What reviewers say about Carol Ann Weaver and her music:

 “Weaver’s music deserves national recognition: it’s too important to hear only once in a while.” (Finch-Durichen in The Record, Kitchener)

“Her compositions are excellently-crafted, allowing her to demonstrate her sparkling, versatile, often humorous talent as a pianist.” (King in International Alliance for Women in Music Journal)

“Awakenings is an artful melange of words, music, styles, and expression that sits on the edge of definition . . . and clearly challenges the genre police ” (Raine-Reusch in MUSICWORKS)

“Dancing Rivers is a richly textured fusion of classical, folk, worldbeat and jazz that bridges the cultures of Africa and North America.” (Reid in The Record)

“With its Canadian and African components so instinctively blended, Dancing Rivers poses an inviting enigma. Is it Canadian? African? International? More importantly – does it matter?” (Finch in Waterloo Chroincle)

“Journey Begun resonates with wonder, joy, celebration, and hope.” (Gray in MUSICWORKS)

“Canadian composer, Carol Ann Weaver, gets Rivets rocking! Drawing on a pool of gifted South African artists, her eye for talent couldn’t have been sharper.”(Ephraim in Sunday Times KZN, South Africa)

“DANCING RIVERS” is yet another testimony to Weaver’s undying passion for Africa” (Breslin in UW Imprint)

“Weaver’s music sustains a spontaneity and joy which are rare indeed.” (Kroetsch, in MUSICWORKS)

“Journey Begun is full of surprises with its diverse soundscape” (UW Imprint)

“This music … integrates material not only across geography, but also from idioms often considered separate: Western classical, jazz, pop, and New Age” (Edwards in IAWM Journal (International Alliance of Women in Music)

“This music is rich and complex with intricate relationships among instruments and voices” (Paape in Herizons)

“The appeal of her work is universal, extending beyond gender and conventional musical divisions.” (Todd in Ottawa Citizen)

“Weaver doesn’t often use her jazz voice for rollicking, but for earthy punch. This music is soulful, introspective, accessible, clearly enticing.” (Johnston in The Record, Kitchener)

“Journey Begun is a genre-bender, fresh and daring, pushing parameters of musical style.” (CKWR Radio)

“From the first sonorous bass note to the last fade of the string quartet Journey Begun is an incredible experience.” – Currie (The Record, Kitchener)

“Both Carol Ann Weaver and Cate Friesen are dazzling performers whose work is groundbreaking for translating Mennonite aesthetic values into contemporary experimental terms.” (Di Brandt, Canadian poet)

about South Africa Music/Culture Trips (UW–Durban,SA) led by CAW

“This trip lit a fire under me – my life was changed in three weeks – it was the greatest adventure of my life!” – student

“This was by far the most memorable trip I have ever been on. The energy of the Zulu’s is absolutely incredible and by the end of the trip, you can feel their music pumping through your veins. You really get to see all aspects of South Africa. The rich and the poor, the culture and the atmosphere. It really makes one stop to really appreciate the world around them.”  – student

“My life was changed in three weeks.  The life lessons I gained from this trip to South Africa are like none other.  We were thrown into a world and a culture so different from ours, but we were caught with open arms and hearts.”  – student

“This trip has changed the way I see myself in relation to the world, and in relation to other people. I’ve never been so sure of my own beliefs than after this trip. I feel like I now know how I fit into the world.” – student

“I will remember this trip for the rest of my life.  Being able to experience so much and in such cultural depth in such a little time frame was unbelievable and wonderful.” – student

“Being welcomed into the [African] drum circle felt surreal – playing alongside strangers from a different land, dancing in their midst  – I only DREAMED of doing something like this in my LIFE, and I certainly didn’t expect to do it on this trip.”      – student

“Everything about the trip was better than imaginable.  I’m still speechless.”  – student

“I will be talking about this trip for the rest of my life.” – student

“This trip to Durban was more than I ever thought possible in 18 days.” – student

“Seeing the vast separation between ‘middle-class’ and poor in South Africa and comparing that to the wealth, opportunity and resources here has made a significant impact on how I want to live my life.” – student

“It seemed like everyday was filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and opportunities.” – student