OnnanoKo Drumming Ensemble is a vibrant and dynamic group who began with a goal to create a new sound by combining traditional Japanese rhythms with western musical influences. These vivacious young female musicians first blended their musical desires while studying at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music. Under the guidance of Kiyoshi Nagata (Nagata Shachu), OnnanoKo's debut performance in April 2004 featured original compositions as well as new arrangements of traditional pieces. They have appeared as featured soloists with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as part of their Young People's Concert Series. OnnanoKo has participated in Operaworks, in conjunction with the Canadian Opera Company directing workshops for younger children. They have been invited to perform multiple times in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the Four Season’s Centre for the Performing Arts as part of the Canadian Opera Company’s Noon Hour Concert Series. OnnanoKo recently performed at Rideau Hall for the 2009 Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. Other recent engagements include performing at the Kincardine Summer Music Festival, Trillium Lakelands Arts Camp, Drums Along the Niagara, and the Forest Festival in Haliburton. The group is currently working on new and innovative compositions that will draw from their experience with the music of a variety of world cultures. OnnanoKo delivers unique and impressive, power-house performances not to be missed!

Members of OnnanoKo:

Laura Chambers began her flute studies at the age of seven. She has since had the privilege of working with such artists as members of Nexus and composer Steve Reich. She has studied privately primarily with Patrick Gallois, Susan Hoeppner, Amy Hamilton and Dianne Aitken. As a soloist she is also making waves as the winner of numerous concerto competitions and a featured soloist with the Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Orchestra, and the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra. She has also received numerous scholarships and awards, all for excellence in musical artistry. A strong interest in music of other cultures has led her to pursue studies in both the Japanese and Irish flute and has lent her talents to recordings for the Naxos label. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Flute Performance in spring 2005 from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music. Laura has since been performing and teaching throughout the G.T.A, as well as pursuing studies in performance psychology through the University of Waterloo.

laurachambers@onnanokodrumming.com

Charlene Jack received her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto, where she studied with Russell Hartenberger, Beverley Johnston, Robin Engelman, and Kiyoshi Nagata. She has performed and recorded with members of Nexus, the Toronto Wind Orchestra, Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra, Kekeli West African Ensemble, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale and Habobo Dance Ensemble, and has toured throughout Europe with various orchestras. Charlene studied Bodhran in Ireland with Brian Morrissey and John Joe Kelly (Flook) and is currently completing her MA Ethnomusicology dissertation, entitled “Beating the Bounds: The Bodhran in Traditional Irish Music.”

charlene@onnanokodrumming.com

Tricia Mangat is a percussionist of great diversity who can perform on any classical percussion instrument and play music from a variety of cultures. She has performed with the renowned percussion ensemble Nexus and has appeared as a guest artist with percussion soloist Beverley Johnston at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Tricia had the opportunity to take part in the prologue to R. Murray Schafer's Patria Cycle, "The Princess of the Stars".  She is the recipient of many awards including the Ontario Graduate Scholarship which allowed her to obtain a Master's Degree in Performance from the University of Toronto in June 2007. This past spring, she was a guest artist with the York Symphony Orchestra performing Ney Roasauro's, Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra. Tricia performs with a variety of ensembles in the Toronto area along with teaching and conducting percussion workshops near her home in Richmond Hill, Ontario. 

Laura Savage is a well rounded musician and music educator with diverse influences and experiences.  She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto, where she studied with Beverley Johnston, John Rudolph, and Russell Hartenberger.  As a percussionist she has appeared with many orchestras in the G.T.A.   As an educator, she has taught privately for over six years, and now teaches music to primary students for Musiq Club in Toronto public schools.  She is also an avid drum kit player who has performed in venues such as the El Mocambo, Lula Lounge, and Horseshoe Tavern with various groups.  She has appeared on City Tv's Breakfast Television and been reviewed in Now Magazine.  For fun, Laura plays fiddle and percussion, in an eclectic trio of freaks and geeks with fellow musicians and friends, David St. Bernard & Paul Evans.

laurasavage@onnanokodrumming.com