Lorraine Klaasen

Lorraine Klaasen at Museum London's Black Lives Matter exhibit, August 20, 2020. Photo Credit: Jamelie Hassan

Lorraine Klaasen is a South African born singer/performer and a 2013 Canadian JUNO Award winner. In 2020, The Forest City London Music Award (FCLMA) was presented to Lorraine in the category of World Music. She has been performing and recording music in Canada for over 30 years and she’s also conducted music workshops in schools all over Canada, the Caribbean and the United States.  Her outreach program focuses on South African music, arts and culture with an emphasis on how immigrant cultures have enriched Canada. See Lorraine's recent virtual living room performance here.  Lorraine is a recent addition to the ECH community connecting with co-founder Jamelie Hassan via their children who work together in Global Affairs Canada. 

Lorraine Klaasen on her recent Forest City London Music Award : "Wonderful to be receiving this award and thank you to FCLMA for their continued support of arts and culture. Music plays a vital role in the face of racism and oppression and I just want to make people happy with my gift of music."

In 2021, Songs of My Mother, compilation with Lorraine Klaasen and other African musicians will be released by Batuki Music Society. Her new single 'LESEDI' is featured in a new project called Seven Chapters of Mystery by NGOMA ZETHU. This is a Pan African Cultural Revolution featurung 7 artists from across the continent of Africa.

​Read about Lorraine on the London Music Office site. 

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Lorraine Klaasen’s Educational & Cultural Community Outreach Program

Duration of Workshop: 45 minutes or client’s discretion

Scope of Workshop:

• A brief self-introduction including life in South Africa, history, culture, childhood experiences, early interest in the arts and professional training. 
• A brief background on how artist integrated into Canadian society.
• Introduction of a song in one of the South African languages, its meaning and the style of music.

This is followed by a performance of two or three more songs to educate workshop participants in Southern African music, rhythms, story telling and its impact to the rest of the world including Canada. Before and during the song performance, the artist teaches the participants how to pronounce a few phrases in songs that are sang in isiZulu, isiXhosa and seSotho languages of South Africa. A call and response style of African singing is shared with the audience.

The last song selection is chosen for the full participation of the class and participants. Where it’s permitted, the audience is welcome to dance or join artist on stage for a short demonstration of African dance moves.

After the performance, artist opens the floor for any questions the participants may have regarding the artist’s professional life, the workshop, music, the history of the songs, the country of South Africa and about any resourceful information participants may need to get more knowledge of topics covered in the workshops.

Goals & Objectives:
Arts and culture are the most fundamental practices of all human beings and they are very important in promoting racial harmony especially in multi-ethnic societies including Canada.  Art, music, dance and literature always help to increase the awareness of a multi-cultural world and the contributions made by all.

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