After dedicating two years to the project, a piano instructor in the small town of Chapleau, located in northern Ontario, has successfully brought the iconic music of Queen to life in collaboration with her students. Kassandra-Anne Demers initiated the creation of a medley featuring some of Queen’s most renowned hits, such as “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “We Will Rock You,” starting in early 2023. As the owner of the Chapleau Piano Academy, Demers tailored specific segments of the medley to suit the varying skill levels of her students.
Describing the process as akin to assembling a musical puzzle, Demers explained how each student recorded their individual parts, allowing her to later piece together the entire arrangement. Prior to composing these sections, she immersed herself in Queen’s music, frequently listening to their songs at slower speeds to capture every intricate detail. Demers instructs a diverse group of students, some attending in-person lessons while others participate remotely from locations as distant as Texas.
After compiling and editing all the recorded segments, she seamlessly merged them into a cohesive medley. Demers emphasized that the project aimed to engage her students in learning music and foster a sense of community among aspiring artists. Reflecting on her own upbringing in Chapleau, she expressed a desire to create a supportive environment for young talents, emphasizing the importance of using the arts as a unifying force.