Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Artist Carol Welsman Performs at "Havergal at Koerner Hall" to Celebrate Havergal College's 120th Anniversary

TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Havergal College alumna Carol Welsman, one of Canada's finest jazz vocalists and pianists, will be sharing the stage at Havergal at Koerner Hall on November 20, 2014. Highlighting the importance of the arts throughout Havergal College's history, the evening celebrates the school's 120 years of excellence in education.

"As a successful international artist, Ms. Welsman continues to fulfill her dream – recording, performing and songwriting – that she says started at Havergal so many years ago," says Helen-Kay Davy, Principal of Havergal College. "What makes Havergal special is how much the school supports and values the arts. The opportunity to participate in so many art forms at Havergal has a significant and lasting impact on our students as well as on the lives of those who teach and learn here."

At the event, Ms. Welsman (Class of 1978) will be performing a set with recent alumna Ariel Shetzen (Class of 2013), who is currently studying jazz music performance at the University of Toronto, along with Ms. Welsman's band and some of Havergal's own faculty.

"I have been looking forward to this concert for many reasons, especially to be able to perform with Havergal students, past and present, and faculty. It is a way to show my appreciation to Havergal for the guidance and support everyone gave me at the beginning of my music studies. I have such fond memories of my schooling at Havergal. Two of my closest friends were classmates of mine there," Ms. Welsman says.

Havergal at Koerner Hall will be a magical night that brings together members of the Havergal community – parents, faculty, staff and alumnae (Old Girls) with more than 200 Havergal student performers involved in band, strings and vocal music, the dance troupe, the fine art program and the drama program.

The artistic talents of Havergal students are well-known and celebrated. Earlier this year: the Grade 7 Concert Band and the Symphonic Concert Band won gold and silver, respectively, at the 42nd Annual MusicFest Canada competition; five students in Grades 10 and 11 had their photographs on display at the PhotoSensitive Aging in the 21st Century exhibit; the Senior Choir won gold at the Ontario Vocal Festival; 14 visual arts students donated their artwork for a charity fundraiser; Drama students participated in artistic street performances to support Tokens 4 Change; and 28 Grade 11 students had their sketchbooks on display with The Sketchbook Project, a global traveling library of artists' books.

Since 1894, Havergal College has been committed to providing a strong liberal arts education for its students. "Havergal's approach to the arts is an interdisciplinary process that supports meaningful learning across subject areas. The skills students learn from the arts – including creativity, confidence, problem-solving, collaboration and dedication – are ones that will help them be successful in whatever career they choose," Mrs. Davy says. "With more than 9,000 alumnae around the world, Havergal College has nurtured the careers of women in nearly every profession, including the arts, sciences, athletics, politics and business, many of whom are pioneers in their field. As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we will honour our past traditions as we look forward to our exciting future."

For tickets to the event on November 20, 2014 at 7 pm, please visit http://bit.ly/HCKoernerHall or call the Koerner Hall Box Office at 416-408-0208. Please note that Ms. Welsman's performance on stage is 30 minutes in total.

About Havergal College
A leading independent day and boarding school for girls (JK to Grade 12) in Toronto, Havergal College has been preparing young women to make a difference since 1894. For more information about Havergal College, visit http://www.havergal.on.ca.  

About Carol Welsman
Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. Coming from a musical family (her grandfather was the founder and first conductor of the Toronto Symphony), she has studied in the U.S. (at Berklee College of Music) and Europe, and released eight albums since her first CD, Lucky To Be Me in 1995. Her numerous achievements include six Juno Award nominations and several Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. She has become well-established as an international artist, touring the world, and performing in English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. For more information, visit http://www.carolwelsman.com.   

SOURCE: Havergal College

To arrange an interview with Carol Welsman, Ariel Shetzen and Havergal College faculty and students, contact Young Um, Director of Communications, Havergal College, 416-482-4705, [email protected]