TheSpoken Word Youth Choir (SWYC)was born atYouthWrite2007 and had its world premiere at Axis Cafe in Edmonton on September 21, 2007, as part of The Roar Spoken Word Festival and the Edmonton Poetry Festival.
SWYCis a professional spoken word troupe: part Greek chorus, part improvisers, part poets and hip hop artists. We are unique to Canada.
Training
and rehearsals are rigorous prior to performances, and are focused on
speech arts, choral speaking, singing and breathing techniques. To be a part ofSWYC is to commit to practice, repetition, and scheduling around busy lives. But the rewards are plentiful!
In addition, SWYC members perform individually and as a group for numerous charitable and educational functions. SWYCis under the direction of creator, Gail Sidonie Sobat.
Auditions for SWYCoccur periodically as needed.
Clockwise:
Gail Sidonie Sobat (Creator/Director), Jade Morrison, Dakota Elliott,
Ben Davies, Erika Luckert, Sierra Elliott, Kati Buhler, Lauren Seal,
Katrusia Lahola; Centre (right to left): Maren Elliott and Peter Takach. (Photo by Geoff McMaster)
Current Members:Charlotte Cranston, Ben Davies, Liam Dextraze, Dakota Elliott, Sierra Elliott, Dylan Evans, Katrusia Lahola, Lauren Seal, Peter Takach.
Past Members: Jodi Butler, Elise Dextraze, Maren Elliott, Erika Luckert, Jade Morrison, Cindy Pereira, Kati Buhler.
SYWC's Performances:
Spring Awakening Cabaret, 2011, 2012
Spruce Grove Winter Games 2012, Spruce Grove, AB
YouthWrite 2011, 2012
Who Are We and What Matters? Gala, Centre High Campus, Edmonton - January 2011
Calgary International Spoken Word Festival - April 2010, 2011
SWYC Fundraiser - March 2010
WordsWorth - 2008, 2009
Edmonton Poetry Festival - 2009
Steeps Tea House - 2009
Edmonton Restorative Justice Network, Edmonton City Hall, 2009
Canadian Authors Association's CANWRITE Conference - 2008
