In a small town in northern Ontario called Chapleau, a piano instructor named Kassandra-Anne Demers has successfully transformed the iconic music of Queen into a captivating medley with the help of her students after a two-year endeavor. The project, initiated in early 2023, involved crafting a medley that included popular Queen hits like “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “We Will Rock You,” tailored to suit the varying proficiency levels of her students at the Chapleau Piano Academy.
Describing the process as akin to a musical puzzle, Demers explained that each student recorded their individual part, which she meticulously pieced together later to create a harmonious arrangement. Immersing herself in Queen’s music by repeatedly listening to their songs, sometimes at a slower pace, Demers painstakingly extracted every intricate detail from the tracks.
With students attending lessons both in-person and remotely from locations as far as Texas, Demers amalgamated all the recorded segments into a seamless medley. Through this project, she aimed to foster a sense of community among her students and instill a passion for learning music.
Reflecting on her own upbringing in Chapleau, Demers expressed her desire to create a supportive artistic community where budding talents could thrive. She aspires to use the power of the arts to unite individuals and make a positive impact by bringing people together through music and creativity.
