Canada’s first and only Inuk classical soloist and recording artist, Deantha Edmunds, has performed on stages across the world. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Edmunds is a laureate of the prestigious Hnatyshyn Foundation REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards.
In 2016 Edmunds was nominated for the ECMA Aboriginal Artist of the Year Award for her recording “Pillorikput Inuit: Inuktitut Arias for All Seasons.” Her recently released solo EP, “My Beautiful Home” features three beloved songs from Newfoundland and Labrador that marry her identity as an Inuk with her training and passion for classical music.
In the spring of 2018, Edmunds was the soprano soloist in “Makkipok!”, a unique program of Labrador Inuit Music with renowned Lady Cove Women’s Choir, Newman Sound Men’s Choir and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra in St. John’s. Edmunds also presented a program of solo Inuktitut arias and her own compositions as part of the Cecilia Concert series in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
On Canada Day, 2018, a new composition, “Song of the River”, arranged for string quartet and choir, was performed by Nunatsiavut’s Inuit youth choir “Ullugiagâtsuk” in St John’s, Newfoundland. The event entitled “… float…” was an immersive choral experience that was part of the Canadian Choral Conductors Association 2018 Podium Festival.
Edmunds performed at the Inuit Circumpolar Conference in Utqiagvik, Alaska in July, 2018. Delegates from Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia gathered to share information and strengthen the bonds between all Inuit.
Edmunds uses her talents for writing and music composition to empower Indigenous people and share their stories. An urban Inuk, she explores and embraces her Indigenous identity through poetry and song.
Recent performances include the role of Spirit/Mother in the world premiere of the ground-breaking new opera “Shanawdithit” with Tapestry Opera and Opera on the Avalon in Toronto and St. John’s, NL in May and June, 2019.
August and September of 2019 will bring performances of an original show Edmunds created with Anishinaabe dancer/choreographer Sarain Fox and Xara Choral Theatre. “Rings Through Water” will debut in Halifax and tour Nova Scotia.
Upcoming performances also include Soundstreams’ Indigenous opera double-bill “Two Odysseys” in Toronto in November, 2019.