Munn, Alexandra

Alexandra “Sandra” Marguerite Munn was born on September 16, 1934 in Calgary, Alberta where she began to play the piano. She received her education at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where she studied with Irwin Freundlich. She also studies vocals/chamber with Sergius Kagan, Robert Mann and Fritz Lehman. Munn furthered her piano education with Guido Agosti, Siena, Italy.

At the start of her career she played piano in New York lounges before joining the Calgary Philharmonic, playing with the orchestra for seven years. Munn was also the musical director of the Banff Centre's music theatre school.

Munn joined the University of Alberta (U of A) to teach music in 1962. While at the U of A she conducted the Edmonton Opera Chorus (1966), the Richard Eaton Singers (1967-1973), and the Da Camera Singers (1968-1973). She retired from the U of A in 1991, after teaching for 29 years. Munn was made Professor Emeritus at the U of A.

Along with being a teacher, Munn was also a performer, performing as a soloist and alongside other artists for both regional and national programs including CBC Radio and Television and CTV. She also was adjudicator for music festivals throughout Canada.

Munn was awarded the Y.W.C.A. Women of the Year in the Arts and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. She was also made a member of the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame.

In 2015 she was teaching at MacEwan University’s Alberta College Conservatory of Music and directed The Edmonton Bach Project.

Updated by M.F. 1 Apr. 2022.

https://yeglive.ca/artists/lqmh2871/alexandra-munn (accessed 11 Mar. 2022) https://edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/alberta/with-the-edmonton-bach-project-a-local-legend-gives-voice-to-her-dream-project (accessed 11 Mar. 2022) https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sandra-munn-emc (accessed 11 Mar. 2022)