Cyberbullied teen Amanda Todd given voice in new NACO work

Amanda Todd's one great dream was to be on stage, says her mother, Carol Todd.

The 15-year-old fromPortCoquitlam, B.C., died by suicide in October 2012 after being relentlessly tormented by cyberstalkers.

• Amanda Todd stood up to stalker in Facebook conversation
• The Fifth Estate:The Sextortion of Amanda Todd

On Thursdaythe teenager'swords of hope and courage will liveon in anew musical work commissioned by the National Arts Centre Orchestra.My Name is AmandaToddblends music, multimediaand Todd's ownthoughts on bullying andharassment.

"Her one dream was to be on the stage."

8 years ago

Duration 0:22

Carol Todd talks about her daughter Amanda's love of music.

'This is my little girl'

Carol Toddsays she was still steeped in griefand skepticalwhen the NACO approached her two years ago about amusical project based on Amanda's experience.

"How are you going to portray my daughter's story through music and performing arts?" Todd recalls asking. "This is my little girl. How are you going to do that?"

In the endTodd said yes, a decision she hasn't regretted.

"This performance will inspire hope, and is a message about humanity and how we must treat each other to be better people."

Todd's death provokedan intense public reactionbecause of aYouTubevideo she posted just weeks before. In it, she flips through a series of hand-written notes detailing the threats and harassmentshe endured after a topless picture of her was shared onsocial media.

The NACO'smusic director, Alexander Shelley, says watching the video convinced him to set Amanda's storyto music.

"It's an important story, a powerful story,"says Shelley. "Looking at the battleAmanda had to fight in her young years, and the way she found a moment where she stood up to it, despite what happened afterwards, is inspiring."

Resources

Groups that provide support services to young people:

• Ottawa Distress Line:613-238-3311
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• Child, Youth and Family Crisis Line for Eastern Ontario: 1-877-377-7775
• Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre:613-741-6025
• Mental Health Crisis Line(Ages 16 and up): 613-722-6914
• Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa: 613-260-2360

Alexander Shelley inspired by Amanda Todd

8 years ago

Duration 0:45

NACO conductor will debut 'I Am Amanda Todd',Thursday May 19, 2016.

Composer spent time with teen's mother

My Name is Amanda Toddis a 10-minute orchestral work composed by Jocelyn Morlock, who spent time withCarol Todd learning about Amanda's hopes, dreams and musical preferences.

The NAC Orchestra will perform the piece whilewords and images floatacross a large screen. The immersive production is directed by Donna Feore.

The piece will premiere along with a new work dedicated to formerCanadian astronautRobertaBondar. Composed by NicoleLizee,BondarspheretracesBondar'slife as astronaut, physician, scientific researcherand photographer with music, video and still images.

Both works are part of the series Life Reflected,musical portraits of Canadian women who have made a lasting impact.

My Name is Amanda Todd debuts Thursday, May 19at 8 p.m.

You can watch OmarDabaghi-Pacheco's interview withCarol Todd and Alexander ShelleyThursday here.