Karin Wells: Story Teller

Karin Wells is a story teller. Although she trained as a lawyer, it quickly became clear to her that she'd rather work in radio. Over her 40 years at CBC Radio she developed a passion for producing documentaries. She travelled the world to find stories, about Chinese immigrants and the Vancouver housing crunch, a man who makes bassoons, anti-Semitism in Sweden, women making a mark in their mosque, and as they say, many many more. Karin Wells retired recently. Time to celebrate her!  

In 1995, Karin met Dr Lucille Teasdale, born in Canada, but who for 34 years had worked as a surgeon in Uganda. Karin's documentary Dr Lucy took listeners to Lachore Hospital after news spread that she'd contracted AIDS.

Dr Lucy died the following year. Her daughter Dominique Corti, herself a doctor, runs the foundation she and her husband established. 

When Karin was on assignment, one story led to another. There was the time in Soweto when she was rushing to an appointment and heard glorious music drifting through the air. In 2007 that led to a documentary called Soweto in C Sharp. It told the story of British violist Rosemary Nalden who founded the Buskaid Soweto String Project, a music school to help young musicians from the South African Townships. 

"Suddenly I was plunged into this amazing environment. It was right in the middle of one of the biggest squatter camps, with thousands of people living in absolute degradation. But it was colourful, it was life, and what hit me immediately was that these kids were so motivated and so keen to learn." -Rosemary Naldon on her arrival in Soweto

                                                                                             In 2014, the Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble performed in London's Trafalgar Square to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday.

And then, a blast from the past. It was 1975 and Karin was still pretty green, but was already hosting Arts National. One of her guests was the legendary pianist Glenn Gould, who admitted to her that it's okay to tell the occasional lie. You'll have to listen to the show to hear the context. Later that year he filled in as a guest host for Karin, and she says she still fondly recalls hearing "I'm Glenn Gould, sitting in for Karin Wells."

We wish Karin the very best!