ROSALEE PEPPARD - Voice of Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
"For 100 years, Halifax has passed the test of character. We have taken care of the graves of those who were not claimed after the disaster with an attitude of sacredness. It’s a beautiful thing." Rosalee Peppard - Halifax Chronicle Herald
"Living Titanic - A Musical Memoir of Nova Scotia's Only Survivor: Hilda Mary Slayter" created & performed by Rosalee Peppard, costume by Lark. - Halifax Chronicle Herald
Titanic 100, Rosalee and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic - Halifax Chronicle Herald
Peppard's music is steeped in the sea. She is bringing the rich Maritime past to life in song. - TORONTO STAR
Her clear, true voice is reminiscent of a young Nana Mouskouri's but her subject matter is more like Stan Rogers' or Gordon Lightfoot's. - Halifax Chronicle Herald
Nova Scotia Museum calls Rosalee Peppard a True Partner in Heritage. We applaud Rosalee's commitment to heritage: her extensive research to rediscover stories of Nova Scotian women of the past, her ability to weave facts of history into words & music, and her talent in presenting her original songs to audiences in magical, musical performances.
Her voice is stunning and I cannot say enough about her flexibility, professionalism & tenacious dedication to performing music that promotes the history of Canadian women. Her music is a gift to every Nova Scotian. - Judith Shiers-Milne, NSM
Her clear, true voice is reminiscent of a young Nana Mouskouri's but her subject matter is more like Stan Rogers' or Gordon Lightfoot's. - Halifax Chronicle Herald
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
2013: Rosalee's "Laura Secord" from her "legacy" album, was chosen as a theme song for 1813 Laura Secord's bicentennial commemorative year.
2012 Highlights: Creating & touring "Living Titanic" www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFxpEUuoPFA which Rosalee continues to tour
- featured on Rich Warren's Folkstage/Midnight Special in Chicago - thanks Rich!
And the 95th Anniversary Commemoration of the Halifax Harbour Explosion in song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_n-jMYxRfg
Bio
Through Rosalee's award-winning oral history research from interviewing elder maritime women, she has transcribed those rich Canadian East Coast stories, written them in "Song Portraits". Add her vast repertoire of familiar standards and traditional songs, and audiences sail through time and culture in true tales of grace & guts, trials & triumphs, hope & hilarity on a Canadian seascape of song. Her brilliantly-crafted, moving ballads, & songs with driving rhythms, enchant, entertain, & educate audiences of all ages. - every show is generously "peppered" with wit! Rosalee accompanies herself on Canadian made acoustic & classical guitars and dulcimers. Ever hear Neil Diamond on Dulcimer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB6n7bu0dbM
Her shows offer Variety for all types of audiences. In additon to her own music, she sings Traditional & Contemporary Folk, Pop covers & Standards; Gospel, Wartime & Seasonal songs as events dictate; & Children's music, and sing-alongs. She mesmerizes with her shimmering vocal mastery & her unique instrumental arrangements.
Contact: info@rosalee.ca
Awards: For her East Coast Heritage work, she's received a Colchester Heritage Award, and 2 Dr Helen Creighton Folklore Research Awards.
For Schools, Festivals & Community Involvement:
Concerts
Vocal Singing/Choral Workshops
Emcee
Senior's concerts with singalongs
Children's workshops
Historical/musical interactive presentations for Schools & Community groups
2013-14 Rosalee has added "War Of 1812 Women" to her show and a new bowed dulcimer too!
2012 was an exciting year! Rosalee created a new maritime women's history period performance piece called "Living Titanic". It is a "spellbinding" musical memoir of Nova Scotia's only Titanic Survivor Hilda Mary Slayter Lacon. The perspective of the show is taken from Hilda's Mother's wisdom: "Life is a test of character, not a time of frivolity" and honours the heros who in their darkest hour, stepped up and sacrificed themselves for others.
Rosalee as Hilda, in stunning 1912 couturier costume by Lark, reinacts her actual eyewitness account of her experience of Titanic's demise, as well as her life as a debutante in Halifax and dramatic life married to a British aristocrat; and with precision weaves her story with songs of the Edwardian era Hilda actually sang and were played on Titanic. Rosalee has also created 2 new songs for Living Titanic: "Ship Of Dreams" honouring Halifax's 100 year vigil for the 150 of Titanic's Lost buried in her heart; and "Hilda Mary Slayter - April 1912" - her life story. Rosalee has been delighted to work with fiddler Kate Dunlay. Living Titanic is available for performance.
Children's connection: Rosalee teamed up with John Driemen of Northwest Arm Press who has featured her new song: "The Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Blues", (with NS Bluesman, John Campbelljohn on slide blues guitar), on a free drop-card published in the new children's book: "WILD ONES!" written by Patty Muir and available online for $12.95 at Chapters & Coles, or at a local bookstore. Rosalee's song spearheads Nova Scotia's annual WIld Blueberry season in August.
Selected Past Performance Highlights:
Folk Stage & The Midnight Special with Rich Warren, Chicago, IL
Marigold Cultural Centre, Truro, NS
Rose & Kettle Concert Series
Emerald Concert Series, Hollywood FL
Miramichi Folksong Festival
Neptune Theatre, Halifax
Alderney Landing, Dartmouth
CITY ROOTS CITY WIDE FOLK FESTIVAL, Toronto, ON
SUMMERFOLK, Owen Sound, Ontario
Command Performance: NS Government House
Live Bait Theatre, Sackville, NB
Astor Theatre, Liverpool, NS
DeCoste Centre, Pictou, NS
Memberships:
AFM Local 571
SOCAN, Songwriters Assoc Of Canada
MNS, Helen Creighton Folklore Society (Board)
Titanic Society of Atlantic Canada
Links
