Jessica McMann is a Cree (Cowessess, SK) musician, contemporary dancer and choreographer. She is also a classically trained flutist, with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary. Her research focus has been contemporary music, jazz, and improvisation. She has successfully defended her thesis for her MFA - Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University. Her recent compositions and soundscapes explore Indigenous identity and history.
She has been dancing fancy shawl, jingle and hoop dance for 17 years, and has had the opportunity to present contemporary and traditional work at festivals across western Canada, and tour northern Europe. Currently her personal experience, Two-Spirit identity, Cree and Blackfoot language, and the strength of Indigenous women guide her current contemporary dance work. She works regularly with Elijah Wells, a Blackfoot animator to bring the stories of Transgender, Two-Spirit and Queer persons alive.
Her recent Musician artist-in-residence at the Banff Center for the Arts resulted in an Indigenous classical CD recording with Beverley McKiver in the fall of 2020. Jessica's work has been shown at Matriarch Uprising 2019, Vancouver International Childrens' Fesitival, (2018), Vancouver International Jazz Festival (2018), AlterNative: IndigiQueer (2017), IndigeDIV (2017), Talking Stick Festival (Vancouver 2012, 2013, 2020) Kootenay Cultural Festival (2012, 2015, 2016) Fairy Tales Film Festival (2012), ASTAM; Cree Festival (2012), Coastal First Nations Dance Festival (2011,2012, 2014, 2017, 2018) Vancouver Queer Film Festival (2011), Q the Arts Festival (2011), 7a*11d (2010). "Too Good; That MAY Be", an immersive soundscape movement performance was shown at the Urban Shaman Gallery in Winnipeg as part of "The 60's Scoop; A place between" in 2017. She has also toured in Sweden, Netherlands, and Belgium. She has created soundtracks for the ITWE Collective, performed with the Ambrose University Chamber Orchestra and the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra, and was a guest musician for Arcade Fire at the Junos and regularly with Laura Vinson and the Free Spirit . Her collaborative visual arts work with Elijah Wells is in the permanent collections at the Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford, UK. She also is a dance artist in Calgary schools.
She is a Laureate of the Hnatyshyn Foundation REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards. CV available upon request.
SERVICES
Powwow and Hoop Dance Performances are run through WILD MINT ARTS
Consultation
Two-Spirit and LGBT consultation for arts organizations
Indigenous consultation for arts organizations and venues
Musician
Indigenous Flute/Drum, Classical flute, Jazz, and/or Electric Flute
Music ensemble/solo for receptions, weddings, events