LEVI DAWSON
Drummer
Levi Dawson’s parents noticed from an early age that he was always tapping on things and creating different beats and rhythms. Dawson got his first drum set for Christmas when he was two years old. “I received a new drum set each time I outgrew the current one, Dawson says. “I started playing the drums in music class at elementary school.” “I find performing fun. I really like the rush of adrenaline as soon as we start to play. I feel happy when I’m playing music and I like making the audience happy with
our music too. When I’m performing, I forget about all my stresses.”
to be creative in learning how to hold drumsticks and accommodate for my lack of mobility. My arms/ shoulders/hands can get tired easily by drumming, as well.” “I am the drummer for Canorous Paradise, which is a band that me and three of my friends started this year at school. We have played for the school a few times, we have played a set at the College of Piping for Band Blast, and we are playing this summer at R ock the Boat. We are playing on the same stage, on the same day, as Our Lady Peace!”
Dawson lives with a condition called
arthrogryposis (AMC) that is caused by low amniotic fluid in the womb. “Due to the lack of movement while I was developing, my muscles and tendons didn’t develop as expected, leading to joint contractures,” explains Dawson, “I do not have biceps so I cannot actively bend my arms, and my left knee only bends to about 20 degrees. My shoulders, feet, and hands are also impacted. I had
▲ Levi Dawson Photo by Story Thorburn
LAUREN DYKEMAN
Dancer
Dancer and performer Lauren Dykeman is nineteen and started her first dance class when she was only three years old. “After about six years, I decided to try something new and started in recreational musical theatre classes at InterAction School of Performing Arts in my hometown, Saint John, New Brunswick. I took several classes there over the years including acting intensives, musical theatre dance classes, and group performance classes.”
guitar. “I was able to land a few gigs singing and playing and it grew over my high school career. I ended up performing in the summer for several years at local patios, restaurants, and festivals,” Dykeman says. “At the same time, I was doing musicals and playing euphonium in the concert band at my high school, Harbour View High.” This summer Dykeman will be dancing with the Xclusiv Crew, led by Dawn Ward and Joe Dames in their brand new show, Island Vibe! .
“When I was younger, I did more jazz and musical theatre. Since I started dancing with Dawn in September 2021, I have focused more on hip-hop, Afro jazz, contemporary, and several other styles that she has exposed her groups to! My horizons have broadened since meeting her!” Watch for Dykeman on stage this summer at the Confederation Centre of the Arts outdoor amphitheatre!
By seventh grade Dykeman picked up a
▲ Lauren Dykeman Photo by Story Thorburn
SUMMER 2022 www.pei-living.ca
41
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker