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Sierra Bacquie - Sierra Bacquie

Sierra Bacquie is a Toronto-based writer, editor, songwriter and musician.

Writing and Editing

During Sierra’s four-year stint as a speechwriter and senior writer for the Ontario government, her singular writing on women’s issues garnered four Communicators’ FORUM awards – and praise from cabinet ministers and colleagues on all points along the political spectrum.

As a freelance journalist over the past dozen years, Sierra has written feature articles, reviews and profiles for various print and Web-based publications, including:

• “Women of Influence” cover story featuring interviews with Auditor-General Sheila Fraser and five of Canada's top women CAs (CA Magazine)
• “Where Are They Now?” cover story tracking down the Great Canadian Musical Acts of the 1980s (Onset)
• Feature article on weddings and body image (WeddingBells)
• “This Is What a Documentary Looks Like,” feature article on the future of the documentary, including coverage of the Hot Docs Festival (rabble.ca)
• Review of environmental milestone Our Stolen Future (Equinox)
• Review of megamusical Rent (Word).

Sierra has served as Ideas Editor and Acting Editor-in-Chief for rabble.ca; editor of several issues of the “Great Canadian Weddings” feature for WeddingBells and editor of the Link newsletter for communications professionals. She has also written on social-justice issues for Section15.ca.

Music

Sierra has nurtured a parallel career in music – beginning as a sometimes-touring keyboard player with numerous pop and world-music artists, and emerging as a singer/songwriter possessed of a rich, distinctive singing voice.

Sierra recorded her take on Bruce Cockburn's "Lord of the Starfields" for the Kick at the Darkness tribute CD (best known for the Barenaked Ladies’ star-making cover of “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.”) She has also:

• Produced and hosted a monthly songwriters’ showcase of established and up-and-coming talent
• Produced “All About the Music,” a weekend songwriting workshop led by an acclaimed LA-based coach
• Performed at showcase events including the Songwriters' Association of Canada’s “Bluebird North,” where she shared the stage with Alannah Myles, and others.

In 2003, Sierra recorded Ready to Learn, a four-song EP of her original tunes produced by Mark Gane (Martha & the Muffins/M+M), and featuring A-list side-players Kevin Breit (guitar) and Dave Piltch (bass). After a lengthy hiatus, Sierra recently returned to live performing. She has several musical projects in the works – a few of which she hopes will see the light of day within the year.

Broadcast Journalism

In 2006, Sierra completed an intensive program in broadcast journalism at Seneca College, where she developed her skills as a videographer, digital video editor and on-air performer. (She also has an English degree from the University of Toronto, and spent two years in the renowned Humber College jazz program.)