Featured Artist: Virginia Jessica Sparvier-Wells (Jessica McMann)
We are honoured to feature Virginia Jessica Sparvier-Wells, an Alberta-based Cree, multi-disciplinary artist whose work bridges music, movement, identity, and land. A registered member of Cowessess First Nation, Jessica is a classically trained flutist with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary and an MFA in Contemporary Arts from Simon Fraser University. Her artistry seamlessly blends traditional language and dance with her lived experiences as an Indigenous woman and Two-Spirit person, creating performances that are both contemporary and deeply rooted in cultural history.
Jessica’s compositions and soundscapes explore ideas of connection, disconnection, and home — themes reflected in works such as Muskwa’s Mountain Home (2021), Inni (2018), and beguiling (the) land (2020). Her music often emerges from land-based creation, drawing inspiration and emotional resonance directly from the places that shape her stories and identity.
Her featured work for Sounds Like Alberta was inspired by Highwood Pass and Grizzly Peak in southern Alberta — landscapes that are closed for much of the year due to bear activity. In reflecting on the piece, Jessica writes:
“When I think of home, I think of the land… the rolling foothills, the coulees and valleys, the prairie grasses and berry bushes, the hot sun and the crackling cold of the winter… I hope that this evocative piece will transport you to these places where the bear lives.”
Through her music, Jessica invites listeners to experience the land as a living presence — one that shapes memory, identity, and belonging. We are proud to share her voice with RMSO audiences during our 10th Anniversary Season.
The RMSO will be performing an original piece by Jessica (Muskwa’s Mountain) as part of the Sounds Like Alberta concert on January 31 (Bert Church Theatre) and February 1, 2026 (RockPointe Church Bearspaw). At the same concert, the RMSO will be performing original pieces by Donovan Seidle (Wildies – Wild Horses of Alberta) and Daniel Pelton (Duet for Percussion and Orchestra).
Donovan Seidle is a Calgary-based composer and musician whose work blends classical training with contemporary influences, creating music that is both thoughtful and immediately engaging. Known for his collaborative spirit and curiosity, Donovan enjoys exploring how music can connect people, stories, and communities in fresh ways. We’re delighted to feature his work with RMSO and look forward to sharing his music with our audiences.
Daniel Pelton is a Canadian composer known for writing music that is playful, vivid, and easy to connect with, while still offering depth for musicians and listeners alike. His Duet for Orchestra and Percussion puts rhythm front and centre, creating a lively back-and-forth between the solo percussionist and the full orchestra. The piece feels conversational and energetic—sometimes bold, sometimes surprising—and invites audiences to experience the orchestra in a fresh, engaging way. Pelton’s work is regularly performed by ensembles across Canada, and he is celebrated for his ability to make contemporary music feel welcoming, curious, and full of personality.