“Clearly, Carmen Braden is an exceptional artist with distinct stories and music that Canadians, and the world, need to hear.”- John Miller, Artistic Producer, Stratford Summer Music
Carmen Braden is a versatile, genre-jumping musician from the Canadian sub-Arctic.. As a performer, Carmen is “growing into the role of acoustic ambassador of the Canadian Subarctic” (Musicworks). She has played intimate theatres and MainStage folk festivals. Her contemporary classical compositions are nationally recognized, with commissions and performances by world class ensembles and performers including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, James Ehnes and the Canadian Chamber Choir.
She released her second album Songs of the Invisible Summer Stars in 2019, her first album Ravens in 2017. Her latest recording Seed Songs, released in 2021, garnered three Music NWT award nominations - Best New Album, Music Video Award (The Mind is Wild), and Songwriter Award of Excellence.
Both Carmen’s songs and her contemporary classical music are tied to her northern soundscape. She draws from her environment by examining natural+human phenomena through sonic, visual, sensual and scientific ways of understanding. Her creative journeys have led her into deep study of lake ice, northern life, raven calls, bedrock… Carmen often collaborates with other mediums including dance, theatre, film, and story-telling.
As an educator, Carmen regularly gives customized workshops, individual instruction, guest lectures and collaboration facilitation ranging from elementary-level to university graduate level.