As we celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2025, we’re excited to reflect on the vibrant stories and community members who have helped shape Under the Spire’s story. Our Community Spotlight Series will feature a diverse group of supporters, sharing their personal connections, experiences, and favorite memories with us across 10 interviews. Through their testimonials, we’ll explore why Under the Spire holds a special place in their lives and in our community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to this celebration by sharing their reflections with us!
Community Spotlight Series
Interview with Alyssa Ford
1. How did you come to know about UTS, and how did you begin volunteering with the organization?
Alyssa explained that being from rural PEI, one of the things that you do during your free time is drive around and listen to music. She was out driving one day and took a wrong turn that lead her to a road sign for Historic St. Mary’s. She enjoys architecture and was intrigued, so she decided to make the drive to Historic St. Mary’s to find out what it was. She found HSM and was in awe of the architecture, the 12 apostles on the Steeple – she knew that this was going to be her happy place and a new driving destination for her. She soon found herself there for off-season picnics on the front lawn with friends, sometimes even bringing a guitar. At the time, Alyssa wasn’t aware that HSM housed a summer concert series.
One day, during a lawn picnic, a UTS employee came over to Alyssa and gave her a season pamphlet, inviting her to explore the season and also letting her know about job and volunteer opportunities with UTS. Alyssa knew that she wanted to learn more and volunteer at this place that’s already made her so happy.
2. Before volunteering with UTS, did you have any previous experience in the arts community?
Alyssa said that volunteering at UTS in the arts was a new type of environment for her. Although she’s been a music fan for her whole life, she’s not a musician herself and was not overly familiar with this side of a performance environment. She always viewed music and the performing arts in general as an incredible storytelling tool – and this appreciation has only grown since volunteering at UTS. Through her volunteer shifts, she was able to discover new genres that she may not otherwise find herself listening to.
3. What does Under the Spire mean to you? How has volunteering shaped this?
Before she started volunteering with the concert series, Alyssa’s perception of HSM was purely as a beautiful historic building that she was able to enjoy herself. She often stopped in to see the building and enjoy its beautiful architecture in an experience that was very internal and personal. As a volunteer with one season already under her belt, Alyssa now views UTS as a place of inclusion, community and diversity. She described UTS as a beautiful space to experience the arts where all people are welcome regardless of what demographics or backgrounds they come from. She described events such as Mass for Shut-Outs and the annual Pride Celidh as being very meaningful and moving to see such a diverse community come together under one roof.
4. How has your time at UTS influenced your views on the importance of arts and culture?
Alyssa shared that she didn’t realize the amount of interest that this rural music venue had within the community. She adds that she became accustomed to seeing regular patrons returning to UTS for show after show because they enjoyed the music and atmosphere of the space. Alyssa also highlighted the importance of the concert series in highlighting different cultures and genres that you may not be exposed to on a daily basis. Being a regular attendee of these events can help you to learn more about various cultures we have here on PEI, and from abroad as well.
5. Can you share some special memories that you have from your time at UTS?
Alyssa shared a number of special memories, starting with some of the most moving concerts she attended this summer. The opening concert, and Alyssa’s first volunteer shift, was the Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus. Seeing a powerful pride-based event that delivered moving music was unforgettable. She also shared a concert that she surprisingly enjoyed – classical pianist Philip Chiu. This concert was a first for Alyssa in terms of exposure to classical music, but she shares that she was moved by the beauty of the piece and how his program fit with our 29th season theme. She also had to mention the amazing performance put on by Newfoundland folk band Rum Ragged – which goes to show that the diversity of UTS’ season offerings means that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
A special experience that Alyssa remembers fondly was during her first volunteer shift during the Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus event. While working the cash station in the pavilion, a patron entered and passed out small business cards to all of the staff and volunteers who were present. The cards read ‘Thank you. Who you are and what you do are greatly appreciated.’ Alyssa shared that this appreciative gesture from a community member set the tone for the rest of her summer at UTS – and she still keeps the card on the back of her volunteer nametag!
6. Drawing from your own experiences, do you believe that people should take interest in supporting live music and music initiatives within their communities?
In short, yes. Alyssa shared how important music is to building community, and how it can serve to connect people and enhance the communities around them. She explained how live music can be a great tourism incentive, especially in smaller communities. The arts are a wonderful storytelling tool, especially in PEI where there are so many stories to share with new audiences. Live music also serves as a learning tool to learn about our own communities and culture – delivering this information through the arts lets the storytelling happen in a fun way.
7. As somebody who was unfamiliar with the classical side of music, how do you feel about your introduction to this genre of music while volunteering at UTS?
Even being a music enjoyer, Alyssa shared that classical music was something that she had never felt any incentive to branch out into. When she signed up to work her first volunteer shift during a classical concert, she shared that she held some stereotypes about classical music: that she expected the audience to consist of mostly an older demographic, or that the music would be boring without lyrics – but she was quickly proven wrong. Alyssa shared her discovery of how beautiful and emotionally moving classical music can be. She said that seeing the passion of the performer on stage was compelling, and it seemed as if this passion and emotion spread easily to the audience members as well. She recalls seeing the strong emotions of the audience around her – people who were tearing up, or who had a hand raised to their chest as they listened. She described the experience of listening to a string ensemble as being something almost therapeutic, where she could be fully immersed in the music. She stated “If you can go into a new type of music with an open mind and an open heart, you can come out with a lot more than you maybe imaged.”
Alyssa also revealed that she prefers this unique music setting to the experience of attending the average music festival outdoors. She said that the amazing acoustics of the space makes concerts feel personal, and that the space is so welcoming when you consider the diverse audiences that the concert series attracts over the summer.
8. What would you say to someone who has never been to a concert at UTS before, or who may feel a little bit nervous about exploring a new genre of music?
Alyssa shared “I would encourage people to go into any new kind of concert without biases or stereotypes, and just try to enjoy the show.” She also recommended looking around at the crowd to see how others are reacting to the music, it can be telling and moving itself. Just give a new experience a try – that’s powerful in itself!
She also wants patrons to know that the staff and volunteers are there to support you in your experiences at UTS. “If it’s your first time to a concert at UTS, come up to a volunteer or staff member and let us know! We’ll make sure it’s a great experience for you, and do everything we can to make it a welcoming experience for you.”