NAME: Paul Casey
OCCUPATION: VIOLIST! (Viola: like a violin but bigger and better) Hmm… Well, TECHNICALLY I’m still a student. I’m finishing my coursework for a DMus in music performance at McGill (concerts and thesis are still to come…) However, I spend most of my time in Ottawa where I play fairly regularly with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. In my spare time I teach violin and viola to little kiddies and a few adults, and am the Executive Director of the Leading Note Foundation’s new Cultures in Concert chamber music series! I am also the full-time lovah of Karen 🙂
WHERE YOU HEADING: For one of our last bike rides of the year in the Gatineau Hills 🙁 I love the colours and rugged landscape after all the leaves have fallen.
WHAT ARE YOU RIDING: I am currently riding my dad’s Norco Citadel. My brother Dave, who was photographed by VeloVogue last Fall, accidentally brought my bike (yes we have matching bikes) to his photo shoot and tossed it around a few too many times… It’s still in recovery.
WHY DO YOU RIDE: I ride because I love catching bugs in my eyes. Just kidding, but seriously, for the size of my eyes I find it amazing how many little bugs end up in there! Now, to answer the question seriously, I love the speed, the wind on my face, and to see how far I can bike without my hands. I also really enjoy winter biking ON the Rideau Canal (the sides are perfectly alright to bike on!) I’m not sure which came first, my love for biking or my large “hunter-gatherer” legs.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT BIKING IN OTTAWA WHAT WOULD IT BE: Safer bike lanes – I often opt for the sidewalk when the road is really busy even if there is a painted line designating a bike lane (much to the chagrin of many irate and extremely vocal pedestrians). As a motorist, I’m always iffy about bikers on the road.
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING:
- Silly Toque: PomPom Boutique
- Shirt: Fred Perry
- Blarf (blanket scarf): Ikea
- Knitted cardigan with awesome toggles: Simons
- Yellow trousers: H&M, obviously not in Ottawa…
- Stripey Wool Socks: My dad’s closet
- Brogue Boots: Aldo
- Red Shoelaces: NRML
- Viola Case: Bam Hightec Contour
- Cologne: Hugo Boss, Orange
FAVOURITE SPOTS TO BIKE: I love taking in the views along the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River. We’re so lucky in Ottawa to have an abundance of both the arts and nature!
FAVOURITE PLACE TO STOP AFTER A RIDE: I’ve been known to stop by the Mill St. Brew Pub after a bike ride. There’s nothing that quenches that mid/post-bike ride thirst like a fresh pint! Sometimes my inner home-body gets the best of me and I skip the Pub and head for my patio where my fridge is loaded with Keith’s Cider and Hockley Dark Ale.
NAME: Karen Kang
OCCUPATION: A Cellist! I did my BM and MM in Boston and Chicago where I did a lot of performing, then moved to Hamburg, Germany where I toured with a piano trio. I finally moved to Ottawa last year and now the city is my new home away from home! I still perform as a soloist and a chamber musician, but I mostly teach. I’m a cello and chamber music teacher at The Leading Note Foundation’s Orkidstra Program, Artistic Director of The Leading Note Foundation’s Cultures in Concert Chamber Series, and a cello faculty at the National Capitol Suzuki School of Music. Oh my gosh, I basically wrote a short bio didn’t I? Oops. La di da…
WHERE YOU HEADING: Just going for a nice bike ride in the Gatineau hills before FALL IS OVER!
WHAT ARE YOU RIDING: A Turquoise Townie 🙂 It’s actually Paul’s mom’s bike! She doesn’t ride much now, so I’ve been “borrowing” since I moved to Ottawa.
WHY DO YOU RIDE: It’s a good workout that doesn’t feel like a workout! I like power walking, but when it gets too hot out or when I feel lazy I just hop on the bike. Also, I can’t drive… so this takes me everywhere fast! OH and I I love the wind in my hair 🙂
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT BIKING IN OTTAWA WHAT WOULD IT BE: BIGGER and MORE cycling lanes!! I’m always so scared to ride right next to cars! So aggressive… Basically, we need bike lanes like Copenhagen! Bikes before Cars 😉
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING:
- Shirt: Paul’s gingham shirt from French Connection that I basically stole..
- Blazer: H&M
- Tights: Urban Outfitters
- Scarf: Faux fur scarf from H& M, and an autumnal woven scarf from a boutique in Paris. I carry this around with me EVERYWHERE just incase I need extra warmth.
- Earrings: Matte gold hoop earrings from Anthropologie.
- Gloves: Grey-blue suede from Anthropologie.
- Boots: Little Burgundy
- Bag: Wool bag from Anthropologie.
- Cello Case: Accord Case! The lightest case for musical instruments 🙂
- Perfume: Jo Malone- White Jasmin & Mint
FAVOURITE SPOTS TO BIKE: Love biking along the canal. We usually start from the Glebe, and bike along the canal to the parliament buildings. We cross the Portage bridge and bike pass the Museum of Civilization, and then back over to Ottawa over the Alexandra bridge.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO STOP AFTER A RIDE: Alexandra bridge, Major’s hill park.
