Forget's fiddling force of nature, Michele Amy, has been nominated for a prestigious provincial award that recognizes her many musical accomplishments-the Lieutenant Governor's Arts Award (Arts and Learning). However, no matter what the outcome at the Oct. 28 Saskatchewan Arts Board awards ceremony in Saskatoon, Amy feels as though she's already won.
"I've known that I was shortlisted since June," says Amy. "But I didn't want to talk. I think I've already won, no matter what happens, because of the people who nominated me and all of the amazing letters of support for my nomination. Some of my absolute heroes in the fiddling community have written, as well as my current students, their parents, and some of my students from across Canada."
The Arts and Learning Award recognizes and celebrates a Saskatchewan educator who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the arts and learning. The nomination recognizes Amy's role in creating and continuing the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, as well as her ongoing efforts to promote traditional Canadian fiddle music in southeastern Saskatchewan by mentoring and teaching fiddlers of all ages.
"It was a surprise to be to me nominated. It's a rigorous process. It's a lot of work just to assemble the supporting documents."
As a fellow educator and as a mother of one of Amy's students, Joan Bue of Carlyle says, "I believe Michele Amy fits the criteria for this award perfectly. It's hard to explain the impact that Michele has had on the lives of her students. She has that remarkable skill of a true educator to find that spark that lies in each and every student and set it aflame. Once it's lit, there's no stopping that desire to learn and grow as a musician. During the year, she teaches out of her home studio as well as travelling to other communities to instruct an amazing number of fiddle students, ranging in age from three to 83. She never stops thinking about how to improve learning for her students. And she makes it fun! In the summer, the fun continues during the month of August with her Kenosee Lake Kids' Camp, as well as the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party."
"Michele's vision for a music camp-an extended 'Kitchen Party' that grew out of her own kitchen in her own house will continue to thrive into the future, thanks to her innovative teacher-in-training program. As these future teachers and leaders set off on the adventure called life, one can see that pebble in the pond-spreading music and joy throughout Saskatchewan and the world. I can think of no one that meets that criteria for this award quite like Michele."
Typically, Amy is immersing herself in music and instead of resting on her laurels, she is working on her next project.
"I'm in the middle of a massive project this year. It's a lot of fun and it involves 60 of my students. It's called 'The Fiddle History of Canada'. It's Gordon Stobbe's production. He and JJ Guy are both stellar fiddlers in high, high demand and they will not only be working on the production with us, they'll be doing workshops at schools in the area, too."
"We're partnering with Cornerstone Theatre. It's very exciting. It tells the history of our country through the point of view of the fiddle. Not only is the music great, but the scriptwriting is stellar. It's set to hit the stage at the end of April, beginning of May. It'll be great."
"There are so many people in the province doing such wonderful things. It's nice to have fiddling in a prominent spot and to have traditional music in Saskatchewan in a prominent spot."
