Photo by Paul Till |
Bringing people to life and life to people: this is what
Maja is really about. She does this with characters, making both
original and historical characters come to life before the audience’s
eyes, and she does it with the audience itself, enlivening all types
and ages
in surprising and moving ways. A published author, singer, writer,
storyteller, and performing artist, Maja has performed with acclaim
from Yukon to Newfoundland,
delighting audiences in theatres, schools, colleges and universities,
libraries, museums, historic sites, and at Festivals and special
events. There are many ways to make people and their stories breathe,
and Maja is able to call on a wide range of skills and experiences to
work her
particular magic. Growing up in Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,
Maja received
training in ballet, creative dance and acting. On moving to Toronto,
she expanded these skills to include writing and vocal work, publishing
two
books of poetry and forming The Maja Bannerman Band, which played extensively
on Toronto’s club circuit and toured throughout Ontario. She
was also a founder of the spoken word performance movement, performing
solo
and with celebrated string player, David Prentice. After living and
performing in Seattle for a few years, Maja returned to Canada, settling
in the Niagara
region she now calls home. Here she has found a new source of inspiration
in the rich history of the area, featuring seminal characters and scenes
from Canada’s past. In both highly comedic and dramatic portrayals,
Maja combines her skills in
writing, music, and performance
to bring
these important
times and
characters imaginatively to life. Maja is also a participant in The
Royal Conservatory
of Music’s Learning Through the Arts Program (LTTA) and works
extensively in schools teaching through drama and music.
Recipient, Canada Council of the Arts Award
Recipient, Service Excellence Award, Ontario Ministry of Tourism’s
Education Program
Recipient, Niagara-on-the-Lake Citizen’s Appreciation Award
Founder and Board Member, NOTL Storytelling Festival
Member, Niagara-on-the Lake Chamber of Commerce; League of Canadian Poets;
SOCAN; Niagara Historical Society & Museum, Friends of the Library
Member of Binational Tourism Alliance
|
