Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island.

This weeks featured local people profile is: Kiva Simova

Here's a bit about Kiva;

I'm a musician (vocals/ keys) and designer here since Oct '14. Mostly known as an expert in advanced overtone singing (2 pitches from 1 voice). Professional since the late 70's, in all kinds of bands, including a world tour doing backup vocals/ keys with Crash Test Dummies, '94. Some locals may recall me from folk trio The Wyrd Sisters, played ArtSpring in '01. I have 3 solo CDs (available at Saltspring Sound). It's jazzy pop/ experimental/ world beat. Have lived in Winnipeg, Edmonton (Grant McEwan jazz college), Toronto, Vancouver, Tokyo (fashion design college) and Prague, as well as a lot of world travel. My interests are music, composing, choir, design (clothing/ accessories), textiles, cooking, baking, and learning about felting, fabric embellishment and photography.

What brought you to Salt Spring Island?

I was brought up on a farm in Manitoba. The nearest town has roughly the same population as Saltspring. Since moving to the big city at age 17, I've always lived in large cities. So it was partly experimental to see how I would adapt in a smaller community again. I've always loved nature, so there's plenty of it here to explore. Sort of back to my roots. I moved here from Prague, having been there over 6 years. My Czech husband died suddenly last July. It changed my life completely. A local friend suggested I relocate here, partly because it was such a healing environment. I agree! Though there's a bit of culture shock, I love that there are so many highly creative people here with an adventurous spirit. Especially since I'm so outside the box. I am fond of DIY rustic abodes, and being surrounded by our own natural moat. And the mild climate.

What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?

I'm in the big metropolis of Ganges! (hamlet?) Be prepared to encounter a setting without traffic lights, Starbucks, McDonald's, or any type of chain store. Prepare yourself for local delicacies, self-sufficiency, health conscious living, and support for all things created here. Bring a good flashlight.

If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?

I'd replace the wooden signs for hitchhiking at the edge of Ganges and Fulford Harbour Road. They sort of disintegrated and disappeared. What a fantastic, civilized idea! And more job opportunities, especially for ages around 25- 35. Not just entrepreneurs. We need to encourage a broader demographic.

Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?

Bobby McFerrin, conducting one giant circle song. Every day.

Is there a special project, business or initiative you are working on that islanders should know about?

I want to re-establish my own overtone choir 'Auralia', in which I compose/ arrange all the material. The singers need special training. Having taught 24 years, I hold monthly intro 4 hour workshops on the last Saturday. Then, students may take private or group lessons (by vocal range) to prepare for membership in the choir. This is a very exciting opportunity for the first such choir here, with a contemporary bent. Or, to use these skills solo. I have already taught 3 clinics to the GISPA and GISS choir groups. I encourage these wonderful talents to continue the training with me. The choir is open to all ages. Also teach contemporary piano at Acoustic Planet, 127 Rainbow Road. House concerts anyone? Backup improv vocals, live and recorded?

I plan to introduce my one of a kind fashion/ accessory designs here. The emphasis is on designing around exquisite textile pieces with my own embellishments. As many locals know, some wear many hats! I teach sewing skills (brings out the Martha Stewart in me), and I'm open to encouraging children in creativity. For more info about my music and contact regarding workshops, all lessons, etc.:

Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?

What is your philosophy regarding musical education?

How would you have answered your question?

Musical education for young and older alike serves so many purposes. Even if one never pursues a career in music, it opens the brain to new levels of comprehension in so many other areas. Cognitive skills come to the forefront. Not to mention the healing qualities of one's own voice, that when brought to refined awareness, can serve a lifetime of well-being. And the sharing/ camaraderie with other musicians is such a joy, using a universal language. We are so lucky on SSI to have programs like GISPA, which further trains young people with great natural talents.