Music Team
Denise Marquette - Celebration Singers
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Denise Marquette joined the Comox Valley musical family in 2011 after retiring from a very successful teaching career in Vancouver. During her 38 years of teaching, she taught all levels of Concert band, Jazz band, Concert choir as well as Chamber Ensemble and Vocal Jazz. She has been a member of the Comox Valley Concert band since 2011, playing clarinet for four years. In the fall of 2015, she took over the helm of the band as Director. She was a music TOC for the Courtenay School District, has co-directed the past few years with the Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble and previously to that, the Celebration Singers and is currently the director for the all male vocal ensemble the “Quarantones”. Denise has expanded her portfolio to include musical director as she has become immersed in the musical theatre scene in the valley working with all the local theatre companies and has recently completed a production for Bard to Broadway based out of Parksville/Qualicum Beach. “ I am so grateful for the many musical opportunities afforded me in this valley to grow as a musician, conductor and director.” |
Stephanie Eakle - Grace Notes
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Stephanie Eakle has always had a passion for vocal harmony. Before leaving California for Sointula on BC’s remote north coast, she was active in San Francisco’s musical theatre community. While earning a BA in Music in Portland Oregon, she completed three performance tours throughout the U.S. with the Lewis and Clark Honors Choir. She also sang with the San Francisco and Vancouver Bach Choirs as well as the Oakland Symphony Chorus. Like many people who have lived in a small community, Stephanie created opportunities to enjoy her passion for music. She founded then directed the Sointula Singers Community Choir for 25 years. She also directed the Sandpipers Women’s Choir for 5 years and the Wild Heart Youth music programs for 2 years. In 2000 she founded Song Lines, through which she offered workshops in improvisational singing. In addition, she performed with several small groups and recorded CDs with the Fifth Wheel vocal ensemble and The Hilltoppers, a Finnish dance band. In 2003 the Hilltoppers toured Finland with the Purpurrit Dance Ensemble and played at the world famous Kaustinen Music Festival. Since moving to the Comox Valley, Stephanie has sung with the Celebration Singers, Island Voices, the North Island Choral Society and the CYMC Chorus. She has been a leader in the Grace Notes since the choir was formed in 2017. |
Carol Anne Parkinson - Men of Notes
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Carol Anne Parkinson is a joyful singer, voice teacher and conductor. She earned her Bachelor of Music from UBC in 1995 and continued to study with master teacher Arlene McIntyre from 2000-2005. As a chorister, she has cherished memories of singing with the Cap Singers at Kathaumixw, with UBC Choral Union under the direction of Diane Loomer, earning first place in the Markdoberdorf choral festival in Germany with the University Singers, recording two CD's with the Vancouver Cantata Singers, and more recently, singing with Island Voices. She has directed the Hellenic Chorus of Vancouver, several church choirs, CYMC Festival choir, was the founding director of the Nova Voce Choral Society, and currently directs the raucous Men of Notes choir! Carol Anne has been a soloist with the Capilano University Choirs, CYMC, Timbre!, NICS, and with many churches. Not able to sit still for long, she can be found either on her cross country skis or with a crochet hook in hand curled up with a cup of tea with her Wheaten Terrier by her side. |
Sean Mooney - Accompanist - CS & GN
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Sean Mooney, pianist extraordinaire, is the long time accompanist for the Celebration Singers. Sean is well known in the Comox Valley for his versatility and virtuoso piano skills. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance in Ontario and was a top competitor in piano competitions. His friendly and easy-going nature, makes working with him such a pleasure. Sean teaches private piano lessons and is involved in local musical theatre productions. He is highly sought after to accompany other groups in the Valley. Courtesy Tim Penney |
Andrew Sims - Accompanist - M of N
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Andrew Sims completed the Master of Music in Piano from the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the Bachelor of Music degree in Piano from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He maintains a busy teaching studio with remote lessons in Edmonton and teaches local students in the Comox Valley. Andrew is also an examiner for the Canadian National Conservatory of Music and the accompanist for St. George’s United Church in Courtenay. In 2014, Andrew performed at the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. Aside from music, Andrew is a skilled knitter and spinner and loves to spend his time creating socks and sweaters. He recently moved to the Valley from Edmonton in 2020 and is thrilled to be making music with the Men of Notes!
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