Emmy-nominated Writer  ~  Singer / Songwriter
Voices In The Sound  ~  Vocal Gym  ~  Upcoming Events


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Pauline has been spinning stories of the heart ever since she graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 1975, She has received international writing awards, including a Cable Ace Award and an Emmy nomination for The Song Spinner. Her rich, earthy voice has been heard in theatres and concert halls across Canada, in the U.S. and the U.K. singing songs of love and celebration. She was called "a musical instrument linked to a soul" for her dramatic portrayal of Edith Piaf in a play she co-wrote. Today, she is part of a growing community working to integrate art, nature, science, and spirit to support a radical transformation in human consciousness.



W R I T E R
Voices in the Sound - Pauline's mytho-poetic play, a cosmological musical about Bowen Island, was performed in the meadow in Crippen Park and received standing ovations (2005 and 2006). This celebration of the island begins with a musical telling of the science-based creation story of the universe. www.voices.biac.ca

Reviewers called the play: "Magical, entertaining, and very moving" "An amazing job of spinning the threads of history, humanity, spirit and nature … fun and funny too."

"It is the most magnificent wedding of the Universe Story and bioregionalism that I have ever witnessed." (Connie Barlow, science writer, www.thegreatstory.org)

The DVD of Pauline's musical, Voices in the Sound (77 minutes) and CD of the soundtrack to the musical are available by contacting Pauline through EMAIL .



Pauline's original feature-length screenplay
The Song Spinner is a fantasy set in a mythical land where music is forbidden. When young Aurora receives a magical music box from a mysterious old woman, she finds the courage to stand up to the Noise Police and sing her truth.

The film, starring John Neville and Brent Carver, received Emmy nominations for Best Children's Special, and Best Actress, Patti Lupone. Pauline also received an Emmy Nomination, and a Cable ACE Award for Best Writing in a Children's Special. It was broadcast in the U.S. on Showtime as their Christmas Eve Special (1996), and aired several times on CBC-TV.

"An enchanting fable … great family entertainment ****."
... (Mick Martin & Marsha Porter's Video Movie Guide)

"A delightfully subversive yarn."
. . . Edmonton Journal
song spinner
FILM FESTIVAL HONOURS INCLUDE:
      ~ Children's Choice Award,
Atlantic Film Festival
      ~ Special Award, Festival International de Cinema Jeune Public de Laon, France

The Song Spinner, her novel based on the screenplay, was published by Red Deer Press (1994), and received the Canadian Children's Book Centre "Our Choice" Award

Other incarnations of this story include a radio drama she wrote for CBC (1997), in which Pauline played the role of Zantalalia, the mysterious gypsy singer; and a play for Vancouver Youth Theatre, with children playing all the characters (2000).

AVAILABLE through Pauline's EMAIL .




S I N G E R  //  S O N G W R I T E R

la tendresse Pauline's CD of French songs, La tendresse, is an evocative collection of the songs of Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel and includes three original songs by Pauline. Produced by J. Knutson. La tendresse, has received extensive play on CBC Radio and Radio Canada. Disc Drive's producer called it, "a truly listenable CD, very intimate, a treat."

"This is stop-you-in-your-tracks singing."
    . . . Audrey Grescoe, The Undercurrent

Pour renseignements ou pour acheter son nouvel album, La tendresse, interprétant les chansons de Piaf, Brel, Leclerc et ses compositions, communiquer à : songspinner@shaw.ca or
from CD Isle at http//www.cdisle.ca/store/ and www.cdbaby.com.



crone cd front In 1999, Pauline released a CD of her own songs. Dancing with the Crone, is a tapestry of world beat, celtic and African chant that honours the archetype of the Wise Old Woman.

Many of the songs from the CD appear in Pauline's one-woman show, When the Grandmothers Speak, a weaving of song, dance and improvisation which portrays old age not as a failure, but as a ripening juicy, wise, and prophetic time for women and men.

CD Reviews:

"This is the finest goddess music CD of the year ... the perfect album to listen to by candlelight on a rainy evening. Each song wraps us up in a warm blanket of dark, compassionate Crone energy and wisdom."

