Stephanie Mainville

The Write Stuff

Date: May 2, 2013

Yesterday marked the second year I was invited as a songwriter to facilitate a workshop for ASD-South High School students (Saint John High, St. Malachy's, Harbourview High and Simonds High) attending The Write Stuff. Follow them on twitter @thewritestuffsj. What a joy to be with enthusiastic teachers and students, one of which was my grade 10 and 11 teacher while I was a student at Kennebecasis High School. Our teachers are doing a wonderful job initiating these opportunities for our children. What a gift to these young men and women who are inspired to write poetry, songs, spoken word poetry, short stories, novels, story-pulling (Greg Hemmings) and comic strip writing and creating. What I would have done for an opportunity like this while in school. Well done, everyone! Congratulations to you and may there be many more!

Speaking of education - I'm either addressing school-aged children and youth this Spring or giving concerts in schools! Glad I have good memories of these days otherwise it could be a bit overboard. I'll see you soon St. Martins School to be your guest judge and speaker for your talent show. Love it! We'll have fun, I promise.

So here's a shout out to all our teachers. For me personally may I salute a few of my faves - Mr. Jamie Thomas, Ms. Fran Dearin, Mrs. Elaine Warfield, Mrs. Donna Belyea and of course my mother, Mrs. Carolyn Murray.

Won't be long before we'll be singing your favourite Alice Cooper tune, "School's Out for Summer".

Carry on!

Stephanie

Safe Harbour

Date: April 8, 2013

Good day, Everyone!

I'm loving the obvious signs of Spring we are now enjoying; more daylight, less snow and sounds of the geese flying "home". I for one am happy to see this winter pass. It hasn't been the easiest one on record by any means and yet I'm certain I could come up with a handful of examples of it being blessed just the same.

I wish to say a huge "thank you" to Colin MacDonald, Hayley Brittain, Craig Jollymore and all those who sponsored the songwriter's circle for Safe Harbour, www.safeharboursingersongwriter.com. What a tremendous vision of having a youth home/shelter in our great city of Saint John. This won't merely be a place to sleep but an environment where youth can be mentored, trained and equipped to take their place as leaders in our city. I was filled with hope when I heard Colin (Saint John Youth House Coordinator) share his vision and expectations for this intiative. Feels so good and right to champion the needs of this young generation. They need us and many are stepping up in significant ways at this time. Brilliant!

Thank you to Sandy MacKay, Bill Preeper, Clinton Charlton and my new BFF Nathalie Godbout! What a joy to share a song, a stage and an evening together as musicians and songwriters. I don't think any of us wanted the evening to end. Special thanks to Tim Davidson (Ripple Effect Music) who was the sound technician for the event. We were in wonderful hands as I for one played a beautiful baby grand that evening. :) Ain't nothin' like the real thing!

Thanks to the Jollymores for a lovely reception following our event. I enjoyed meeting the enthusiastic staff of RNS, the delightful and talented Fabiola Martinez and her husband and chewing the fat with my fellow artists. Thanks for hosting us!

I'm looking forward to hearing what is sure to be my favourite recitals of the year - that of my daughter Lydia. Can't wait to see her in her own digs at university and then bring her home! We've missed her greatly and at the same time, the months have flown by. Bring on the Shostakovich!

I think I will say "ciao for now" and move my day along. It is indeed spring and I'm seeing signs of life everywhere.

Trust you are, too.

Stephanie

East Coast Music Week 25

Date: March 14, 2013

Greetings and Salutations!

It gives me great joy to announce that Old Man Winter was named Gospel Recording of the Year by the ECMA and its membership this past Sunday afternoon in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The award was sponsored and presented by Waterfront Development and awarded on Sunday afternoon at a Gospel Brunch sponsored in part by the African Nova Scotia Music Association. We had a grand time together listening to D and B, The Williams' Sisters and The Sanctified Brothers. Truly a family event! :)

A huge thank you to the ECMA, its sponsors, the many incredible volunteers and a personal shout out to Jennifer Campbell and Keelin Jack! You two were very helpful, patient and showcasing some serious skills yourselves! I've been attending ECMW since 2000, just missing the events in Newfoundland, sadly, and this year was very well done on many levels. Congratulations to you!

