Talent is Ageless

Coloratura soprano Alejandra Nunez performs at COSAP’s 2002 Seniors' Jubilee.

The Canadian Organization of Senior Artists and Performers (COSAP) is transforming the lives of Ontario’s older adult population through performing arts.

Growing out of the Seniors’ Jubilee, a senior talent show started in 1989, the organization now spearheads community performances across the province, called Jubilations, as well as workshops and classes.

The Jubilee itself has grown from a modest, two-day event into the largest seniors’ entertainment showcase in North America, presenting 1,300 performers over five days. Performances range from the enthusiastic and entertaining jazz of violinist Ed Vokurka of Toronto, who took his first violin lesson at the age of seven, to the inspiring and joyful voice of gospel singer Ada Lee from Peterborough.

Audiences and artists alike reap rich rewards from the Jubilee. The Toronto Star raves that “talent is ageless” and finds “no need to label these performances ‘senior’ anything.” Performer Lorne Greenwood explains what the Jubilee experience means to him: “As long as you are preparing for a future [Jubilee], you will continue to live lively in body and spirit.”

A capacity audience enjoys the Seniors' Jubilee curtain call in the prestigious Roy Thomson Hall.

With inaugural support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation of $249,000 over three years, COSAP will meet seniors’ growing demand for training and performance opportunities. Jubilations are now expanding to northern, eastern and south central Ontario. Sarnia and Sudbury shows will debut this fall. Further, performing arts professionals are conducting workshops across the province in a wide variety of fields including dance, singing and comedy. Says artistic director Wayne Burnett: “We are truly grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for recognizing the importance of the work COSAP does with, and for seniors, and for providing the support that is enabling us to achieve our goals.”

COSAP helps people not only to realize their artistic potential, but to inspire their communities with their enthusiasm and vitality. As Burnett sees it, “As much as we encourage and applaud talent, courage and hope are fundamental to the mission of COSAP.”

To find out more about the Seniors’ Jubilee or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.cosap.ca