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Wellness and Leadership Incorporated (WLI) coaching, courses, and concerts are designed to support and cultivate change.
Founder and Director Gwen Klassen A portion of WLI fees are reserved for Sponsorship (Calgary Phil NAAS 2024, Safe Music Inc 2025, Can't Buy My Silence 2026) Subsidy (those wishing to Listen | Learn | Lead without the funds to do so) |
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Listen to your inner wisdom as you learn new strategies to step into your leadership presence,
while navigating your role, responsibilities, and resources. Copyright 2022- All Rights Reserved.
while navigating your role, responsibilities, and resources. Copyright 2022- All Rights Reserved.
Leadership can often be a lonely experience professionally and personally, requiring immense capacity, resiliency, care, and a circle of trust. Coaching with Gwen provides a safe space to process, debrief, unpack and re-engage with the vision.
2025/2026
Dr Julie Macfarlane she/her
Member of the Order of Canada
Emerita Distinguished University Professor of Law, University of Windsor
Dr Angela Grace
Member of the Order of Canada
Emerita Distinguished University Professor of Law, University of Windsor
- Co-Founder of Can’t Buy My Silence, a campaign to ban the misuse of NDAs
- Founder and former Director, National Self-Represented Litigants Project
- Author (most recently) of "Going Public: A Survivor's Journey from Grief to Action" winner of the Huguenot Society of Canada Award (2021-22)
Dr Angela Grace
- Registered Psychologist specializing in Trauma
- Feminist Social Justice Researcher & Advocate
- Grade 10 Royal Conservatory- Piano
In 2025, Wellness and Leadership Inc worked toward creating safer music work and learning spaces, and has presented its' Safe Music Initiative at both MHRI (UOttawa) and OCSM conferences (Toronto). WLI curated a National working group which meets monthly, and has invested hundred's of hours for research and meetings; with Canada Sport Integrity, local unions, Can't Buy My Silence, Coalition of Musicians for Ethical Change (US) , Notable Values, and more.
In 2026, the Safe Music Initiative evolved into Safe Music Incorporated, an independent, federally incorporated not-for-profit, of which Jemma Jones and Gwen Klassen are the Co-Founders; music and work learning spaces free of abuse, harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Reach out to Gwen or Jemma if you wish to know more about this important work, and how to become involved.
In 2026, the Safe Music Initiative evolved into Safe Music Incorporated, an independent, federally incorporated not-for-profit, of which Jemma Jones and Gwen Klassen are the Co-Founders; music and work learning spaces free of abuse, harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Reach out to Gwen or Jemma if you wish to know more about this important work, and how to become involved.
Wellness and Leadership Inc Founder and Director
Gwen Klassen, she/her (M.Mus, Northwestern University) is the Wellness and Leadership Inc Founder and Director. Gwen is a lifelong learner, certified Life Coach, tenured orchestral musician with the Calgary Phil, Sessional Instructor University of Calgary, Workshop facilitator/producer for Mount Royal University Conservatory APP programme, parent, Reiki Master, and certified End of Life Doula.
Click here for links to Gwen's ongoing professional development, CV, recordings, publications, and blogs. Gwen was also the Founder and Director of the highly successful Pender Island Flute Retreat 2009-2021. Telling Stories in Sound | Explore the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of flute performance and pedagogy.
Click here for links to Gwen's ongoing professional development, CV, recordings, publications, and blogs. Gwen was also the Founder and Director of the highly successful Pender Island Flute Retreat 2009-2021. Telling Stories in Sound | Explore the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of flute performance and pedagogy.
Jemma Jones joins the WLI team
Jemma Jones she/her (M.Mus, Grad. Dip., B.Mus double bass performance, McGill University) has served as Assistant Principal Bass of Symphony Nova Scotia since 2022. She is an avid teacher, youth orchestra coach, and performer. In addition to the regular Symphony Nova Scotia season, Jemma enjoys playing chamber and solo recitals, and performing as extra bass with the Calgary Philharmonic and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
From a young age, Jemma has been aware of the imbalances in the classical music world that can impact musicians’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being and, in turn, their ability to perform at their highest level. Jemma is committed to addressing these deeply-ingrained imbalances and the culture that permits them.
Jemma Jones she/her (M.Mus, Grad. Dip., B.Mus double bass performance, McGill University) has served as Assistant Principal Bass of Symphony Nova Scotia since 2022. She is an avid teacher, youth orchestra coach, and performer. In addition to the regular Symphony Nova Scotia season, Jemma enjoys playing chamber and solo recitals, and performing as extra bass with the Calgary Philharmonic and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
From a young age, Jemma has been aware of the imbalances in the classical music world that can impact musicians’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being and, in turn, their ability to perform at their highest level. Jemma is committed to addressing these deeply-ingrained imbalances and the culture that permits them.
Jemma serves on the Symphony Nova Scotia health and safety committee, negotiating committee, and players’ committee (vice-chair). In addition, she is a member of the Mental Performance in the Arts Canada webinar committee, the Sector Change working group (in affiliation with Women for Musical Leadership), and is actively working on initiatives to address and reduce harassment in the classical music community. Jemma is a passionate advocate for the well-being and safety of musicians and, through her work, endeavours to create a more inclusive and safe culture for all in the performing arts.
