Dr. Vivia Kay Kieswetter

Vivia credits her diversity and breadth of experience for both her ease in quickly seeing solutions to problems and careful skills of discernment. In the words of one of her mentors, jazz legend Jon Hendricks: “Vivia can fix things that are messed up with a capital “F.” Dr Kieswetter is a direct yet compassionate communicator and mediator. Her passions include conflict resolution, anti-oppression education, deep focus work, and transformational wellness in the workplace.

Vivia is in the process of reconnecting with her father’s Indigenous heritage, is passionate about intersectional justice, enjoys cooking, swimming and walking, and often has long theological conversations with her two cats.

Education

  • PhD, Musicology, York University (Toronto)

  • MA, Music Performance, University of Toledo (Ohio)

  • BA, Music; Humanities, Rollins College (Florida)

  • Certificate in Conflict Transformation, Emory University

  • Certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management, Humber College (Toronto)

  • Certificate in Hospitality Management, Ritz-Carleton Management Training Program (Florida)

  • ongoing coursework in Master of Divinity, Trinity College, University of Toronto

Media and Publications

“Let it Burn.” 2021. Geez Magazine, Issue 62, Fall 2021 Dismantling White Theology. p. 35.

Principal’s Notes, St. Clement’s School, 24 November 2019, “Gumption Then And Now.” https://www.scs.on.ca/gumption-then-and-now/ 

Interview, Now Magazine, 3 January 2018, “Vivia Kieswetter: lay minister.” The Body Issue. https://nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/love-your-body/vivia-kieswetter-lay-minister 

“‘It Shows on Your Face’: The Gaze as a Transformative Force in a Presbyterian Liturgical Dance Troupe.” 2012. Dance Chronicle 35.3. https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=YFOilykAAAAJ&hl=en 

“The Cross is My Statue of Liberty: Performing Christian Nationalism at the 2011 National Quartet Convention.” 2012.  Ecumenica, Vol 5.2. https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/psup/ecumenica/article/5/2/43/280842/The-Cross-is-My-Statue-of-Liberty-Performing

“Vocal Jazz.” Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Music.