June 8, 2007
Riding the rails
Musical staffer selected as one of VIA Rail's Artists on Rails
 Dawn Bissett raises the roof with a crew of preschoolers. |
A U of A staffer is taking her show on the road.
This summer, children's entertainer Dawn Bissett will board a train and sing up storm for passengers. Bissett is one of a handful of artists to be chosen for Via Rail's Artists on Rails program, which provides local artists an opportunity to showcase their talent on a cross-Alberta 'muse-cruise.'
After working hours, the Institute for Public Economics administrative assistant teaches music and dance to preschoolers and is a member of The Time Flies, a musical trio that performs for children. All of this keeps Bissett busy - but it's energizing work.
"When I teach preschoolers, one of the best things for me is when I see their faces light up with 'I can do this'," she said. "When they get it, I know I'm making a positive difference and that feels fantastic."
"It's music into joy, into music, and back to me. And it goes round and round. It's very self-perpetuating, especially the young children, they're just unbridled in their receptivity."
Bissett, who has been dancing and playing music from childhood, says her program combines music and dance fundamentals in a way that appeals to the way children learn.
Her work with The Time Flies brings Bissett and her musical cohorts to festivals across Alberta, equipped with musical instruments, zany props and colourful costumes. Her favourite? A housefly costume with a bright blue feather hat.
The group formed in 1998, when Bissett and fellow musicians Karyn Stirling and Connie Collingwood responded to a newspaper ad requesting children's songs for a TV program. The trio teamed up and started writing music. They noticed two curious phenomena: writing songs was loads of fun, and the time was flying by.
Bissett performs with the Artists on Rails program on Aug. 9 (from Edmonton to Jasper), Aug. 11 (Jasper to Edmonton) and Aug. 9-10 at the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre in Jasper. For more information, check out www.musecruise.com/artists_on_rails_2007.htm.
For more information on other performances by The Time Flies visit www.thetimeflies.net/