WHO IS JUNE’S CHILD?

“Heard any good jokes?”

Apparently benign, a tyrant lurks within. But plays well with others: Sitarski,  Dann, Wiebe, Quarrington, Dwyer, Piltch, and Goldsmith; also with May’s Mystery Child – Winona Zelenka (July 29).

“So….what else?”

Collaborators have included  Peggy Baker, Sarah Slean, Tom McCamus, Shauna Rolston, Ted Dykstra, Michael Ondaatje and Steven Page. Perhaps he’s playing on a pan with a shovel to explore the art of time. Or digging into what it takes to break down barriers of culture and genre. Think you know who our mystery child is? Send your best guess to musicschildren@
thewholenote.com. Please provide your mailing address just in case your name is drawn! Winners will be selected by random draw among correct replies received by June 20, 2010.

May’s Child Winona Zelenka

Cellist Winona Zelenka lives in Etobicoke, in Toronto, with her husband, audio engineer Ron Searles (an enthusiastic amateur violinist); daughter Kathryn, who sings; son James, who also plays cello in his spare time; and Felix, an orange cat who likes to eat bow-hairs when Winona’s back is turned.

Earliest memory of music?
My earliest memory is singing in Sunday School! I was probably about four: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”. Everyone knows that one!

Other family musicians?
My father was a professional flautist in Slovakia before emigrating to Canada, then taught high school music in Espanola, Ontario. My mom was a pianist and organist, and played with me for Kiwanis festivals; she always had a job playing organ in church, too, and still does!

At the time of the photo?
I would’ve been around six years old: Mom would take all three of us to Sudbury every week for Suzuki lessons. My sister played violin and piano, my brother guitar. Dad was still practising and playing at the high school sometimes. Music was a daily thing, even if it was just a few minutes of playing – Mom made it consistent for us. They both had the very European approach that learning music should be part of growing up for every kid. Dad played his LPs all the time – romantic orchestral works – great players like Heifetz and Rubenstein.

Making music alone?
I started on piano, probably at around age four, then cello at four-and-a-half. I remember playing at home in our house in Espanola – I remember the white tape on the little cello I started on, that shows you where to put your fingers. My first cello teacher, who I’m still in touch with, is a remarkably sensitive person with a perpetually enquiring mind; she never lost patience with me and always tried to find ways to get around my stubbornness and frustration.

And with others?
I balked at playing the cello, till there was a group Suzuki performance when I was five or so, and I refused to play. When I saw the applause the other kids were getting, I said hey! I can do that too! My jealousy of the others caused me to pick up the cello and show my stuff.
My family moved to Toronto when I was nine. The move was prompted by two things – my Dad had been teaching music at Espanola High School, but did not like it, and decided to change careers – so he ended up going to the Chiropractic College in Toronto. He never went back to teaching music. The other reason was to find me more advanced training, which they knew they could get in Toronto. My teacher in Sudbury knew Bill Findlay of the TSO – they had both studied with Ronald Leonard at Eastman years back. I think my parents also had the idea of me going to the Conservatory, which I eventually did.
Read the full interview online at thewholenote.com.

MAY'S WINNERS & PRIZES: CONGRATULATIONS!
HERE'S WHAT THEY WON
• Mandy Lam: A pair of tickets to attend the launch of Winona Zelenka's two-CD Marquis Classics recording, J. S.Bach: Six Suites for Solo Cello, with a performance on Sunday, June 6 (note the 3pm starting time). Winona takes centre stage at Glenn Gould Studio to perform Bach's hauntingly beautiful Suites 1, 2 and 6. Prize includes a copy of the CD.

• Louie Calleja: And a friend will be guests of Stratford Summer Music to hear Winona Zelenka play one of the six solo cello studies in the "Bach at Rundles" series: an intimate 11am performance followed by a delectable three-course luncheon at Rundles Restaurant in Stratford. A "suite" way to enjoy a Sunday in July or August (date to be arranged with the presenter).

• Paul Sayer: Two tickets to hear Winona Zelenka perform at the Toronto Summer Music Festival with Andrew Burashko and the Art of Time Ensemble, in Musical Transformations: Erich Korngold: Source & Inspiration on Thursday July 29 (8:00pm, Walter Hall). This intriguingly creative concert linking the 20th and 21st centuries features a Korngold suite and the new songs it has inspired.

• Julie Goldstein: Wins a copy of Winona's brand new CD, J. S. Bach: Six Suites for Solo Cello on Marquis Classics (MAR 509). Winona says "I continue to believe that there is nothing in human experience that can't be said with this amazing music." We're sure you will agree.

Music’s Children gratefully acknowledges Francine, Ron, Kathryn, Luisa, John, Cecilia, Stratford Summer Music, Toronto Summer Music, and Marquis Classics.

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