ALYSSA KATRINE
Sharing Métis Heritage Through Fiddle, Story & Song
My Story: A Path Guided by Métis Heritage & Music
Hello! Bonjour! Taanishi! Alyssa niiya! My name is Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk. My identity and work are profoundly shaped by my Red River Métis and Ukrainian roots, originating in Treaty One territory. My Métis family names, Nault and Recette, link me to the historic Red River communities of St Pierre Jolys and Saint Boniface and the ancestral lines of Louis Riel. This heritage is the heart from which my music and educational offerings flow.
Learning from Tradition Bearers & Mentorship
The Métis fiddle is a vibrant cultural language, passed through generations. I was deeply honoured to learn for many years under the guidance of respected Anishinaabe Métis fiddler Lawrence “Teddy Boy” Houle and his brother James Flett from Ebb and Flow, Manitoba. Their teachings were instrumental in my understanding of this music and culture. I have also been privileged to learn from other notable Indigenous fiddlers, including James Cheechoo and John Arcand, and am committed to helping preserve and share the important musical collection of mentor Anne Lederman.
Qualifications & Musical Foundation
My formal musical studies culminated in a Doctorate in Music (D.Mus.) in Interpretation from the Université de Montréal. My doctoral research, "A Classical Musician’s Métissage: Interpreting the Métis Fiddle Tradition within a Classically Composed Work," investigated the synthesis of classical and Métis musical practices. This, along with earlier Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Viola performance from institutions in Switzerland, provided me with a broad musical vocabulary.
Professional Mission & Approach
My mission is to deliver authentic Métis cultural education and high-caliber musical performances. It is my passion to share Métis culture authentically. I strive to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Métis history, music, Michif language and living traditions through carefully developed programming. I offer programs and presentations in English, French, or bilingually, aiming to create experiences that are both educational and deeply engaging for all participants and diverse audiences.
Career Highlights & Collaborations
This past year has been a whirlwind of music, travel, and Métis pride! I performed at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, and at Australia’s Woodford Folk Festival, sharing the joy and heartbeat of Métis fiddle with audiences around the world. I also released my new album, Gifts of the Ancestors — a love letter to the Red River Métis Nation and to the mentors and ancestors who’ve shaped my sound.
I’m proud to have produced and performed on Universal Echoes with Kuné: Canada’s Global Orchestra, which won the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Award – Oliver Schroer “Pushing the Boundaries” Award.
Earlier in my career, I co-founded the Métis Fiddler Quartet, winners of the 2012 CFMA for Best Traditional Album, and have created and performed works like Oméigwessi, Reel Métis: A Tribute to Walter Flett with James Flett. My music has been featured by the Royal Conservatory of Music, and I continue to tour and collaborate with artists including Sultans of String and Amanda Rheaume.
Supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts, I’ve had the honour of performing at the 2022 Canada Games Opening Ceremonies and with orchestras such as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.
