SOTA Tuesday Lunchtime Concerts: Cris Derksen (Classical and Traditional Indigenous Music with Hoop Dancer)

In a world where almost everything — people, music, cultures — get labelled and slotted into simple categories, CRIS DERKSEN represents a challenge. Originally from Northern Alberta she comes from a line of chiefs from North Tall Cree Reserve on her father’s side and a line of strong Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s.

A multiple award-winning and Juno-nominated Canadian Aboriginal cellist, Cris is known for building layers of sound into captivating performances. Her music braids the traditional and contemporary in multiple dimensions, weaving her classical training and her aboriginal ancestry with new school electronics, creating genre defying music. The live experience is further enriched with the inclusion of riveting performances by acclaimed Anishinaabe Hoop Dancer Nimkii Osawamick, and award winning drummer Jesse Baird, who ties the trio together with his signature and inventive improvisation.