Vicky has been an active part of Alberta’s music scene since graduating from Grant MacEwan in 2009.
With a diploma in piano performance, following a childhood studying classical music, Vicky’s knowledge and experience has led her to a wide spectrum of performing. Her work history includes: accompanying many choirs and singers in Edmonton, an improvising musician for Rapid Fire Theatre and Grindstone Theatre, performing as a member in The Lindsey Walker Band, Jordan Norman and the Wisdom Teeth, and The AM Radio. Most recently, Vicky musically directed Urinetown at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, Heather’s the Musical with Archbishop MacDonald High School and The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant! with Whizgiggling Productions.
FAVOURITES
TV Shows: Brooklyn Nine-nine, New Girl, Suits, Prison Break, Stranger Things
Movies: Young Frankenstein, The Newsies, The Princess Bride, The Ghost and the Darkness, The Saint
Actors: TOM HARDY… Yeah I really like him
Video Games: I played Mario Cart once, does that count?
Books: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The BFG, The Old Man and the Sea, The Power of One, Siddhartha
Authors: Richard Bach, Salman Rushdie, Bryce Courtney
Music: Paul Simon, Leif Vollebeck, Gregory Alan Isakov, Kathleen Edwards, Brandie Carlisle
Food: I’ll probably eat anything as long as it doesn’t involve olives or meat.
Words to live by: At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou
I’m a professional musician. People pay me to play music. It’s pretty cool. I am also a farmer.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH RAPID FIRE?
It was fate. The stars aligned. Lightning struck. All was silent. Oh, and Matt Schuurman called. Turns out they needed a musician.
WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL IMPROV SCENE?
A good set of listening ears. Playfulness. Willingness to be yourself. Willingness to be vulnerable.
WHAT ARE SOME TIPS YOU CAN OFFER AUDIENCE MEMBERS ABOUT GIVING SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVISERS?
Be original! Try to think of things other people won’t say!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SHORT FORM VS. LONG FORM AND VICE VERSA?
Short form is great because it keeps me on my toes, keeps me looking to be creative from scene to scene… quickly… Long form is rad as it allows me to create an environment, an emotion, a bigger picture.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR IMPROV STYLE?
I’d say I’m less about doing bits and more about playing to the scene….you know, creating mood?
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT ON STAGE?
Pretty much any time I’m laughing so hard that I have to stop playing the piano. It probably happens more than it should. I laugh a lot.
WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF RFT?
I’m a professional musician. People pay me to play music. It’s pretty cool. I am also a farmer. People pay me to grow food. It’s also pretty cool.
HOW DOES IMPROV COME IN HANDY IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?
Improv is such an asset as a musician…and as a human being. Keeps me listening, growing and changing. It has definitely shaped how I react to new situations and to new environments.
DESCRIBE WORKING FOR RAPID FIRE IN A SINGLE SENTENCE:
Rapid fire is like going to play school as a 5-year-old and hanging out with all of your best friends and then crying when your mom says that it’s time to go home.