Shauna DeGruchy is a musician, arts leader, and educator based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia. As a trombonist, her work spans contemporary chamber music, orchestral and wind ensemble performance, musical theatre, improvisation, interdisciplinary collaboration, recording projects, and the development of new artistic work.

Much of her artistic practice centres on collaboration. She is drawn to creative processes in which artistic ideas develop through rehearsal, dialogue, experimentation, and long-term working relationships. She frequently brings together performers, composers, presenters, educators, and community partners in projects that combine performance, creation, and artistic exchange.

Shauna is Co-Artistic Director and trombonist of Alkali Collective, an artist-led contemporary chamber ensemble based in Halifax. Since founding the ensemble in 2019, she has helped guide its growth from a small performing project into a nonprofit organization dedicated to commissioning, performing, and presenting contemporary Canadian music. Through this work, she collaborates closely with composers, develops artistic projects and partnerships, supports emerging artists, and helps create opportunities for audiences and communities to engage with new music.

Commissioning and the development of new work form a significant part of her practice. Through Alkali Collective and independent projects, she has collaborated on the development, premiere, and performance of works by Canadian composers including Amy Brandon, Cris Derksen, Julia Mermelstein, Paolo Griffin, Nour Symon, Liam Elliot, and several others. She enjoys projects that blur the distinction between interpretation and creation, inviting performers to participate in the development of a work through rehearsal, experimentation, and artistic dialogue.

Her performance career has included appearances at festivals and conferences across Canada, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Halifax Jazz Festival, Sonic Boom New Music Festival, Upstream Music Association’s Open Waters Festival, Acadia University’s Shattering the Silence New Music Festival, and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. She has also performed internationally, including appearances in Japan with the Vancouver Pops Symphony Orchestra.

Alongside her performance work, Shauna develops creative projects that explore collaboration, listening, participation, and the creative process through performance, facilitation, writing, and composing. Her current interests include performer agency, community-building, and the structures and systems that support a sustainable artistic practice.

Projects involving her work have received support from Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and a range of community and presenting partners. Recent professional development includes Kodály Musicianship Training, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity’s Cultural Leadership program, and a Performance Fellowship at the Nief-Norf Summer Festival.

Shauna holds a Bachelor of Music in Education and Performance from Acadia University and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from Université de Montréal.

For examples of creative work, please visit Selected Works.