Music Became My Voice

Interview with Janna Sailor

"Music in turn, teaches us more about ourselves and others," says Calgary conductor and violinist Janna Sailor in the latest issue of La Scena Musicale. In the article entitled “Music became my voice”, Janna talks about how music had a profound and transformative impact on her life. Since the release of the story, she has been receiving overwhelming support and response from people around the world. 

“It is humbling to have my story shared by La Scena Musicale. I originally wrote it as a speech for the Coalition for Music Education Youth4Music Leadership Symposium in hopes to encourage and support young musicians. It was a liberating experience writing the story itself. And now that the story has been shared to a much broader audience, it is encouraging knowing the story has affected and supported many people – many women, in fact.”

Originally from rural Saskatchewan, she began her musical studies at the age of three and performing with professional orchestras at the age of thirteen. While her life at home was a struggle, she found solace in practicing and playing with a youth orchestra.

“The impact of music on our lives cannot be underestimated. Music education and access to it deserve our protection, advocacy and a place of honour and respect in our society. The influence of teachers, mentors and youth orchestra conductors in my life was profoundly life-changing.” 

Janna is the founder and artistic director of Vancouver's Allegra Chamber Orchestra, an all-female ensemble dedicated to empowering women and their communities through music. When asked about a plan to create a group with a social-action mandate in Calgary, Janna says she would love to. 

“We have just started discussing creating such a group in Calgary, and then COVID happened and slowed the process,” says Janna. “It is still one of my projects and I’m hopeful that once the pandemic is over, people will be hungry for interconnectivity the music brings. And it’ll be a great time for a new ensemble to form. In the meantime, tap into other means of expression – write a letter, do a painting, colour, beautify your home. Express ourselves in other ways, look at things we neglected. The pandemic has given us the time to develop ourselves. Connect with others. When we are out of the pandemic, many people will know that the music is what got us through life and provided direction.”

Janna recently guest conducted the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra and is scheduled to guest conduct Symphony New Brunswick in March. For more information on Janna Sailor, visit www.jannasailor.com.

Interview by Tokie Brideaux | Calgary Classical