Showing off my Everki Atlas Backpack

I began my search for the ultimate laptop backpack in 2020 that could double up as a minimalist travel bag. At the time, my shortlist contained the Tortuga Setout Divide, the Nomatic Travel Pack, and the Everki Atlas. When it was time to choose, there could only be one.

Only the Everki Atlas could hold my 17” laptop, so it was a no brainer.

However, after three years of use, I can safely say that I am so glad that I wound up with it. The Atlas’ sturdy construction has withstood the test of time. The pouches and zippers were well thought out. And at $169.99 USD, it’s a pretty good deal.

Check out my video review here:

Student Article Review: Liveabout's Beginner's Guide to Music History

My student M is back with another review:

Student Review of A Beginner’s Guide to Music History

The website is called A Beginner’s Guide to Music History, written by Espie Estrella. She is a lyricist, songwriter, and member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

The article included a paragraph of The origin of history and music and the different music time periods. I liked how simple it was to read and how easy it was to understand, even though there were a couple of advanced terms.

I also liked how they didn't use 3-4 paragraphs to explain the time periods. There wasn't anything I specifically did not like, just some improvements I think should be made, like adding a bit more information.

It was pretty easy to navigate and find what you wanted because the article is pretty short and it was arranged where the older periods are at the top and modern ones at the bottom. Another website I came across also used time periods, and they were in the same order. I would rate it a 5/5 for how easy it was to read, but a 4.5/5 overall.

Teacher’s First Impressions of A Beginner’s Guide to Music History

The article does give a good general overview of music history. There are just a couple of points that stuck out, that I should address.

Regarding the Baroque era, that is actually my first time reading that translation for “barocco". In music history class, we were taught that it meant “rough pearl.” Also, the modern double bass did not exist in the Baroque Period. Its predecessors, the violione and viol da gamba did.

It would have been beneficial for music students for hotlinks to be added for some of the terms, such as “cantus firmus”, “Ondes-Martnot” “monophonic” and “serialism”.

Student Website Review: CMUSE

My student M is back again with a website review of CMUSE’s History of Website page:

CMUSE: Brief History of Music Student Review

The name of the website is called Brief History of Music: An Introduction. The website is It is written by Dr. Justin Wildridge. He is a media composer and multi-instrumentalist based in the South-West of England where he works from his own studio.

The article includes some of how music started, the history of music, and a very descriptive introduction to all the important music time periods.

I liked how much information is included, and how it included a lot of information in a very short amount of words. It is a pretty great introduction to all the time periods and the basics of music history.

I didn't really like some of the words included in the article, because they are pretty complicated, and I needed to search them up.

I'd say that it is pretty easy to navigate in the article unless you only want to learn about a specific time period. It was organized in order from the older times periods to more modern time periods, so it makes sense. This one would be one of the pretty descriptive and informative types based on the websites I looked at, and it included everything other websites had and even more. I would rate it a solid 4.9 out of 5 because it did a great job of informing me, it's just that some of the language was confusing.

About CMUSE

CMUSE is a music and entertainment website which includes articles written by various industry contributors. The articles fall under the following categories:

• Classical

• Jazz

• Rock & Pop

• Music Tech

• Lists & Quizzes

• Inspirational

• Music Promotions

• Musician Interviews

• Feature articles

They cover a diverse range of music-related topics and makes for fun an educational exploration.

Please note that CMUSE is a participant of the Amazon Associates Program, meaning that they share affiliate links on their site.

Honens ProAm Piano Competition for Amateurs 2011 Review

This unique piano competition held Saturday, October 15, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta raised over $100,000 for the 2012 Honens International Piano Competition.

Four amateur pianists went head-to-head on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at Theatre Junction GRAND at this unique music competition. Nearly every seat was full when Daniel Yang, Andrew Hoffmanns, Colin Edie and David Dixon performed their solo recitals.

Amateur Musicians Perform for a Good Cause at Honens ProAm

The Honens ProAm Piano Competition is the brainchild of Calgary-based philanthropist Jenny Belzberg. This unique event is a fundraiser for the Honens International Piano Competition. The first year the ProAm was held was in 2008.

This music competition is open to recreational pianists who play at a high-calibre. In other words, all competitors must have careers outside of music. Each of these amateur musicians performed a 15-minute recital from memory.

In addition to their recital preparations, they strove to raise a minimum of $25,000 each. Prior to the event, they collected pledges from family, friends, employers, colleagues and music aficionados.

