Dawn Callan

Artist, Composer/Poet and Musician
dawncallan@sympatico.ca

Dawn considers herself a “Small Town Canadian” - having spent her formative years moving from  place to place first with her family and then on her own (East York, Picton, Parry Sound, Maitland, Peterborough, Banff, Toronto, Kingston, Edmonton and Marmora). Her constants where ever she went was artistic/musical creativity and the many wonderful people who share those passions.

The Callan/Mumby family is a highly artistic conglomeration who started Dawn off with exposure to the arts, piano and choral lessons in early childhood and has supported every musical/stage/arts venture since. While formally trained in sculpture, mixed media, music, theory, history and administration of the arts - it has taken many years of exploration and the mastery of spell check, before she truly found her niche. 

Many marvelous family members, friends and mentors such as Marilyn Yeats and Pierre Berton have helped her in her journey with sage advice and encouragement. Today she enjoys her multifaceted life as a musician with Gopher Baroque, an independent artist and capacity builder with the Ontario Trillium Foundation where she puts her Behavioral Sciences, Social Work BA , Rehabilitation, counsellor, event/volunteer manager and management background to good use.

Professional Recognition Includes: Her first public showing at age 16; Factor New Writer’s Grants for four songs; Having a works published in "Surfacing" the Canadian Chamber of Contemporary Poetry (example of the modern Canadian ballad), and "Twilight Musings" published as the Editor’s Choice Pin International Society of Poetry 2005 compilation.

Dawn is a Founding Member Laureat of the International Society of Poets and true believer in life long learning, community services, audience development, youth/new talent, preservation of history and independent music/musicians - she lends her time and talent where she can.  

Current / Previous Professional Affiliations: Seven C’s Enterprises, Gopher Baroque, SOCAN, BMI, and North American Folk Music & Dance Alliance, International Musician’s Union, On Council of Folk Festivals.