Bring a picnic lunch and a blanket and join us for a free, outdoor, family-friendly concert at the Okotoks Art Gallery!
Brought to you by the Town of Okotoks Culture & Heritage with sponsorship from the Okotoks Arts Council.
*In the event of poor weather, the event will move inside the art gallery.
The Prairie Belles Trio featuring:
Madeline Bailey
Madeline Bailey has played violin for over twenty five years, including 14 years as a violin educator. She has performed with a variety of ensembles and orchestras, including the University of Lethbridge Conservatory Orchestra, Coulee Fiddlers, The Calgary Civic Symphony, Symphony of the Kootenays, Calgary Jazz Orchestra, IL Divo (2019 tour) Disturbed (2023 tour) and in Michael Buble's orchestra during the Alberta leg of his 2014, 2019, and 2022 World Tours. She currently manages and performs in a Duo called” Arrow Creek”, focusing on folk and Irish music. She is certified in the Ward Method of Music Instruction. Awards include numerous first place finishes in the Kiwanis Festival, and she holds a Grade 10 RCM certification. Madeline is currently a full time violin teacher and performer in Alberta. In 2022, Madeline founded the Wild Rose Youth Strings orchestra with friend and colleague Karen Dees. When she’s not performing or teaching, Madeline keeps busy spending time with her husband Robbie, and 3 beautiful daughters.
Amberly Steed
Amberly began her piano studies at age 5, and progressed through the Royal Conservatory program through grade 10. She then attended the University of Lethbridge and completed a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. After graduating from university she taught piano lessons and worked as a freelance musician. In the following years Amberly and her husband welcomed 4 beautiful children into their home. At that time she scaled back her piano studio and discontinued freelancing to give her time to raising their little ones. Now that all of their children are in school full time, she is becoming more involved in music again. Amberly continues to teach piano, and she accompanies the Foothills Philharmonic Chorus. She also enjoys arranging and composing music for herself and her children.
Karen Dees
Karen has been playing cello since the age of 10, taking lessons and playing in a variety of junior orchestras until the age of 18, when she passed her Grade 9 RCM exam with Honours. She continued to play even after getting married and starting a family. These days, besides being wife to Dan and mom to three teenage boys, she is busy with several initiatives, including a private cello studio in High River, a lunchtime string group at Brant Christian School and together with another local violinist, Madeline Bailey, she runs the Wild Rose Youth Strings program - a community initiative serving young musicians in the High River and Okotoks area. She is also principal cellist of the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra.
Karen is passionate about sharing her love of music with both youth and adults, especially in bringing musicians together to experience the joy of making music together.