Coaching, Courses, Concerts, and Conferences
COACHING - online musician coaching circle; once/month Monday's 2-3:30pm Eastern Sept - May
One-one online coaching series curated just for you; 30 minutes, once/week for 6 weeks. Text and video support in between sessions included. COURSES - In person Tuesday evening Movement, Mental Skills and Mindfulness for Musicians at the U of C Sept 2025 - April 2026, based on 13 WLI workshop series for Mount Royal University Conservatory Advanced Performers Program Sept - May 2025 Flute Tapestry 12 week video course with Carolyn Christie and Gwen begins Monday Sept 8, 2025 |
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CONCERT - Flutists of Calgary perform some of their favourite pieces composed by women from North America on Sunday March 22, 2026 3-4pm @ St.Stephens Anglican Church for the Instrumental Society of Calgary. Flutists are Lucie Jones, Gwen Klassen, Emily Phernambucq, Sarah MacDonald, with pianist Akiko Tominaga! Compositions by Athparia, Coulthard, Harberg, Kruger, Laurin, McMichael.
CONFERENCES Safe Music Initiative presentation by Gwen and Jemma; Tuesday August 12, 2025 @ Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians Conference in Toronto | May 13, 2025 1:30pm @ UOttawa, Music and Health Research Institute |
One-One Coaching with Gwen
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One-One coaching allows for a more in depth and insightful approach to creating and executing your vision for your life. It's all about rooting into the relationship we have to ourselves, which anchors us when the winds of transition begin to blow, and we're sensing the call to lead.
A safe space to discover and explore what is alive and sparkling in you right now, unpack what's getting the the way, and co-create a plan with accountability baked in. |
Musician Coaching and Courses with Gwen
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In Person Series twice/month for 8 months
WLI is produced re a bi-weekly cohort every other Tuesday evening 7-8pm Sept 2024- April 2025 at the University of Calgary based on past successful WLI and Pender Island Flute Retreat series
Online Cohort Musician Wellness and Leadership once/month Care of both the music and the musician. Explore our constant yet ever changing relationship to Music, ourselves and each other throughout our career and life chapters!
Flute Tapestry Course once/week for 12 weeks Video
Weekly Mental Skills & Mindfulness videos by Carolyn Christie and Gwen, plus curated flute fundamental videos, as well as charts, videos, articles, and documents from Gwen's many years as faculty | Life Coach | administrator at the Pender Island Flute Retreat, of which she was also Founder & Director for 12 years.
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WLI often hires additional consultants for the Womyn in the Arts Series and the Musician Wellness and Leadership Series such as Cayla Charles, Carolyn Christie, Betty Pries. The Flute Tapestry Series guests included Alex Conway, Sara Hahn Scinocco from the Winnipeg Symphony and Calgary Phil.
Curate your own series with Gwen
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Step 1 - Book a free zoom consult with Gwen to discern which stream is best for you and your team.
Step 2 - Register and receive Wellness and Leadership Inc discovery and preparatory packages.
Step 3 - Engage deeply with the process of exploring what you want and create an accountable plan. Execute and evaluate the plan. Be willing to experiment and change the plan with Generosity, Gratitude, and Grace.
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Coaching Testimonials
"Gwen helped me identify what I wanted and to say it out loud.... We talked through strategies on how to clear some space for this goal and made a short-term and a long-term plan...." A.C.
"I found (Gwen's) suggestions and hints to be just what I needed to go forward with the ideas that were incubating in my subconscious. Without leading me off my path, she offered ideas and experiences from her own life that reflected issues I have been having in mine. I would strongly recommend her as a coach to anyone who wants more clarity in their lives and could use some guidelines offered by a long time professional to find it." N.B
"The classes gave me the opportunity to slow down once a week and check in on my physical and mental health. It also brought more intention and meaning into my daily practice that I didn't have before. Providing a space to talk about important and vulnerable issues in music and life, and challenging me to dive deeper and ask questions about who I am and why I make music." Anonymous
"...Gwen consistently led classes with her infallible sense of humour and an honest perspective from the eyes of an accomplished professional musician.... I always knew that the morning class would bring laughter and insightfulness....Gwen excels at teaching people to recognize and appreciate the people around them....Gwen created the friendly, encouraging, and supportive environment....” S.M.
"I found (Gwen's) suggestions and hints to be just what I needed to go forward with the ideas that were incubating in my subconscious. Without leading me off my path, she offered ideas and experiences from her own life that reflected issues I have been having in mine. I would strongly recommend her as a coach to anyone who wants more clarity in their lives and could use some guidelines offered by a long time professional to find it." N.B
"The classes gave me the opportunity to slow down once a week and check in on my physical and mental health. It also brought more intention and meaning into my daily practice that I didn't have before. Providing a space to talk about important and vulnerable issues in music and life, and challenging me to dive deeper and ask questions about who I am and why I make music." Anonymous
"...Gwen consistently led classes with her infallible sense of humour and an honest perspective from the eyes of an accomplished professional musician.... I always knew that the morning class would bring laughter and insightfulness....Gwen excels at teaching people to recognize and appreciate the people around them....Gwen created the friendly, encouraging, and supportive environment....” S.M.
Coming Soon!
- Patreon - The Atom as a metaphor for Leadership and team dynamics, Body, Brain, Breath and Boundaries, The Container and Column, Ease within the Effort, Paradigms and Paradox, Flow, Harmonic Series as a metaphor for Life's transitions and transformations, Resonance and Resilience.
Wellness and Leadership is Incorporated on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (District 5 & 6), and all people who work, create and play in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
Copyright 2022-
Wellness and Leadership Incorporated
All Rights Reserved
Wellness and Leadership Incorporated
All Rights Reserved