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New Release! Donna's first instrumental CD Musically Yours is now available. Click here for more information. |
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2007 Juno nominee Donna Rhodenizer is an accomplished songwriter and composer. Her song lyrics sparkle with imagination and humour and reflect a writer who has the ability to reach into the imaginations and hearts of children (and their parents!). Donna’s songs become favourites of the fans who hear her perform in concert as part of the duo, Donna & Andy, listen to her songs on Donna & Andy CDs and are delighted to sing her songs in their school music programs. She is a music education specialist who has been teaching elementary school music for over 25 years. This wealth of experience with children and music is very evident in the songs she creates.
Donna has written three songbooks with recordings for elementary level students: Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me, Computer Cat, and It’s Christmas Time; as well as co-writing a fourth book, the recent release, Blue Skies and Pirates, (2009 ECMA nominee) with fellow writer/performer/musician, Andy Duinker.
The “Computer Cat” recording received a 2004 East Coast Music Award for Children’s Recording of the Year, and the “Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me” CD received an ECMA nomination in the same category in 2006. “Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me” was nominated for a 2007 Juno and received a 2006 Nova Scotia Music Award for Children’s Recording of the Year. “It’s Christmas Time” was nominated for a 2007 ECMA.
Donna has received three nominations for Educator of the Year from Music Nova Scotia (MNS). Music teachers use her songbooks in music programs across Canada and in the U.S., and watch with great anticipation for her newest offerings. Donna has written over 100 songs, which are in print, with more than two-dozen waiting to be brought into the public musical arena. Donna and Andy have released 9 recordings to date.
Donna teaches elementary school music in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Much of her musical inspiration is derived from regular contact with her young students (budding musicians). Her original songs are enthusiastically received by her students who often help by critiquing her song ideas before they reach their final form. Her children’s songs are all “child tested and approved” by some very discerning young singers before the rest of the world ever hears them.
In addition to writing music for children, Donna writes original songs and arrangements for adult audiences. Her songs reveal a writer in touch with people and life experiences, a strong wit and a unique way of seeing the world. Her ability to tell a good story, both in music and in general conversation, are strengths in the folk music world. Donna’s music reflects her love of harmony and beautiful singable melodies instilled through her choral experience and classical music training. These strengths have resulted in Donna being commissioned to write songs and/or arrangements for several leading choirs in Nova Scotia. Her music is well-loved by the choirs who include her songs in their regular repertoire. Donna’s choral compositions now top 40 in a variety of voicing configurations for professional, community and school choirs. Her music is printed and promoted by Red Castle Publishing, the company she co-founded and co-owns with Andy Duinker.
In addition to writing and publishing, Donna is an active performer. She performs with Andy Duinker in a variety of musical settings. The duo “Donna & Andy” can be found singing for children and families. Attending an “Andy Duinker and Donna Rhodenizer” concert treats the audience to original, adult folk, contemporary, easy listening, or sacred arrangements, depending on the venue.
Donna received her Bachelor of Music Education from Acadia University, where she majored in violin and minored in piano. She was a Masters of Music Education candidate at Brandon University in Manitoba.
Donna shares her musical expertise as a workshop clinician, equally at home discussing her own composing journey as well as encouraging fellow educators to experience music with children in their classrooms. She has been a conference clinician at the International Society of Music Educators (ISME), Ontario Music Educators Association (OMEA), New Brunswick Music Educators Association (NBMEA) and the Nova Scotia Music Educators Association (NSMEA), as well as presenting music teaching workshops for teachers in Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick. Her passion for music making is very evident in her life pursuits, her substantial output of songs, and her active involvement in performing, recording and publishing.