KITCHENER-WATERLOO, Ontario - Ms. Kidd and Mr. McLelland, both professional musicians, got a taste of a vastly different musical tradition on Wednesday when Divine Performing Arts took to the stage at Centre in the Square Theatre.
“[The music] was exotic, beautiful… a lot of the sounds are very different from what we’re used to listening to, especially the instruments. It takes you into another place,” said Ms. Kidd, a former adjudicator and music education teacher.
Mr. McLelland, a professional musician who has just released a new CD, said he appreciated the subtle spirituality of traditional Chinese music.
“There’s a lot less tension in the music and it’s very peaceful to listen to, and that’s a nice reflection of the spirituality in the culture… North American culture is very busy and this is calming. I think this would be good for North Americans to experience this and just become calmer,” he said.
Ms. Kidd was touched by the spirituality not only in the music, but through the dance sequences and expressions of the performers.
“There’s a wonderful inner control when you see the movement and you see what they’re trying to portray up there on the stage… it’s so beautiful and athletic and graceful all rolled into one. I would say that it’s very unusual for North Americans to see a show that’s so intimate. It’s intimate and spiritual and I think that it’s very good. I think it’s just what people need to see right now in the way that our lives are going… it’s beautiful and peaceful and calming.”
Ms. Kidd has taught students and teachers for almost 20 years and conducted a number of large choirs. She recently received an award for her mentoring work. She also helped develop and implement music curriculum for a major school board.