Five years of writing and composing have been well worth it. Never give up is the philosophy that’s keeping 27-year-old award-winning Toronto drummer Lorie Wolf on a journey to the top of her craft. 
 
Wolf started playing drums at 17. “I started with my neighbor, a rock drummer,” she said during a recent interview. “When I made enough money, I took [drum] lessons. I paid for the drums to get started.” Over time she became more involved with her performances and the music industry. “I played at school assemblies. At 19, I played during brunch at a restaurant.” 

In today’s era, there are many options one can take when deciding on which music to compose and perform. Wolf chose jazz following the influence of her older brother, who listens to jazz. “[I am] really geared towards being expressive,” she said. “Jazz is really musical.”

Wolf is in a band called Sisters of Sheynville, an all-female Toronto-based group playing a combination of Yiddish, swing, and jazz. She is also a member of The Lithuanian Empire, a funky klezmer band. Both bands are working on new albums slated to be released this month.

Having already accomplished more than 35 performances, Wolf is thriving through her passion. Her next performance will take place with the Sisters of Sheynville Mar. 1 at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. Her music often releases tender emotions from someone, whether or not you understand Yiddish. This demonstrates the raw feelings put into the performances.

Just as different music triggers diverse emotions, so does the venue. “I like venues where people come to listen to music, like the Rex,” said Wolf. “I like people who come to party or dance. I want to play for people who are interested in hearing [me], not as background music.” Wolf has played at a number of venues across North America, including the Toronto Jazz Festival and the Lincoln Center in New York City. 

Many young people aspire to become well-known and well-liked musicians, but this is a difficult task to take on. Wolf shares the following advice for those considering pursuing a career in music: “Listen to as much music as you can. Set up good practice schedules.  If you want to be professional, study it and get the right teachers.

“Stay away from people who put you down and [from] drugs and alcohol. Act the way people expect you to be. Stay away from bad influences.” 

Wolf is also a certified teacher in Ontario and works with Learning Through the Arts, an organization that promotes arts-based education in the classroom. The program is incorporated within certain schools through commonly learned subjects such as history, math and science. Wolf has found that teaching has had a positive impact on herself both as a person and as a musician. “Learning how kids learn helps me understand myself,” she said. “I know it only as well as I can teach it. Kids always ask the best questions.”

Wolf has had a number of experiences within music education, and has studied at Humber College, the University of Toronto, and York University, as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music. 

Wolf is an artist that continues to grow in her music and her teaching lessons. “I expect myself to keep growing in the future in quality. Hopefully my skills are strong enough for all situations.”

Fans can expect more music from this budding artist, a unique example of what you can do if you put yourself where you want to be. 

For more on Lorie Wolf visit www.loriewolf.com

Melissa Doyle is a Grade 12 student at St. Basil-the-Great College School.