bio

Tara Stadnyk is a musician, writer, educator, and entrepreneur originally from the Saskatchewan prairies, now residing on Snuneymuxw territory.

Tara drums and sings in Cædmon’s Dream, a medieval doom duo resurrecting tales of ancient myth and lore. She holds a Masters degree in English (2018) and Bachelor of Arts Honours in English (2017) from the University of Saskatchewan, where she specialized in Medieval & Renaissance literature, feminism, and sexuality. 

Writing & Editing

Since completing her graduate studies in 2018, Tara has worked professionally as a writer, researcher, content producer, and educator. She offers private tutoring in English for university students, and writing/editing services for clients in her Nanaimo community. Tara has written various grant proposals and successfully received funding for her academic literary pursuits and music projects, and for clients in the arts & sciences. In 2022, Tara published her first poetry collection, The Cædmon Poems. From 2022-2023, she worked for Chicago-based women’s health company, Nyssa Care, where she interviewed medical experts and produced content focusing on the ‘unmentionables of womanhood.’ 

Music

Tara has worked professionally as a musician and performing artist since 2007. Notable music performances include Cædmon’s Dream England/France Tour (2022), Germany/France Tour (2023), Canada tourism events (Canada Nature Escapes & Waskesiu Wilderness Region), Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, and educational performances rooted in historical contexts for schools and universities (Dalhousie University, University of Saskatchewan).

Tara explores voice in its many capacities with her wide range, use of ancient languages, metal growls, improvisation, and influence from diverse musical genres. She is a devoted yogi, and finds many interwoven threads in her work with breath, sound, and yoga/meditation. Tara is a student of Roy Hart vocal technique and trained privately under the guidance of Lia Pas. In 2013/14 Tara was a vocal soloist in the University of Saskatchewan Jazz Ensemble and trained in the Jazz Studies program.

Tara’s current work with Cædmon’s Dream features music and poetry in medieval Latin, Old Norse, and other ancient languages.  In 2021, Cædmon’s Dream released single, “Völuspá” (“Prophecy of the Seeress”); this musical rendition of a 10th century Scandinavian poem tells the story of the creation of the world, its end, and rebirth through the voice of a seeress to Norse god Odin. In 2022, the duo released originals “Before Love” and “Midnight Mass”, as well as 12th century Latin composition, “O Ecclesia” by Saint Hildegard von Bingen.

Theatre

Tara acted in lead roles in the Saskatoon and Regina Fringe Festivals for New York music revue Joe’s Cafe by Rupert Wates (2011, 2012) and political satire The Generals Take our Defence Minister Shopping by Michael Murphy (2015). She studied Drama at the University of Saskatchewan, and in 2013 she completed a two-week intensive Theatre Studies course in London, UK where she expanded her knowledge of voice, movement, and technical aspects of theatre.

Business Ownership

Currently, Tara and her partner Dallas Kruszelnicki own and operate Wilson Pro Painting – Mid Vancouver Island. They employ career painters and manage interior, exterior, residential, and commercial painting projects from Greater Nanaimo, north to Qualicum and west to Tofino. 

Tara and Dallas reside on the rocky seashores of Vancouver Island with their German Shepherd, Kuiper.