Rosemary Siemens

Rosemary Siemens is a violinist and singer, formerly from Plum Coulee, Manitoba. She has received a considerable amount of recognition, and has collaborated with artists such as Roy Tan, Eli Bennett, Orlando and Grace Sukkau, and Mary Zilba.

Background

She has been called Vancouver’s improvisational violin sensation.^[1] She plays a 300 plus year old violin which was played in King Louis XIV’s orchestra.^[2] She is also a recipient of the Global Music Award Gold Medal.^[3]

She grew up in Plum Coulee, and went to school in Altona. After she graduated, she went to the University of British Columbia. There she did to do her undergrad. She then attended the University of Miami for her masters degree.^[4]

Career

She was a member of Destino, a group founded by Joey Niceforo. Originally the group was a trio consisting of Niceforo, Siemens and Roy Tan. Later the group was expanded to a quartet with the addition of Terance Reddick. Some of the venues they appeared at were the Beijing Summer Olympics, the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas. They have also appeared on NBC and ABC TV networks, Entertainment Tonight, Canada AM, and E-talk.^[5]

Her debut solo album was Plum Coulee, My Home which was inspired for her love of local fiddle music.^[6] The album was a roots-type of project for her as it is about the town where she comes from. She officially debuted the album in a live event backed by her group, The Sweet Sound Revival.^[7]

Violin incident

In April 2016 after finish a set at a California art museum, she left her 1714-made violin and amplifier outside the hotel room while she and a friend were carrying other items inside. A short time later the violin and it's 130 year old bow were taken. A frantic search began that involved the police, friends and even an Uber. They searched pawn shops, dumpsters and asked people if they had seen anything. A prayer was even held in a parking lot. Hours later while waiting at the airport, she received a text from a friend that a man with a hoodie had returned the violin to the hotel.^[8]

Collaborations

In 2012, Siemens and Roy Tan recorded the Once Upon a Dream album. It was produced by Daryl Bennett.^[9]

In March 2016, Siemens on piano, along with Eli Bennett on saxophone and Jessee Sukkau on vocals backed Mary Zilba of Real Housewives. They recorded a single "#VancoUBER" and released it on Youtube as part of a growing desire to see Uber in Vancouver.^[10] Also in 2016, Siemens collaborated with recording artists Orlando and Grace Sukkau from Winkler, Manitoba.^[11] The three of them opened the Coulee Foundation annual general meeting, performing an original composition about Plum Coulee.^[12] While at the Americana Music Association’s Gospel Brunch in September 2016, she shared the stage with Grammy winner Cece Winans during the event's during the closing jam.^[13]

Television

• Chef in Your Ear - 2015^[14]

Discography

References