    ... The Beltane Papers, Spring 2002

"Pauline has a dramatic voice, alternately rich and full or as old and mysterious as the mountains."
    ... Serpentine Music, 2003 catalogue

All three of Pauline's CDs are available through:
      ~ the Canadian on-line CD store at : www.cdisle.ca/store/
        -- (on the right side choose "world music" or "female artist" and you'll be able
        to listen to brief excerpts from both of Pauline's CDs)
      ~ or through Pauline's email songspinner@shaw.ca

                 

Reviewers praised her passionate portrayal of Edith Piaf in the musical she co-wrote:

piaf "Pauline Le Bel a une voix plus riche et plus métallique que celle de Piaf. Mais qu'elle se mette à chanter et c'est l'enchantement, la transformation, le miracle."
    ... (La Presse)
"There is more than a touch of magic in her performance...a musical instrument linked to a soul."
    ... (Victoria Times)
"Le Bel's voice is devastating. It combines raw power with discipline in a way that puts a lump in your throat and sends chills up your spine."
    ... (Foisy, CHQM Vancouver)
"Le Bel … a musical Bernhardt,"   ... (London Free Press)




pauline at home V O I C E S   I N   T H E   S O U N D

In 2005, Pauline created and organized a 3-day festival, Voices In The Sound to relive the magic of Bowen Island's history, to deepen our connection to the land and to each other. Hundreds of islanders and visitors walked the land, churned old-fashioned ice cream at the Union Steamship Picnic, "tapped their toes to Pauline's new musical" about Bowen, feasted on wild salmon, and marched in the Bull Kelp Orchestra Parade. This lively community festival brought together local artists, musicians, actors, historians, naturalists, storytellers and businesses to honour the past and dream the future of this island in the Salish Sea.

In 2006, Pauline recreated the festival and expanded the vision to include Squamish Nation storytellers and dancers, as well as the Squamish Seagoing Canoe Family in their 45 foot handmade cedar dugout canoe. www.voices.biac.ca. Pauline has put the festival on hold while she focuses on her music and writing.



V O C A L    G Y M

International vocal playshops with Pauline.

Pauline creates a playful and joyful setting where inhibitions and perfectionism are gratefully tossed aside and you find yourself caught up in the magic of making sound. Her playshops focus on breath, movement, range, resonance, and interpretation in a non-traditional way to help singers and non-singers integrate heart, mind, and body through song, and to increase your confidence and expressiveness no matter what genre of music you prefer.

Pauline has completed advanced studies with Richard Armstrong, founding member of the Roy Hart Theatre. She is a warm and compassionate teacher who brings insight and hilarity to her classes.

"I thought I would have to travel to Esalen to study voice in this way."
    ... Beata Barinbaum, Vocal Gym participant

"Pauline's workshops change lives. I witnessed shy people who have never sung, flower into their purest, most lovely essence."
    ... Corbin Keep, Wild cellist, Vocal Gym participant




U P C O M I N G    E V E N T S    2008

January 3-9 - Pauline will be in Oahu to open the Evolutionary Epic conference and to present her interactive science-based musical story of the universe. She will also offer participants her Vocal Gym playshop - www.EvolutionaryEpic.org

January 22 - March 11- Vocal Gym - 8 weekly sessions on Tuesday nights to integrate heart, mind and body through song. Dance Studio Bowen Island


January 24 - March 13 - Vocal Gym - 8 weekly sessions on Thursday nights to integrate heart, mind, and body through song. Cates Hill Chapel Bowen Island


February 12, 19 and 26 - Pauline will present her interactive science-based musical story of the universe to grades 4 and 5 at Bowen Island Community School


March 1 - Vocal Gym - full-day vocal playshop in Vancouver BC contact Pauline: songspinner@shaw.ca


March 22 - Whidbey Island, Washington. Vocal Gym Playshop. Beginners welcome. For info contact: Diane Shiner, Whidbey Institute: director@whidbeyinstitute.org


March 24 - Whidbey Island. Pauline will present her interactive science-based musical story of the universe at the Whidbey Institute Easter Celebration. Contact: director@whidbeyinstitute.org


July 11-18 - Transformational Arts Retreat: Creativity will save the world, Nevada City, California. Pauline will be a presenter at this international arts retreat, offering vocal and writing workshops, performing her interactive musical Universe Story, and collaborating with other artists including painter, Dana Lynn Andresen, to reclaim the power and purpose of art. www.awakeningarts.com


U P C O M I N G    E V E N T S    2009

June 24-28 Science Wisdom and The Future, San Luis Obispo, California. Pauline has been invited to present her musical Universe Story at this science conference, and will also present a paper on The Singing Universe. Other presenters include Barbara Marx Hubbard (Foundation for Conscious Evolution) physicist, Brian Swimme (California Institute for Integral Studies) and Michael Dowd (www.thegreatstory.org)
www.EpicandFuture.org




For more information about performances, vocal classes, and to purchase
CDs, DVDs and Song Spinner books, contact


Pauline Le Bel

P.O. Box D-70 Bowen Island BC Canada V0N 1G0
or send her


please email me