Hello readers! My name is Chris Tanaka-Mann and I will be your new Editor! I’d like for you to know me a little better, but first I want to say that I intend to make this transition as smooth as possible and will keep alterations to a minimum from issue to issue, if there are any. Michael Black has done a terrific job as interim editor and I see no reason why I shouldn’t just pick up where he left off! I look forward to getting to know more of you in this new role and hope that I represent your interests well in the Trillium.
I am a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with double Honours in English and Contemporary Studies and a minor in Philosophy, and also received a bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. What this all means is that I studied a lot of reading and writing styles in English, a lot of political and socioeconomic sciences, and a lot of pedagogy. Now I teach by day and sing by night. Pertaining to my position with the Trillium, I think it’s worth noting that for a time I considered a career in journalism, and even studied it for a year. I came to recognize that the career wasn’t for me, but I retained the skills for writing that I believe will make me an effective Editor.
I became a barbershopper in 2013 when Dennis Wright and I met at a Laurier student choir he was directing. He saw my enthusiasm for singing and drove me from Brantford to the Simcoe Gentlemen of Harmony’s rehearsals during my final few months of undergraduate studies. I immediately took to the tag singing, the polecats, the fun and relaxed hangs (short for hangouts, a colloquialism meaning “time spent in good company, recreationally”), and ringing chords. Moving home to Toronto following my graduation, I knew I would have to say goodbye to Simcoe, and they told me to go try out for the Toronto Northern Lights. Well, it was an exciting year (2013) and I auditioned in June, so I was very proud to be a member of TNL in their winning year. I auditioned on the entire contest set so I feel like I won despite not being on stage! I have since enjoyed every moment singing with them and continue to grow and learn.
Some of you know me as tenor of the Yonge Guns, and it was later that same Summer that Greg Mallett asked if I was interested in having a go at a quartet he was organizing. That is a story for another time, but suffice to say that within a year I was in deep. The barbershop community felt like home and all I wanted to do was find more ways to be a part of this wonderful community. I sang with OYA, I attended workshops, I stepped up as section leader of the baritones for TNL, I sought out volunteering opportunities, and I tried to contribute as VP of Chapter Support and Leadership Training, but I found that it wasn’t for me. Thanks to Roger Wilson for stepping in! I believe that editing the Trillium will fit my skill set and my schedule better. With that said, you’re stuck with me until I get kicked out! I intend to be around for a long time and I intend to be good at this. So let’s keep Ontario reading!
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions for articles, contributions, or would simply like to get to know me better, you can reach me at trillium@ontariosings.com.