Traditional performer talks up choir
Inuksuk Drum Dancers member encourages
young people to join
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, May 30, 2016
IQALUIT
Only in Grade 11 but already a veteran of stage performance, Tooma Laisa thanks her involvement with the Inuksuk Drum Dancers for taking her to the next level of confidence and opportunities.
Tooma Laisa encourages students entering high school to join the choir program. Being part of the Inuksuk Drum Dancers has helped her gain confidence on stage. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo |
"When I first joined choir I had no idea this is where I'd be," said Laisa during singing practice at Inuksuk High School.
"I didn't know we would be performing in all these places and I would have all these opportunities."
She's always enjoyed singing and choir, but it wasn't until the high school program that she got to really dive deep into it.
Performing makes her happy, she said, as does singing with other people and not just herself.
Anyone in Iqaluit, and likely anyone in Nunavut or even nationwide who follows Inuit arts, knows of the Inuksuk Drum Dancers.
The group, which shows off Inuit culture through song and performance, has performed on many stages and at different events, including recently at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland.
Laisa said performing at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa was a highlight for her.
"Being in choir definitely did help me to go up on stage and not be shy to talk about myself," she said.
She recommends younger students entering high school to join the choir.
"I had no idea what I was going up for but it just happened to change my perspective," she said. "I have got so many opportunities, and they were unexpected. They come along and it changes your life. It changes everything. Being in choir, you're not just performing and you're not just singing on stage, you're meeting new people, performing with great people you practise with and you cope with and you learn the tradition and culture."
In the future, she hopes to get more involved in theatre and performing arts.
Recently, she had an opportunity to meet artists from around Nunavut, and she hopes to meet more artists from around the world.
"Choir's great," said Laisa. "I'm really happy that I joined and it's brought me to another place where I never thought I would go."