I must thank my family, friends, fellow musicians on the album and producer Tim Davidson. Thank you all for giving the best of what you have and making this album so very special. Party at my place very soon!

Finally, thank you! People who visit the site, buy tickets to concerts, donate to fundraisers, pray and encourage. I'm humbled and honoured by this journey. May God's dreams by ours. Thank you for welcoming me to share my story and song.

With deep thanks,

Stephanie

ECMW25 and More

Date: February 25, 2013

Hello folks! Welcome to the web site!

I'm enjoying a quiet, sun-filled day here in my studio catching up on some organizing and planning for my showcase at ECMAs Soundwaves 2013. I've been truly blessed to have this my third CD nominated for an ECMA, making it three for three with my recordings, Family, Out of Nowhere and Old Man Winter. I'm appreciative and humbled. It gives me great pleasure to be joined in Halfax by the Saint John String Quartet (Juno nominees and multi-award winning ensemble) and guitarist Bruce Timmins (The Cottars). It will be a wonderful treat to play together songs from my nominated seasonal disc and other originals. A huge thank you to my fellow musicians who have enjoyed multiple ECMA nominations as well.

I'll also be presenting a concert at South End Baptist Church in Dartmouth over the ECMA week. All details are to the right on the "Shows" section. I'll be joined by Bruce again and hopefully a bassist. This will be a chance to share some fiddle music, traditional hymns/tunes and songs from my three discs. I'd love to see you out! There will be something for all ages. Thank you to Mike Vlahos for hosting me and getting the word out far and wide through Blessings Bookstore and local radio. Call the number listed for tickets.

If you'd like more detail on shows, worship events, fundraisers, or my goings on, please feel free to as they say, find us on Facebook. I keep this page up to date as well and it's interactive! :)

It's been a difficult winter. Those who know me personally know I said goodbye to a dear friend's husband. Loss is never easy and my prayers continue to be with his family. I'm thankful for the month of March right around the corner. I'm looking forward to some warmer weather, time with family, writing and shrinking. I'm in preparation for training for my next outing; this time hopefully a 10k walk/run. It's more of a loping pace I take, really. Just enough to get my heart and lungs working and stay ahead of people using walkers.

It's been a joy to connect with you so please come back soon! More details on points westward coming up.

Bye for now,

Stephanie

Happy New Year!

Date: January 16, 2013

Happy New Year Greetings, Friends!

How lovely to see you checking back on the website for news. All is well and shall be well. :) I've welcomed the new year with much anticipation and hope for a great season. I trust you have, too. Visit me on Facebook or drop me an email and let me know what's brewing for you!

First, a huge thank you to everyone who came and saw us, purchased discs, and sent Christmas greetings. The band and I had another full and wonderful season. It was a joy to have our final concert at The Sanctuary Theater on Germain Street in our home city of Saint Joh, New Brunswick. Thanks to our host Kate and Michael, CBC for the promotion and the musicians who made it a great success. I had a few special guests in the crowd that was the icing on the fruitcake for me. I was humbled and blessed by your presence.

Yesterday, ECMA nominations were announced and our Christmas album, Old Man Winter, received a nod for the Gospel Recording of the Year. I'm very thrilled with this nomination and now all three albums have received kind recognition from the East Coast Music Week jury. Thank you ever so much. My band mates and all the featured musicians, soloists and writers on the album are stoked. I want to mention especially Tim Davidson at Ripple Effect Music who produced the album. Bravo!

Well, this is going to be a quick one. I wanted to get our little announcement out. My work and face will be featured in next week's KV Style publication so I had a lovely photo shoot today. However, I now need to rush off and pick up some kids from school.

Stay safe and don't let old man winter get you down. He won't stay around forever!

Toodles,

Stephanie

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