Accompanying a Friend
Supporting Dorothea has been one of the great joys and constants in my life. Dorothea Belanger is, without question, the most fabulous friend one could ever hope for. Through life’s peaks and valleys, she has always been there. Time and distance don’t matter — whenever we reconnect, it’s as if no time has passed.
Her husband, also named Mark, has long been part of the joke: he’s Mark 1.0, and I’m Mark 1.1 (formerly 1.5, but Dorothea generously bumped my version up recently).
While supporting Dorothea over the years has taken many forms, one of the most memorable came through music. I recently stumbled upon an old cassette — a dusty little time capsule from 1982 — and digitized it. It was a recording of Dorothea performing on flute for Kenora’s Centennial celebration.
She played with brilliance and precision — Dorothea never did anything halfway. Supporting Dorothea during that performance meant sitting beside her at the piano, providing the accompaniment. We rehearsed endlessly. She was a taskmaster, driven by excellence, allergic to mediocrity. That relentless pursuit of artistry is one of the reasons I came to admire her so deeply, even as a young person.
This isn’t a pop hit or easy listening. Be warned: the piece is seven minutes of classical intensity — not Bon Jovi. But if you want to understand what supporting Dorothea sounds like, what dedication and collaboration can produce, then give it a listen.
Supporting Dorothea isn’t just about friendship — it’s about honoring excellence, celebrating history, and holding tight to the people who shape our lives in beautiful, resonant ways.
Song: Hue Fantasie
Composed By: Georges Hue
Performed By: Dorothea Belanger
Accompanied By: Mark Winkler
Date Recorded: 1982
Fast Forward
Thirty-three years later Dorothea and I tried our hands at it one more time. We weren’t as polished as in 1982, but much more content and at peace with ourselves … a trade-off that I am fine with.
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