The Sound Within
a musical celebration of overcoming
hearing loss and staying true to you.
Live Performance
Part of the Listen Up! initiative, The Sound Within concert celebrates staying true to yourself in the face of challenges.
Pianist Michèle Wilmot shares her journey with hearing loss, exploring how it shaped her music and inspired her groundbreaking research into how musicians hear, perform, and collaborate.
This dynamic concert blends solo and ensemble performances, storytelling, and innovative sound experiments, revealing the resilience, creativity, and joy that come from embracing your unique self.
Discover how Michèle continues to navigate life as a Hard of Hearing pianist, staying true to her art, and inspiring audiences.
Included is a glimpse of the Hearing Hacks workshop, where her research meets practical solutions.
Produced by Unwrap, The Sound Within is presented in partnership with Listen Up! and The Registry Theatre.
Date: Saturday April 25, 2026
Venue: The Registry Theatre
(122 Frederick St, Kitchener)
Start Time: 3:00pm (1hr runtime)
Admission: $28
Are you a musician with hearing loss? Or one who collaborates with a Hard-of-Hearing musician?
Join us for a special Listen Up! workshop – Hearing Hacks
Musicians, collaborators, teachers, and curious community members are invited to Hearing Hacks, where Michèle and a professional sound engineer explore practical solutions for performing and collaborating with hearing differences.
Participants will learn about:
– Microphones, monitors, & speaker placement
– In-ear monitor (IEM) setups
– Real musical contexts from rehearsal to ensemble to audience
Join us on April 24th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener where we will build community, share experience, and discover affordable tools that make music accessible without sacrificing artistry or identity.
Sign up free of charge via the link below:
Photograph by Conan Stark, @starkconan / www.conanstark.com
How hearing loss shaped the music:
Michèle Wilmot shares her story behind The Sound Within for The Music Times
MEET THE ARTISTS
Michèle Wilmot (she/her) (BSc.hon, A.R.C.T, L.B.C.M.hon)
Michèle Wilmot was born in St. Bruno, Quebec. Michèle is most dedicated to piano performance, performing across North America in British Columbia, Ontario and in New York City for the Beethoven Sonata marathon in celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Michèle has studied with Gertrude Lavoie, Carol Ditner-Wilson, Boyd McDonald and currently with Koichi Inoue. Most recently Michèle’s piano and organ solo music has been featured in three of Stephen W. Young’s local films of Dickson and Bruce: History meets Mystery.
A large part of her recent year has been spent recording and researching for Hard of Hearing musicians and music enthusiasts; an initiative she calls ListenUp! Alongside her solo and collaborative concert work, she enjoys curating concerts, giving to the community, supporting many organizations, and accompanying upcoming solo artists. For her work as a concert curator and pianist, she was nominated for a Denny Award at the KW Arts Awards.
Alten Wilmot (he/they)
Alten Wilmot is a playwright, performer, producer, and multidisciplinary artist. Founder and Artistic & Executive Director of Unwrap Theatre, they have produced over 50 original works and have developed programs, productions, and mentorship opportunities for over 200 artists. They are passionate about working directly with audiences from vast demographics, including seniors, young people, and underrepresented groups. They value meaningful community connections, virtuosity, comedy, stirring creativity, and finding meaning in the unresolved.
Alten has worked across the country. They have been recognized with awards from Buddies in Bad Times, ArtworxTO, and the Waterloo Region Arts Awards, and have worked in residency with institutions like the National Ballet of Canada, Obsidian Theatre, and MT Space. Their work has been presented by companies like the CBC, Harbourfront Centre, Guelph Dance, and more.
Stay tuned for the announcement of an exciting lineup of featured artists!
Listen Up! and Unwrap gratefully acknowledge the support of the Region of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, Wilmot Technologies Inc., Canada Council for the Arts, and Government of Canada towards realizing The Sound Within.
Many thanks to those who make our work possible.
Be a part of the future of the arts in the Waterloo Region and