Mika Posen

Violin & Viola

CURRICULUM VITAE

 

EDUCATION

Masters of Arts • Ethnomusicology • York University • 2012

Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BAS) • University of Guelph •  2006

Suzuki Violin Teacher Training • Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute • 2007, 2008, 2017

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Music Archivist • Library and Archives Canada (2023-Present)

Research Assistant • Canadian Museum of History (2017-2023) 

Contract Instructor • Carleton University, Faculty of Music (2018, 2019)

Artistic Director • Ottawa New Music Creators (2019-2021)

Violin Teacher • Orkidstra Ottawa (2017-present), Toronto Suzuki Studio (2016-2017), Fieldstone Day School (2016-2017), Toronto Academy of Music (2007-2010). 

Freelance Violinist & Violist • Toronto, Berlin, Guelph, Ottawa (2006 – 2019)

 

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Bands

  • Andy Shauf (2015)

  • Agnes Obel (2013-2014)

  • Timber Timbre (2008-2013)

  • Classic Albums Live (2006-2017, 2024)

  • The Pining (2007-2013)

  • Kite Hill (2007-2013)

  • Forest City Lovers (2006-2009)

  • Lily Frost (2006-2009)

  • The Aline Morales Band (Brazilian folk music) (2008-2010)

  • Additional appearances with Broken Social Scene (2010-2011), Snowblink (2013), The Meligrove Band (2006-2007), The Wooden Sky (2007-2009), Ken Reume (2006-2007), Laura Barrett (2007)

Contemporary/Experimental/Improvisation

  • X-Avant Festival, Toronto (2016)

  • TONE Festival, Toronto (2016)

  • Euphonia Chamber Orchestra (2016-present)

  • AIMToronto Orchestra (Violin 2008-2009)

  • University of Guelph Contemporary Ensemble (Violin 2004-2006)

  • imartron (2005-2006)

  • Appearances in improvisational performances such as COBRA (May 2005), The Leftover Daylight Series (September 2006), On a Limb (March 2007)

Classical Ensembles

  • Royal Conservatory Orchestra (Violin 2007)

  • Brampton Lyric Opera Orchestra (Violin 2007)

  • Guelph Symphony Orchestra (Viola/Violin 2005-2006)

  • University of Guelph Chamber Music Ensemble (Viola/Violin 2005-2006)

  • University of Guelph Orchestra (Violin 2002-2004, Viola 2005)

Musical Theatre

  • Curtain Call Productions Cabaret (Music Director/Conductor 2004)

  • Curtain Call Productions Annie Get Your Gun (Violin 2003)

 

RECORDINGS

String arrangements and Violin/Viola performances on:

  • Timber Timbre: Hot Dreams (2014)

  • Agnes Obel: Aventine Deluxe Version (2014)

  • Last Ex: Last Ex (2014)

  • Agnes Obel: Aventine (2013)

  • Basia Bulat: Tall Tall Shadow (2013)

  • For Esme: Just Yet (2013)

  • Maylee Todd: Escapology (2013)

  • Evening Hymns: Spectral Dusk (2012)

  • Kite Hill: Rest and Run (2012)

  • Lisa Bozikovic: This Is How We Swim (2012)

  • The Pining: The Pining (2011)

  • Timber Timbre: Creep On Creepin’ On (2011)

  • Hooded Fang: Album (2010)

  • Forest City Lovers: Carriage (2010)

  • Evening Hymns: Spirit Guides (2009)

  • Friends in Bellwoods Compliation CD (2009): Violin on tracks by Forest City Lovers, Kite Hill, and Great Bloomers.

  • Timber Timbre: Timber Timbre (2009)

  • Forest City Lovers: Haunting Moon Sinking (2008)

  • Ken Reaume: Four Horses (2007)

  • Friends in Bellwoods Compilation CD (2007) : Violin on tracks by Alight, Bry Webb and Casey Mecija, Jonas Bonnetta, Oak Oak.

  • Alight: The Story of Glass Part I: Erosion (2003)

Violin/Viola session performances on:

  • Nick Schofield : Ambient Ensemble (2024)

  • Bruce Peninsula : No Earthly Sound (2021)

  • Aeolian : The Negationist (2020)

  • Jennifer Castle : Angels of Death (2018)

  • Rob Dickson : Through Your Window (2018)

  • The Weather Station : The Weather Station (2017)

  • Ansley Simpson: Breakwall (2017)

  • Rob Dickson: Proof of Our Years (2016)

  • Her Harbour : Go Gently Into The Night (2016)

  • Steve Lambke: Days of Heaven (2015)

  • Erik Knive Skodvin: Flame (2014)

  • Feist/Timber Timbre: “Don’t Give Up” on And I’ll Scratch Yours (2013)

  • Eons: Arctic Radio (2013)

  • Zeus: Busting Visions (2012)

  • Danielle Duval: Of the Valley (2011)

  • Gabe Levine: Long Spun Thread (2010)

  • Lily Frost: Viridian Torch (2010)

  • Nadja: Under the Jaguar Sun (2009)

  • Aidan Baker: Limnoids/Lifeforms (2009)

  • The Wooden Sky: If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m Gone (2009)

  • The Hylozoists: L’Ile de Sept Villes (2009)

  • Andre Ethier: Born of Blue Fog (2008)

  • C’Mon: Bottled Lightning (2007)

  • The Old Soul: Gold (2007)

Solo Recordings:

  • Merganzer: Montage (2019)

  • Merganzer: Mirror Maze (2015)

  • The Meek: Songs That Travel In Waves (2012)

 

FILM/TV

  • Violin: Wildhood (2021)

  • Violin: Strange & Familiar: Architecture on Fogo Island (2015)

  • Score: Friday Afternoon - Experimental video by Timothy I. Smith (2015)

  • Score : The Moving Gaze - Experimental video by Timothy I. Smith (2015)

  • Score: The Foreigner - Short film by Maya Desprès-Bedward (2014)

  • Contributing Score Composer (with Timber Timbre): Foxfire - Feature film by Laurent Cantet (2012)

  • Violin: Lunarcy - Feature Film by Simon Ennis (2012)

  • Viola : Being Erica (theme song) - CBC TV show (2009)

  

HONOURS

  • WINNER - Best Music for “Cloud Cover” - Experimental Film and Music Video Festival, Toronto (2018)

  • Polaris Prize Short List for Timber Timbre’s Creep on Creepin’ On (2011) and Hot Dreams (2014)

  • Juno Nomination (best alternative album) for Timber Timbre’s Creep on Creepin’ On (2012) and Hot Dreams (2015)

  • University of Guelph Essay Prize in Music (2006)

  • University of Guelph Ralph and Edith Kidd Scholarship in Music (2005)

  • University of Guelph Friends of Music In-Course Scholarship (2005)