Thank You from Windwood

Written By Maitreyi Muralidharan

Two weeks after the end of another festival season…

 

We are all back in our respective homes. And just like last year, it feels different.
But just like last year,
We have a lot of thanks to give.

Thank you to our residents.
You are the heart and soul of Windwood, the reason that we come back every year.
Windwood was born out of Tong and my vision, but the thing about visions is that others need to believe in them for them to amount to anything. Our residents didn’t just carry our visions, they embodied them and shared them with everyone they met. Through their music, their words, their actions, they connected with Airdrie and offered connection to all the paths they crossed.
Now they are back in their homes, and they are still connecting.
It’s more that we even knew to ask for.

Thank you to our audiences. 
We saw some old friends in the audiences, met some new friends. We talked to people from Airdrie, Calgary, Cochran, near and far. It was truly such a pleasure to meet you, thank you for saying hello.
Keep in touch as you are able, if something makes you think of us, we want to know! We’re always more interested to hear from you than you think :)

Thank you to our collaborators. 
You were SO much fun to work with and you brought so much to all the events! We are so excited for all the incredible creative energy that next year’s festival is going to bring, and we know that you’ll be with us every step of the way!

Thank you to Alex, Jana, and Annie, our beloved sound and admin team.
You are such a monumental part of the way Windwood is experienced, and the fact that people were so moved and excited to connect with us is a testament to you.

Thank you to our supporters and sponsors. 
You are always so generous with your time, energy, and space, and the community that we are growing in Airdrie is largely thanks to you.

And of course.
Thank you to Mom and Dad Wang, and Mom and Dad Muralidharan. 
This wouldn't be here without you. 

Thank you is such a beautiful phrase; once you start thanking, you find that there is more to thank. Luckily for us all, there are as many ways to show thanks as there are beings to thank. Windwood is one of the ways we say thank you, and every year, we find new ways to keep sharing that gratitude.

In fact, we are so thankful, that Tong and I have already started planning our trip back to Airdrie early next year to say hello and play some concerts! Between that and all the exciting ideas that we already have for Windwood 2024, the good news is just going to keep coming, so keep following us on our platforms and we will keep you in the loop with all of that good stuff!

Lastly, a more personal thank you.
What we do isn’t always easy, in fact, it can be very draining and sometimes more than a little disillusioning. But then I see it come together, watch from the back of a crowd with my camera, say hi to people who are no longer strangers, watch a little kid dance, see the look on someone’s face when they are so moved that they can’t hold it in, and then I know. I see the faces of our residents when they share inside jokes in a passage of music, I see Tong’s face, and I know what we are both thinking. We are so glad we are here with you.

 

Thank you for living this extraordinary tale of ordinary magic with us.

With love,
Maitreyi and Tong

Listen and watch the 2023 concerts here!

Maitreyi Muralidharan

Critically recognized as “an accomplished violin soloist,” (CVNC) Maitreyi Muralidharan is an east coast based musician and an avid orchestral and chamber performer. They hold a Bachelor's Degree from the Peabody Institute of Music under the tutelage of Herbert Greenberg, a Master’s Degree and Professional Arts Certificate from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Kevin Lawrence, and an Artist Diploma from McGill University under the tutelage of Violaine Melancon. Maitreyi was raised in North Carolina where they fostered a love for sharing music in group settings, whether in ensembles or as a teacher. They have also served as concertmaster of the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Chamber Orchestra, UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of the UNCSA Chrysalis Chamber Music Institute for two years. They have attended summer music festivals in Colorado, New York, Canada, North Carolina, Vermont, and Germany, and have performed as a chamber musician on international stages. As a musician who has dealt with severe injury, Maitreyi has had to find their own paths in the field of classical and contemporary music, and in that process, has grown a deep appreciation and love for connecting with the unconventional. They aim to share this idea of connection with all walks of life—the idea that being a musician is far more than what is understood or seen, and that one of the greatest joys is fostering a sense of community that can happen any time music is made. Outside of being an orchestral and chamber musician, Maitreyi enjoys working with and advising new music ensembles, assisting violinists with injuries to find creative and sustainable playing practices, and farming.

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