Bio

Sandra Mogensen did her early musical studies with her mother, Edite Mogensen, in Sarnia, Ontario. Sandra's further training as a pianist has taken her to study with Damjana Bratuz at the University of Western Ontario, the Orff-Instiut Abteilung of the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen where she studied with Friedrich Gürtler, and to Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ where she received the Master’s of Music in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying, studying with J.J.Penna and Dalton Baldwin.

Sandra's Bio - Dansk
Bio Dansk
In 2000, Sandra collaborated with Germany-based Canadian bass, Paul Sketris on a recording of Schubert’s great song cycle, Winterreise. The two artists have been friends since childhood, when their first musical collaborations included playing piano duets, singing the Latvian folk songs of their common heritage, and playing in the same high school jazz band. The Winterreise recording was produced by Anton Kwiatkowski and was recorded at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.

Sandra returned to the Glenn Gould Studio to record her first solo album in December 2006 for a 2007 release in conjunction with the Edvard Grieg centenary. SANDRA MOGENSEN: Piano Music of Edvard Grieg, produced by Earl McCluskie was warmly received and praised. A second disc of Grieg’s piano music (SANDRA MOGENSEN: Piano Music of Edvard Grieg Volume 2) followed in 2009, again produced by Earl McCluskie. With the most recent 2012 release of SANDRA MOGENSEN: Piano Music of Edvard Grieg Volume 3, Sandra has completed a trilogy of uniquely programmed discs honouring the great Norwegian composer.

Sandra’s fascination with Grieg began early in life and has its roots in Sandra’s northern European heritage. With a Danish father and Latvian mother, her affinity for the Scandinavian and Baltic cultures was kindled at a young age. Sandra’s love for Grieg’s music has taken her to Grieg conferences in Florida and Copenhagen. A memorable performance experience took place in 2010 when Sandra performed at the “Troldsalen” recital hall at Troldhaugen, Grieg’s villa in Bergen, Norway.

For eight years Sandra Mogensen held the position of Faculty Pianist at the annual National Music Camp of Canada at Lake Couchiching and was a founding member of the National Piano Trio, ensemble-in-residence at NMC. A versatile musician, Sandra has extensive experience with chamber music, musical theatre and choral repertoire, as well as music in liturgy. Well-versed in several languages, Ms. Mogensen is well known for her language and diction coaching. Ms. Mogensen has had an extensive teaching career and enjoys mentoring musicians in their processes of self-discovery and artistic development.

From 2001-2012, Sandra was based in beautiful and culturally rich Stratford, Ontario, Canada. After a self-funded 'sabbatical' year in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sandra is now based in Toronto, Canada. For updates, please go to the blog page.