Raisa Orshansky commenced her formal musical training at Vitebsk College of Music, where she specialized in folk instruments. She went on to graduate studies at Minsk Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, where she studied orchestra conducting.
Since moving to Canada, Orshansky has dedicated herself exclusively to music: performing on tsymbaly within Original Impressions DUO, composing, teaching music to children, and conducting.
In 2012 Orshansky published her first book of children’s poetry. Titled “Pesenka-Chudesenka” (Miracle Song) it is a compilation of whimsical short poems written for Russian-speaking preschoolers.
Working as a youth klezmer band conductor, Orshansky arranged Jewish folk songs for the band’s repertoire. Her band took an active part in various musical venues within Greater Toronto Area such as at the Many Faces of Markham, Israel and Yiddish Festivals.
Orshansky is a member of SOCAN Canada. She has recorded and produced two albums: Original Impression, encapsulating her ten compositions and a single with Midnight in Toronto.
In February 2019 Orshansky travelled to the Czech Republic to record her symphonic poem Spring Fantasy with Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra.
Orshansky’s “Sunrise Samba” for Concert Band was selected by the Royal Canadian Artillery Band as a part of its Spring Concert repertoire.
Albums
Prisma Vol. 3
Catalog Number: NV6271
