Soundbeam Award-Winning Composer Announces New Album Release: “The Lion’s Roar”
Victoria, BC—June 13th, 2014 — The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM), one of the largest and most respected community music schools in North America, is pleased to support the new release of composer and musician Ari Kinarthy and his second album, “The Lion’s Roar.” The new album is available from iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and at the album release party Friday, June 20th in VCM’s Wood Hall at 907 Pandora Ave., Victoria, British Columbia at 7:00pm. Although Ari was born with spinal muscular atrophy, which leaves him with very limited mobility, he will be able to perform his original compositions at the release party by utilizing Soundbeam—an acclaimed “touch free” device which uses sensor technology to translate movements into music and sound.Building on the success of Kinarthy’s 2012 debut “The Lion’s Journey,” “The Lion’s Roar” 
spans multiple genres, drawing on musical traditions from around the world made accessible by computer technology. That doesn’t mean the virtual orchestra just performs itself, however. Ari has not only mastered the skills it takes to compose using the Soundbeam, but he has become one of its foremost virtuosos. “I practice a lot,” said Kinarthy, who has been working together with VCM music therapist Allan Slade for several years. “Anyone can play the Soundbeam on their first try, but it takes an expert like Ari to use it to its full potential,” explains Slade.
Kinarthy gained Youtube fame and international press coverage for winning the Soundbeam competition in 2013, an international prize whose judging panel included Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones, conductor Charles Hazlewood, and composer Edward William. The judging panel commented that “Soundbeam’s status as a musical instrument becomes unassailable when it is used to create and perform music which could not have been played in any other way. Ari’s approach makes him a world-class Soundbeam virtuoso.” His videos have been shown all over the world and offer inspiration to other musicians with disabilities. While Ari discovered his creative talents through the innovative Music Therapy Department at Victoria Conservatory of Music, he is quick to point out that “this has grown into something more,” adding, “I never thought I could play music, but I now consider it my profession.”
Don’t miss composer and musician Ari Kinarthy in concert presented by Victoria Conservatory of Music at Wood Hall, Friday, June 20th at 7:00pm. Admission is by donation and copies of “The Lion’s Roar” will be available for purchase for $15 or online for $10. Also appearing is special guest artist Alex Klassen, who will …/2 premiere Ari Kinarthy’s new work for cello titled “Strive”.
About The Victoria Conservatory of Music is one of the largest and most respected community music schools in North America. The school’s upcoming 50th Anniversary Season will celebrate its accomplishments with the community, its alumni, faculty and students in a spectacular year of performances, activities and events. VCM is home to more than 130 faculty members and 4300 students of all ages and abilities in its community school, post-secondary school, children’s outreach, and music therapy programs. Founded in 1964, the Victoria Conservatory of Music is one of Canada’s most advanced music schools. Its mission is to enrich lives through music in a thriving community accessible to all. The VCM is a non-profit organization located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Soundbeam is a musical instrument which uses motion sensors and switches to translate body movements into music and sound. The device has small electronic apparatuses that emit ultrasonic waves. Much like sonar or motion detectors, the technology incorporates sensors that respond to disruptions of the wave pattern. Based on the movement that is detected, Soundbeam’s preprogrammed modules produce sound in the form of recorded musical instruments.
Check Ari out on the Soundbeam as he performs his track ‘ Pain Emotion ‘
More information about Ari on Facebook or his website can be found at:
Download Ari Kinarthy ‘Lion’s Roar’ Release in PDF Format Media Contact: Blaine Jeffery |Manager of Marketing and Social Media T: 250.386.5311 | E: [email protected]
