Nationality Cree, Canadian Occupation Musician | Education Bachelor of Music Genre Dance/electronic | |
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Alma mater University of British Columbia Albums The Cusp, Cris Derksen: Orchestral Powwow, The Collapse Record labels Cris Derksen, Tribal Spirit Music Similar Kinnie Starr, Jennifer Kreisberg, Don Amero, Tanya Tagaq, Iskwe Profiles | ||
Tedxvancouver cris derksen 11 21 09
Cris Derksen is a two-spirit Juno Award–nominated Canadian Indigenous cellist from Northern Alberta. Derksen is known for her unique musical sound which blends classical music with traditional Indigenous music. Her music is often described as "electronic cello" or classical traditional fusion.
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Talking stick festival 2011 cellist cris derksen fancy dancer shyama priya singh
Biography
Derksen is from North Tall Cree reserve in Northern Alberta, Canada, she has both Cree and Mennonite heritage. She attended a performing Victoria School for the Performing Arts in Edmonton, Canada and was trained in classical music from an early age. She received a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance at the University of British Columbia. During her time at UBC she held the position of Principal Cellist with the UBC Symphony Orchestra.
In 2009 Cris was the curator in residence at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. She has traveled and performed internationally in numerous countries including: Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Czech Republic, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States. She has performed with the Beat Nation Live Collective, Kanye West, Kinnie Starr, Tanya Tagaq, Rae Spoon, and traditional pow wow groups.
In 2015 Cris' Orchestral Powwow Project album was produced in partnership with the independent record label Tribal Spirit Powwow. During the making of this album Cris utilized Tribal Spirit's library of powwow music as a resource and incorporated some of the traditional music found in this library in her project. In the same year, Cris' was mentored by Canadian musician Buffy Sainte-Marie as part of an Ontario Arts Council grant.
Musical releases
Composer credits
Awards
Songs
PowwowwowThe Cusp · 2010
New Women SongCris Derksen: Orchestral Powwow · 2015
Intertribal Happy FeetCris Derksen: Orchestral Powwow · 2015