ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit.  She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe.  In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025.  Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”. 

 After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz.  Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists.  Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.   

In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.

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DR. LAUREL TRAINOR

 Laurel Trainor (Ph.D., University of Toronto) is a Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster University, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC), Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, a McMaster Distinguished University Professor, and a Research Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute. She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Music Perception and Cognition (2022) as well as a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Arts Culture and Design.

She has published over 160 articles on the neuroscience of auditory development and perception of music in journals including Science and Nature and co-holds a patent for the Neuro-compensator hearing aid. She has pioneered the study of musical development, showing that infants acquire the music system of their culture without instruction, just as they acquire language.

Laurel is the founding and present director of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind (MIMM), which houses the LIVELab Home - LIVELab , a unique research-concert hall with high acoustic control, that is equipped with multi-person motion capture and EEG (and measurement of other physiological responses) for studying how performers and audiences interact, and how music can be used to promote health and well-being.

Laurel also has a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Toronto and is currently principal flute of the Burlington Symphony.

Laurel's Playlist:

 SONG TO THE MOON (Rusalka's Aria from Dvorak's opera Rusalka)

IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD (Louis Armstrong)

LEONARD COHEN'S MUSIC

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MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, cond.)

Composer: Andrew Balfour /www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_

PIXABAY Royalty Free Music

ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit.  She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe.  In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025.  Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”. 

 After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz.  Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists.  Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.   

In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.

ISABEL FRYSZBERG is a strong advocate for bringing arts to everyday life.  She inspires others to reach theirpotential by combining training as an occupational therapist with a passion for arts-based programming.  Isabel received the 2020 University of Toronto Alumni Achievement Award for Occupational Therapy and serves as Adjunct Lecturer forthe University of Toronto Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.

Creative Works Studio, a community program for adults living with mental health or addiction issues, was Isabel’sbrain-child. She ran the program for over twenty years  at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, where she directed the documentary What’s Art Got to Do with It? (2013) and co-created Coming Out of Darkness, an album of originalmusic by members of the Studio. She has since developed the Arts-Based Well-Being Toolbox, an online training courseon art as a tool for everyday wellness  Isabel collaborates with Dr Janet Parsons (University of Toronto) on arts-basedresearch, helping to develop the Creative Collaboratory for Research, Education and Practice.

As a visual artist, Isabel takes solace in representing subjects where she feels an emotional connection. She loves tocapture aspects of her neighbourhood and community that she fears will be lost to gentrification and high cost. Isabelmaintains a studio at Toronto’s 401 Richmond and recently participated in the Riverdale Artwalk 2025.

As a singer-songwriter, Isabel creates songs about connection, relationships, love, loss, family, aging and nature.  She co-founded the Sisters of Sheynville, a six-woman klezmer swing band whose album Sheynville Express garnered the 2007 Canadian Folk Music award asVocal Group of the Year. Following her 2014 solo debut album Hearts and Arrows, Isabel has released three singles and three  award-winning music videos. Her band Isabel& the Uncommons has a monthly residency at Toronto’s Tranzac Club. Her music can be found on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple under Isabel & the Uncommons. https://www.youtube.com/@isabelfryszberg8135.

Isabel's playlist:

"Stuck In The Middle With You" performed by Jaylee Roberts

"Today Will be A Good Day" performed by Diane Reeves

"Katie Bar The Door" performed by Rayna Gellert & Sue Goehring

"Everybody's Talkin' " performed by Harry Nilsson

"Yidl Mitn Fidl" performed by "The Sisters Of Sheynville"

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MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, cond.)

Composer: Andrew Balfour /www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_

PIXABAY Royalty Free Music

In this episode I speak with paediatric dermatologist Dr. Elena Pope about the skin as sensory organ and how life is more fulfilled with music and art in it.

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ABOUT YOUR HOST

ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit.  She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe.  In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025.  Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”.  

 After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz.  Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists.  Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.   

In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.

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ELENA POPE - ART:

www.abstractimpressions.net

ELENA POPE'S PLAYLIST:

NESSUN DORMA (Calaf's aria from Puccini's opera Turandot)

RACHMANINOFF / SECOND PIANO CONCERTO

MUSIC BY PAGANINI

MUSIC BY MAX RICHTER

THE MUSIC OF QUEEN

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MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, conductor)

Composer: Andrew Balfour / www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_

PIXABAY Royalty Free Music

==========

FEATURED MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN (Adi Braun / "Night And Day - The Cole Porter Songbook" / Alma Records)

Composer: Cole Porter

Arranger: Don Breithaupt

In this episode I speak with the joyful and effervescent Dr. Elaine Choi about collaborative music making and its healing powers during times of crisis.

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ABOUT YOUR HOST

ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit.  She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe.  In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025.  Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”. 

 After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz.  Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists.  Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.   

In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.

======

DR. ELAINE CHOI BIOGRAPHY

Elaine Choi (D.M.A.) immerses herself in Canada’s vibrant choral community as a conductor, educator, adjudicator, chorister and collaborative pianist. Elaine currently holds positions as Director of Music at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Artistic Director of Pax Christi Chorale and founder & artistic director of Babεl. 

As a music educator, Elaine was a sessional lecturer at the University of Toronto from 2015-2023, as conductor of the Soprano-Alto Chorus. Currently, Elaine is active as an adjudicator and a clinician for various community events, such as the 2023 Junior Treble Festival, TCDSB Music Festival, Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival, and OMFA Provincial Festival. In 2022, Elaine traveled to Thailand as the headline guest conductor for the Bangkok International Choral Festival. In 2023/24, Elaine is the guest conductor for the Windsor Choral Festival, a clinician for ChorFest 2024 in Saskatchewan, adjudicator for the Ontario Vocal Festival, and conductor of the 2024 Ontario Youth Choir. 

