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White Coat, Black Art·Music

How a Calgary musician gave the gift of music to help relieve pandemic anxiety

After losing most of her work to COVID and seeing stress and anxiety in those around her, Calgary concert harpist Gianetta Baril converted a van into a rolling concert hall and toured B.C. and Alberta bringing the gift of music in the form of outdoor concerts at seniors’ residences and in parks and campgrounds.

Concert harpist Gianetta Baril spent 2 months touring in a van she converted into a rolling concert hall

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Gianetta Baril, a professional concert harpist in Calgary, Alta., lost most of her work due to COVID-19. She found a way to perform despite restrictions that isolated her from her audience. (Submitted by Gianetta Baril)
White Coat Black Art4:04How a Calgary musician’s ‘rolling concert hall’ gave the gift of music to help relieve pandemic anxiety

This is a story from White Coat, Black Art's series called Prescription for Resilience: Coping with COVID on the many challenges people are facing during the pandemic, and what they're doing to find resilience.

Gianetta Baril is a professional concert harpist in Calgary. Last summer, after losing most of her work due to COVID-19, she found a way to perform, despite restrictions that isolated her from her audience.

She bought a van and turned it into a tiny home and rolling concert hall. In September and October, she toured through Alberta and B.C., bringing people together with the gift of music.

She played concerts outside seniors' residences, in campgrounds, on front lawns and in parks. She is planning a cross-country tour to start in April. 

Photos: Baril's 'rolling concert hall'

Baril realized during a hospital stay last summer that she needed to find a way to bring music to people to help relieve the stress and anxiety brought on by the pandemic. (Submitted by Gianetta Baril)
Baril toured through B.C. and Alberta last fall, playing at seniors’ residences, in campgrounds, on front lawns and in parks. (Jeff Chan/United Active Living Fish Creek Calgary)
Baril’s cat, Misty, accompanied her on her tour through Alberta and B.C. last fall. (Submitted by Gianetta Baril)
Baril plays in her 'rolling concert hall' van in Slave Lake, Alta. (Submitted by Gianetta Baril )
Baril with her harp, named Amadei, is now planning a cross-country tour to start in April. (Jennifer Keene/CBC)

Watch | Baril's journey through Alberta and B.C

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