Regehr, and she frequently performs in the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO). Her recent accomplishments include being awarded the Music’s Future Scholarship 2023 by the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) and winning the 2024 MUN Concerto Competition. Nulibeth performs on the prestige “1933 Mougenot Cello” which was generously donated to MUN School of Music by the Estate of Rita Love.
Elena Vigna Sanchez is a Mexican musician who has been residing in St. John’s, NL since 2017. After completing her Bachelor of Music degree (honours) in Aguascalientes, Mexico, Elena came to Memorial University of Newfoundland to further her education. She earned two master’s degrees in music: Performance and Performance/Pedagogy under the guidance of Dr. Nancy Dahn.
Since 2021, Elena has been a member of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, playing in the second violin section. Her passion for playing and teaching the violin has taken her to various stages across Mexico, Canada, the Philippines, and South Korea. Her love for chamber music led her to participate in the Tuckamore Festival in 2018. Elena runs her private studio and is a faculty member at the Suzuki Talent Education Program in St. John’s. She also serves as the chamber music coach for the Calos Youth Orchestra. In addition to the Edge String Quartet, Elena also performs in the violin duo North East and shares her Latin American musical culture as a member of the NL Latin Band.