The competitors were judged by three music experts: Bob Clark, Charles Foreman and Mélanie Léonard. Clark is a performing arts writer for the Calgary Herald. Foreman, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary, has performed around the world as a solo pianist and chamber musician. Maestra Léonard is currently the resident conductor for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Honens International Piano Competition Searches for the "Complete Artist"

Out of the many prestigious piano competitions throughout the world, the Honens is unparalleled in two areas. First, competitors must perform solo and chamber recital programmes in addition to a movement of a piano concerto. Jurors are tasked with finding the “complete artist”.

Secondly, Honens Laureates participate in an extensive artistic and career development program. This is above and beyond the prize money they receive. Some of the benefits include assistance in booking engagements, recording CD's and developing press kits.

The Honens was the brainchild of the late Esther Honens. She was a Calgary-based philanthropist who endowed $5 million dollars in 1991 to launch an international piano competition in Calgary.

All proceeds from the Honens ProAm goes towards the Seventh Honens International Piano Competition. The next Honens will take place in Calgary from October 17 to 26, 2012.

ProAm Competition 2011 Contenders Deliver Four Exciting Performances

The 2011 ProAm got off to a colourful and romantic start with Daniel “Marathon Man” Yang's performance. Yang, sporting a purple tux, opened with Prelude in b-flat minor, op. 28, no. 4 by Polish composer Fréderic Chopin. He then delivered a sensitive interpretation of Edvard Grieg's Notturno. This was followed by another popular Chopin piece, Nocturne in E-flat Major, op. 9, no. 2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's “Rondo alla Turca” from his Sonata no. 11 in A Major, K. 331 rounded out the programme.

Yang is a Reservoir Specialist for Canadian Natural Resources and the CEO of Borealis Geopower. He holds a Ph.D. In Natural Sciences and studies with Calgary-based piano instructor Ann Davidson.

The second ProAm contender, Andrew “Dutchie” Hoffmanns, hails from the Netherlands. He moved to Calgary last year and works as a financial analyst for Shell Canada Limited. He studies piano with pianist, teacher and clinician Gabriella Jonas of Calgary.

Hoffmans performed two contrasting works which showcased his warm, rich tone. He began with Sergei Rachmaninov's Prelude in c-sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. He concluded his programme with selections from Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) by Robert Schumann.

Colin “Jock” Edie drew loud cheers when he strode confidently on stage in his light grey-blue tux and matching hat. That confidence rang through throughout his entire recital programme, in which he demonstrated a strong tone, good phrasing and balance.

He first performed “Allegro moderato” from Sonata in E-flat Major, No. 62 Hob. XVI52 by Franz Joseph Haydn. This was followed by La Cathédral engloutie by Claude Debussy. For his final work, Edie performed Chopin's Revolutionary Etude.

Edie works for Encana Corporation as a Petroleum Engineer. He has his Grade 10 certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music and studies with Allen Reiser, a Calgary-based piano teacher, writer, performer, adjudicator and clinician.

The evening drove towards a dramatic climax with David “Big Band” Dixon's performance. This jazz fan performed two challenging works: La Danse de Puck by Impressionist composer Claude Debussy and Frederic Chopin's Scherzo in E Major, op. 54, no. 4.

Dixon, a Reservoir Engineer at Nexen Inc., displayed a strong command of the piano. His technique was solid, while his phrasing and dynamics were well balanced. He elicited a standing ovation from the audience.

David recently earned his ARCT Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He studies with pianist, teacher, adjudicator and clinician Linda Kundert-Stoll in Calgary.

Honens ProAm Competition 2011 Declared a Resounding Success

The fundraising goal for this year's Honens ProAm was $100,000, which as exceeded. This year's Top Fundraiser Award went to Daniel Yang, who raised $43,000.

The audience was concurred with the event's jurors. David Dixon was declared the Audience Choice Prize winner and the 2011 Honens ProAm Champion. He won a gift certificate to the seafood restaurant Catch, the entire Honens CD library and a weekend residency at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts.

The 2011 Honens ProAm Competition for Amateurs was held at Theatre Junction GRAND on Saturday, October 15, 2011. With four dynamic performances delivered to nearly a full-house and the fundraising goal surpassed, this original fundraiser for the 2012 Honens International Piano Competition is a resounding success.

Originally published on Suite101.com on October 18, 2011. Updated May 13, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.