Guitars Alive on March 31st in support of Joan Mantle Music Trust

Featured artist Jamie Dupuis and his guest JoAnne Landry will perform at Guitars Alive on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Lockerby Composite School Auditorium. (Photo by Alfred Boyd)

Northern Swing, from left, Ben Mulligan on bass with Jamie Dupuis and Eric Plangger on guitars

Guitarist/Composer Jamie Dupuis will return to Sudbury for a rare performance at Guitars Alive in the Auditorium at Lockerby Composite School on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 6:30 pm. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will support the Joan Mantle Music Trust, which provides instruments to students in Rainbow Schools.

Guitars Alive will also feature Gypsy Jazz with his band Northern Swing, duets with local singer/songwriter JoAnne Landry, and guitar orchestras from Levack Public School, Churchill Public School, Lasalle Secondary School, Cambrian College and Laurentian University. The Sudbury Guitar Trio – guitar professors Matt Gould, Al Yzereef and Keenan Comartin – will make its debut performance at this event.

A recent graduate of Cambrian College, Jamie Dupuis currently attends the Musicians Institute of Contemporary Music in Hollywood.  His performances are greatly influenced by rock, metal, jazz, blues and classical styles. His inspiration is derived from artists such as Jason Becker, Tommy Emmanuel, Keith Jarrett, Buster B. Jones, Roland Dyens and Carlo Domeniconi.

Born in New Liskeard, Jamie Dupuis has earned numerous awards – winner of the international competition “Full Ride Scholarship” from the Musicians Institute of Contemporary Music in Hollywood in 2011, top guitar at the Senior Awards concert for three consecutive years as a classical guitar student in the Music Performance Program at Cambrian College, first place overall at the Sudbury Kiwanis Festival in 2011 and first place at the Capreol Guitar Competition in 2010. Jamie has also been a featured performer at the “Alla Grande” Guitar Festival at the University of Ottawa in 2011 and the Sudbury Jazz Festival in 2010.

Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. Seniors and students can purchase their tickets for $15 at the door and $10 in advance. Tickets are available at Black Cat, Jett Laundry Music, Cosmic Dave’s Guitar Emporium, Cambrian College Book Store, Guitar Clinic and at the door.  Seating is limited.

About Guitars Alive

Guitars Alive is a non-profit organization which has raised and donated over $12,000 to support guitar programs in the Greater Sudbury area since 2002. This concert marks the 10th anniversary of Guitars Alive, and the first year for its new production team – Dr. Matthew Gould, a professor at Cambrian College, Al Yzereef, a professor at Laurentian University, and Marc Savard, a music teacher at Lasalle Secondary School.

“We are committed to continuing the tradition established by the founders of Guitars Alive – Phil Candelaria, Paul Dunn and Gary DiSalle – to provide funding for scholarships and the purchase of instruments for elementary, secondary and postsecondary students in our community,” said Dr. Matthew Gould, Director of Guitar Studies at Cambrian College.  “We are excited about this year’s concert and look forward to seeing local guitar enthusiasts at the show.”

For more information, please contact Dr. Matthew Gould at 705-923-3546 or visit www.guitarsalive.org.

About the Joan Mantle Music Trust

The Joan Mantle Music Trust was established in 2008 to help refresh, modernize and revitalize school music programs in the Rainbow District School Board. The Trust allocates funds to Rainbow Schools to provide a tangible improvement in the condition of musical instruments and equipment, allowing students to achieve more in their musical studies.

Joan Mantle dedicated many years to music education in Rainbow Schools. She passed away on June 9, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

The Rainbow District School Board provides students with opportunities to increase their musical literacy and develop their creative and critical thinking skills by engaging in activities that lead them to learn in, about and through music. Musical literacy is the ability to read, write, create and perform music, as well as analyze, interpret and appreciate music from a variety of cultures and historical periods.

Making connections between music, lyrics, rhythm and movement develops literacy skills and encourages creative and critical thinking. Engaging in musical activities improves self-esteem and confidence, promotes teamwork and fosters an overall appreciation of the arts. Learning in, about and through music is part of a well-rounded education that reinforces academic skills and nurtures life skills.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.