It is with great sadness that we have recently learned of the passing of CAMMAC member, Natalie Benoît. We’d like to extend our sincerest condolences to Natalie’s family and friends.
NATALIE BENOÎT
1975-2021
A shining presence at CAMMAC for the past dozen years, Natalie Benoit was a passionate, curious and ambitious musician who continued to explore her talent in parallel with her career as a social worker, unit department head and, more recently, as judge. An active and enthusiastic participant especially in weeks 6 and 7 and at the Thanksgiving Weekend, “Nat Ben” touched many people with her vivacious personality, her smile, her generosity and her sense of humour.
She first came to CAMMAC to perfect herself on violin and in chamber music, where she was thrilled to play under the direction of teachers such as Gisèle Dalbec, Chloé Dominguez, Béatrice Cadrin and Marc Djokic. But far be it from Natalie to just stick to her preferred instrument! Many will remember her lively participation in Elissa Bernstein’s Broadway classes and in the musical theatre masterclasses with Chris Barillaro, Jenny Rizzo and Chad Linsley, where she sang excerpts from Starmania and Belles Sœurs with integrity and finesse. In fact, her musical curiosity and her thirst for new challenges seemed to know no bounds: during the pandemic, she took up the cello!
And what a sense of humour not to mention the love of a good party! Whether it was participating in a crazy cabaret number, “translating” songs for them, dressing up and taking on roles for the children’s concerts, Natalie was always ready to say “yes” to the craziest suggestions. She never missed a party, whether it was planned or improvised and it came as no surprise that she made many friends among her fellow participants all of ages as well as with the teachers.
She leaves a void in many people’s lives in all the spheres of her life. May music and love carry her for all eternity.
– Patricia Abbott & Vincent Lauzer
Some favourite memories of Natalie:
