Bio
| Classically trained but raised on classic rock, Canadian singer-songwriter Sister Dorothy has entertained audiences since debuting as vocal soloist in her kindergarten class. Since then, she has embraced classical, steel-stringed and electric guitars, mastered the flute, and honed her vocals – making her the multi-instrumental Renaissance musician and creative video artist known today.
Why the name Sister Dorothy? She gets asked this question all the time, and attributes it to her Mennonite upbringing. While growing up, she was taught to treat all people like sisters and brothers, and continues to live what she learned.Sister Dorothy is equally at home on the concert stage, at a festival, in a coffee house, at a school, or corporate gathering. High energy combined with thrift shop chic make her live performances uniquely entertaining, and her live person unforgettable. Whether playing solo, backed by drum and bass, or featuring her superstar guitar duo, Sister Dorothy’s performances are suitable for all ages, all venues, and all occasions.
Always in demand, Dorothy performs regularly in Winnipeg at Millennium Library Skywalk Concert Series, Winnipeg International Fringe Festival, and The Forks Market, as well as at coffee houses, in schools and nursing homes, at private parties and weddings, and corporate events. Highlights from her jam-packed performance schedule include the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Pan Am Games, Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Gabriola Island in BC, International Women’s Day in Kingston Jamaica, and International Music Camp USA.
From the 16th Century minstrel to modern alternative folk-pop rocker, Sister Dorothy’s compositions feature topics like love, swimming, and refugees. Concerts often include music by John Dowland, J.S. Bach, or Duke Ellington, an eclectic mix that keeps audiences guessing what’s coming next.
Sister Dorothy’s recording career began back in 1990 as songwriter and lead guitarist with the popular all-female rock band, the Welfare $tarlets. The $tarlets released two CD’s and toured across Canada, performing at festivals, on television shows, and at colleges and nightclubs, before retiring in 1995. Since starting OverGround Records in 1995, Sister Dorothy has released nine CD’s and more than 30 music videos, many of which have screened nationally on TV and at film festivals.
Dorothy is involved with the Manitoba Arts Council Artists in the Schools and touring programs, and has conducted music workshops with students in Churchill, Lynn Lake, Cross Lake, Arborg, Sagkeeng First Nation, and many other schools across Manitoba. She is as much a mentor as a musician, and believes that music is an optimal teaching tool. Her customized workshop topics include guitar, songwriting, School of Rock, and Ojibwe for beginners.
Sister Dorothy embraces the idea of teaching language through music, and works with First Nations teachers and language specialists to write songs in Ojibwe to help children and adults learn the language. She has produced two CDs and videos in Ojibwe, and continues to draw upon her musical comprehension and production knowledge to broaden the scope of this work.
Dorothy is a producer member and past president of Video Pool in Winnipeg, and current active member of the Folk Arts Council, and Winnipeg Musicians Association Local 190. As passionate about teaching music as she is about playing it, Dorothy has taught lessons both privately and in schools for many years. She was asked to develop and deliver an adult guitar course for St. James School Division Continuing Education, and has coordinated the guitar program at International Music Camp USA for over 25 years.
With a penchant to create and always on the go, Sister Dorothy is always up to something. She is currently working on a new video, her next CD, and some new recipes.
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