Events > Summer Sizzle: A Piano Pedagogy Symposium

MINI SUMMER SIZZLER! 2025
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 11:00 am (registration 10:30) 

Location:  Millbank Heritage Arts Society, 6988 Church St, Millbank, Ontario 
​Guest Composers: Susan Griesdale  (Tottenham, ON)  Kevin & Angelina Gibson (London, ON) 
Plus 8 Online Canadian Composers! 

Northern Lights CNCM is proud to announce our latest Canadian music program the - Mini Summer Sizzler! The post-COVID era has created challenges for music studios, families, performers and even composers. The Mini Summer Sizzler! is a program that offers popular sessions from our Summer Sizzle event in a simpler and more economical format with easier access for families.
What is a CNCM Mini Summer Sizzler?
Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music (CNCM) has been promoting Canadian music from its inception. The CNCM goal has been one of bringing together students, teachers, families, and composers through new publications of Canadian works. Our programs such as Summer Sizzle, Composers & Kids, and online sessions such as Composers at Play/Work, Northern Lights Festival and Meet the Composer Sessions, as well as the expansion of our YouTube channel combine to offer the greater music community opportunity to compose, learn, teach and grow Canadian content/works. 

How does a CNCM Mini Summer Sizzler work?
CNCM Mini Summer Sizzlers may be offered in your community and are scheduled for approximately 5 hours. The event includes two student workshops which are performance based, each approximately 1.5 hours in length as follows:
1).  Take the Lead!
Host Composers: Kevin & Angelina Gibson
  • this session will feature realized lead sheets. 
  • the host composer will work with each student offering ideas regarding the performance. 
  • the host composer will also work on developing chord progressions and lead sheets – reading chord symbols, pattern playing, transposition and more! 
  • all stages of preparation are welcome. However, CNCM encourages students to select works at a comfortable level to create a positive learning experience. Memorization is not required. 
  • student groups will include various levels and ages. 
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2).  Meet the Composer!
Host Composer: Susan Griesdale
Online Host Composers include:  Debra Wanless,  Christopher Norton, Wendy Edwards Beardall-Norton, Diane Hunter, Wendy Wright, Lynette Sawatsky and Julianne Warkentin
  • this session will feature ANY work from Northern Lights CNCM publications composed by one of the Online Host Composers listed above, OR a work by the host composer, Susan Griesdale
  • when possible, this session will include opportunity for a 20-minute online session prior to the CNCM Mini Summer Sizzler with the composer (this does not include the hosting composer) of the chosen work. The composer will offer times of availability for this session.
  • each student will perform their selected work.
  • the host composer will share ideas and back stories about their personal works.
  • students performing works by composers other than the hosting composer will be asked to share what they gained/ learned from their online session with the composer of their selected work.
  • this is NOT a master class but rather a sharing of ideas regarding composition and inspirations.
  • ​​student groups will include various levels and ages. 

CNCM Mini Summer Sizzler concludes with a student recital:
  • all registrants have the opportunity to perform
    (recital approximately 1 -1.5 hours)
  • family and friends are invited to attend the recital
  • students may perform one of the works prepared for the workshop sessions OR another Northern Lights CNCM publication work (solo or duet)
  • this performance should be well prepared and rehearsed
NOTE: attending CNCM Silver Medal recipients will receive their awards during the recital
  • Registration cost: $40 fee per student
  • registration fees do not include food/meals; participants should bring their own snacks and beverages

Copyright Information:
All works included in the CNCM Mini Sizzler are protected by International and Canadian Copyright Laws. All participants MUST bring their ORIGINAL scores ONLY. Photocopies are illegal and will NOT be allowed at this event.

Breaks:
Participants (students, parents, and teachers) will bring their own beverages and nutrition snacks. Time will be provided for 2 breaks. 

Attire:
Attire is casual throughout the event. You are encouraged to bring appropriate footwear for all sessions and are welcome to ‘dress up’ for the closing recital. 

General Schedule:
Registration: 10:30 – 11:00 pm
Session 1: 11:00 – 12:30 pm
Lunch: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Session 2:  1:30 – 3:00 pm
Nutrition Break:  3:00 – 4:00 pm
​Mini Sizzler Recital:  4:00 – 5:00 pm ​
10 benefits of the CNCM Mini Summer Sizzler!
  1. students, teachers, parents and grandparents, composers and community learn and enjoy Canadian music
  2. students, teachers, parents and grandparents, composers and community meet Canadian composers working in the industry
  3. students meet other students with similar interests, creating lifelong musical memories – they find their people!
  4. students not only meet living Canadian composers but also interact with them one on one
  5. students experience nurturing and exciting performance opportunities
  6. students hear new music, inspiring them to seek out these new works at a later time
  7. the local setting makes the event affordable
  8. the local setting eliminates time consuming travel which makes the event fit more easily into busy schedules
  9. music is intended to be shared – what better way to do this than through the teacher, student, parent, and composer connection!
  10. Northern Lights CNCM Mini Summer Sizzler provides the greater community an opportunity to truly enjoy a 100% Canadian music event! 

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Resources

Download a PDF of this information:
Includes Registration and Media Release forms.
northern_lights_cncm_summer_sizzler_2025_millbank.pdf
File Size: 366 kb
File Type: pdf
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CNCM would like to ​thank the Socan Foundation for its ongoing financial support of Keyboard Kamp.