Elaine is an advocate for Chinese orchestral and choral music. She was the conductor of the Toronto Chinese Orchestra from 2010-2017, and currently continues her connection as Guest Conductor and Educational Outreach Representative. In 2018, Elaine founded Babεl, an SATB choral ensemble with a mission to bridge cultures through choral music. The ensemble worked with more than 200 musicians in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau in its inaugural tour in 2019 and was featured in the Canadian Opera Company showcase series in 2023.

Elaine holds the degrees of Doctor in Musical Arts and Master in Music Performance (Choral Conducting) from the University of Toronto, under the tutelage of Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt and Dr. Doreen Rao. In December, 2023, Elaine was awarded the Ontario Arts Council’s Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting.

Photo: Fable Studio

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MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, conductor)

Composer: Andrew Balfour / www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_

PIXABAY Royalty Free Music

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Featured Music:

WHOSE ROOSTER - WHOSE, WHOSE?

Composer: Frankie Ho / Babεl Chorus: Elaine Choi (conductor)

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ADI'S PLAYLIST:

LUX AURUMQUE

Composer: Eric Whitacre / Eric Whitacre Singers

LUX AETERNA

Composer: Morten Lauridsen / Voces8

ALLELUIA

Composer: Stephanie Martin / Schola Magdalena

ABOUT YOUR HOST

ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit.  She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe.  In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025.  Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”. 

 After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz.  Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists.  Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.   

In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.

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REVEREND DR. RAY ALDRED BIOGRAPHY:

Reverend Ray Aldred is ordained with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.  He is status Cree from Treaty 8.  Born in Northern Alberta, he now resides with his wife in Richmond, BC, Canada.  Ray is the Director of the Indigenous Studies Program at Vancouver School of Theology. He is former Director for the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada, now committee member, where he worked to encourage pastors ministering to aboriginal people.  He is the chairperson of Indigenous Pathways and the North American Institute of Indigenous Theological Studies.  He is the former co-chairperson of the Native Ministries Council for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Ray also has had the privilege of addressing several college conferences and meetings related to cross-cultural ministry. 

Ray’s passion is to help as many as possible hear the gospel in their heart language. 

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RAY'S BOOK:

OUR HOME ON TREATY LAND (2024, Friesen Press)

Co-authored by Ray Aldred & Matthew Anderson

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RAY'S PLAYLIST:

HEAR THE BELLS RINGING (Easter Song/2nd Chapter of Acts)

Performed by Phil Keaggy & A Band Called David.

OH HAPPY DAY (By Edwin Hawkins)

FATHER AND SON (By Cat Stevens)

HONOUR SONG (By Big River Cree)

RIGHT AFTER MY HEART (Roy Forbes)

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MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, conductor)

Composer: Andrew Balfour / www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_

PIXABAY Royalty Free Music

Join us for the premiere episode of ADI BRAUN SOULSCAPES when I chat with Japanese-Canadian flutist, composer and producer RON KORB. From the origins of the flute and his musical journey which has led him across the continents, Ron shares insights about how music is transformative and how he became a musical storyteller.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit.  She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe.  In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025.  Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”. 

 After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz.  Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists.  Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.   

In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Japanese-Canadian Grammy®Award nominated flutist Ron Korb is a renowned flutist, composer, and producer known for his exceptional virtuosity and diverse musical influences. He has developed a distinctive global musical persona, fluidly blending Pan Asian, Jazz, Celtic, and Latin influences, acquired through a lifetime of exploration. His music is both fiery and sublime, intimate and cinematic. He has 7 Grammy certificates with 4 of them winning albums including his work on Stewart Copeland (The Police) and Ricky Kej’s Grammy-winning album Divine Tides and Masa Takumi’s Grammy winning album for Best Global Music Album.

He has performed live with such artists as Olivia Newton John, Jane Siberry, and Liona Boyd, and the Legendary British rock bands; Renaissance and The Yardbirds, and shared stages with Peter Gabriel, and Cesaria Evora. Ron has collaborated with many film makers and performed on numerous movie soundtrack recordings. He has performed for heads of state around the world and has toured China 7 times.

For more information and a complete list of Ron's recordings please visit www.ronkorb.com

Ron's short playlist of music for inspiration and upliftment:

STEVIE WONDER: OVERJOYED

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY NO. 6/PASTORALE/FIRST MOVEMENT

LEONARD COHEN: SONG OF BERNADETTE (performed by Jennifer Warnes)

www.ronkorb.com

MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, conductor)

Composer: Andrew Balfour / www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_

PEACEFLUTE (Humbledragon Entertainment)

Composer/Flutist: Ron Korb

DESIRE (Humbledragon Entertainment)

Composer/Flutist: Ron Korb

OTHER ART:

Cover Art: Elena Pope / Renewal 2020 / www.abstractimpressions.net

This is a trailer for SOULSCAPES - a podcast about music and how it effects us .

ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit.  She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe.  In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025.  Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”. 

After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz.  Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists.  Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.   

In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.

MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:

AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, conductor)

Composer: Andrew Balfour / www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_

Cover Art: Elena Pope / Renewal 2020 / www.abstractimpressions.net