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About Us and Our Mission

Music is arguably the most life-enriching academic subject of them all. A universal
language that triggers emotional responses and kickstarts creativity like no other,
music is a fundamental pillar of arts education.


With the rapid decline of specialist string tuition in schools, the appreciation and
understanding of the cognitive skills needed to play will be in danger of
disappearing forever, along with the traditional role of stringed instruments in
Canadian culture. Many aspects of Georgian Bay heritage are embedded in fiddle
playing and the joy of engaging in social music making.


Hence the emergence of a brand new local non-profit organization that strives to
advocate and provide high quality music programming for young students and
adults to explore the amazing world of folk fiddling.


Northern Spirit Music has been set up to provide a unique opportunity to
develop and reclaim the cultural traditions of the Georgian Bay area. This will also
embrace opportunities for composing and creating new music inspired by our
local surroundings and community. The organization aims to work with many
other partners in the area and has already gained respect and support from
various organizations. The program will be staffed by highly qualified and
experienced teachers. Northern Spirit Music Board is comprised of experienced
educators and professionals who have knowledge of how to develop string
programs in the area. The educational ethos is rooted in the 4R’s approach to
cross- cultural experience in learning music- Respect, Reciprocity, Reconciliation
and Relevance. This is an equal opportunity learning experience for everyone of
all ages. The emphasis is on having fun whilst acquiring enviable skills!
Northern Spirit Music curriculum includes opportunities to learn other bowed
stringed instruments that complement the folk genres studied.
These include cello and bass. Instruments are available for hire at very affordable
rates.


If you wish to find out further details, enroll in lessons, or offer support, please reach out through our contact page, via email at northernspiritmusic.on@gmail.com, or by phone.

Full-Moon-Over-Forest

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to honour that we live, work, learn and play
music on the traditional homelands of many nations and
now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis
people. This land is also home to many of our animal and
plant relations as well as our sacred waters. Georgian Bay

is the traditional and Treaty territory of the Anishinabek

people, now known as the Chippewa Tri-Council comprised

of Beausoleil First Nation, Rama First Nation, and Georgina

Island First Nation. This territory is within the pre-confederation

Treaty 5 and Treaty 16, therefore we humbly respect the

heritage and culture of the area.

Meet Our Teacher!

Hilary Braime

Music Director- Hilary Braime B. A. (Hons), Adv.Dip RAM. L.T.C.L., L.W.C.M.D., P.G.C.E.

​

Born in South Wales, Hilary first started to play bass with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and through a junior scholarship, studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Hilary then went to London to study double bass with Robin McGee (Principal Bass London Symphony Orchestra) at the Royal Academy of Music on the Advanced Performer’s Course. During this time, Hilary funded her studies by teaching double bass for Buckinghamshire and also at the Croydon Music Centre. On leaving the Royal Academy, Hilary was appointed double bass teacher for the Leicestershire School of Music. 

 

Having gained significant experience as a string coach, she set up a mini – bass project, so that younger children could access the instrument. Through involvement with a Gulbenkian Foundation Scholarship, Hilary was invited to study in Lyons, France with Dr S. Suzuki (1982) where she learned to apply his violin teaching methods to her string teaching. During her time in Leicestershire, Hilary was an active professional musician, playing with The East of England Orchestra (Sinfonia Viva) ‘Serenata’, a professional string quintet based in Leicestershire, as well as Buxton Opera House at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, The Carl Rosa Opera (1997 revival) Leicester Chamber Orchestra, Nottingham Harmonic Society and numerous operatic societies and community  orchestras. Hilary regards it a privilege to have  worked with some of the finest youth orchestras in the U.K., including the Cambridgeshire Youth Orchestra as well as touring Europe with the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra and tutoring bass at the prestigious Uppingham School in Rutland.

 

Hilary moved to Canada in 2014 and plays double bass with the Huronia Symphony Orchestra. From 2015 Hilary has worked as a string teacher in the local area and enjoys teaching fiddle at the local Metis Friendship Centre in Midland. Hilary recently developed a passionate interest in traditional folk music and has completed a course in Indigenous Studies with the University of Alberta.

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