These stones, ancient, raw, grand,

My song is the ancestors speaking through me, she is my voice, boundless and free.

I still greenly grow

covers and water pillows

a blanket of subtle sky wool

These stones, ancient, raw, grand, My song is the ancestors speaking through me, she is my voice, boundless and free. I still greenly grow covers and water pillows a blanket of subtle sky wool

 

Writing

Natalie’s writing is described as multidimensional and thought-provoking.

Poetry

Natalie recites her poetry at concerts and community events. Her poems have also been set to music by composers.

Poetry Publications & Commissions

  • Published in Arc Poety Magazine’s Fall 2024 Issue (Arc.105)

    “This issue’s guest editor, Laila Malik, establishes at the beginning of her editor’s note a dreadful feeling that has become all too familiar: “Of late, home, with its promise of sanctuary, has been perplexingly more absent than usual.” In this special themed issue, poets and writers from around the world reflect on what the idea of “home” means to them.”

  • Commissioned by Chronos Vocal Ensemble. The poem, set to music by Matthew Emery, is about the pandemic, based on Anna Maria Almond’s COVID-19 story. The piece is dedicted to her and all victims of COVID-19.

    I Breathe Poem

    I Breathe Composition Link

  • This poem was set to music by Matthew Emery, in a commission by the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth. The poem explores themes of how with all of our beautiful differences of identity, we are all also human. What would life be if we embraced both at once?

  • This poem was set to music in a multidisciplinary video by Slow Pitch Sound and the Gather Round Singers, as part of the Grounds for Goodness project. The poem was translated into ASL by Tamyka Bullen. The poem explores how just like ants, together we may build homes of belonging with and for each other.

Articles

Natalie’s published articles about art and leadership.

“Don’t Forget About Us” - Walk With Amal at Luminato Festival The Wholenote Magazine June 2023

Podium Conference and Change Leadership Choral Canada "Anacrusis" November 2022

Reimagining Concerts Longy School of Music "The Ensemble" February 2022

Composition as Journey and Memoir Choirs Ontario "Dynamic” March 2022

Choral Music in the Pandemic and Beyond Choral Canada "Anacrusis" February 2021

Building Connection in Times of Isolation (co-writer) Canadian Music Education Association Journal June 2020