Who is The Purple Bassoonist?
Kira Greenlees - The Purple Bassoonist
In the beginning, there was a bassoon. Actually, there was (almost) a flute, but Kira’s high school had far too many flautists, so Kira claimed “that tall stick thing over there” as her own. Since that fateful day, the bassoon and Kira’s personal motto of “Have Bassoon, Will Travel”, have led Kira to perform with numerous ensembles across southern Ontario, teach music to beginning and intermediate wind and percussion band students, arrange pieces for wind quintet, open a bassoon cane processing and reed making business and, most recently, has led Kira to venture into the realm of electric bassoon.
Kira’s arrangements for quintet have been performed in Tkaronto (Toronto), Ontario by the Pentacle Wind Quintet, of which she is a founding member, and by other quintets in the GTA. Kira is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music Degree in Classical Bassoon Performance at the University of Toronto, under the tutelage of Eric Hall.
When Kira isn’t performing, teaching, studying, or making reeds, Kira can be found exploring the applications of electric bassoon in alternative genres such as punk, metal, and hardcore. Besides playing the bassoon, Kira is known for her flexibility in instrumentation choices and is also quite adept with French horn, trombone, clarinet, percussion, flute, and guitar.
Resume Selections
Music Career Development
2014 - Present
Live Performance
Kira has performed across Ontario with a number of ensembles; some of which include the Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra, Ontario Pops Orchestra, Pentacle Wind Quintet, the combined HMCS York/HMCS Star Bands of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, Etobicoke Community Concert Band, Toronto Concert Band, Concert Band Association of Ryerson, Barrie Concert Band, and the University of Toronto Wind Symphony and Wind Ensembles.
2019 - Present
Teaching
Aside from her own teaching studio where she has taught individual lessons on bassoon, Kira has also worked in more large-scale ensemble teaching roles. Most notably, Kira previously worked in a volunteer role as co-director of the music program at Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 53 Barrie from 2019-2022, where she taught music to beginning-intermediate wind band and percussion students aged 12-19.
To schedule individual lessons with Kira, please visit our "Contact" page, or e-mail thepurplebassoonist@gmail.com
2023 - Present
Reed Supply
Kira is the sole proprietor of The Purple Bassoonist. As the business's only employee, Kira is also the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Graphic Designer, Director of Social Media Marketing, Chief of Procurement, Tool Inspector, Director of Quality Control, Director of Cane Processing, Chief Reed Craftsman, Chief of Imagination, and Creative Director. With a list that long, there couldn't possibly be more, right? Well hold on to your hats folks, because there's more! Without further ado and last but certainly not least, Kira holds possibly the most frightening job in the company of all. Kira is also... Kira's Manager. Alas, poor Kira, we knew her well...
Despite having Kira as both a subordinate and a boss, Kira perseveres and continues working hard to ensure the success of The Purple Bassoonist. Our one-bassoonist team wouldn't have made it as far as we have without her valiant efforts.