Music Team

  Jenn Forsland - Musical Director - CS & GN

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Jennifer Forsland is a dynamic conductor with an irrepressible spirit who inspires choir and audience members alike with her joy and enthusiasm.  Jen joined the choir in September 2010 and combines her deep love of music and impassioned engagement with community to lift the choir to new heights of heart-felt musical expression. She now directs two of the three  choirs under the "Celebration" umbrella; Celebration Singers and a women's ensemble, Grace Notes. Her irrepressible spirit and sincerity never fail to delight and touch the soul of her enthusiastic audiences. Jenn teaches music in elementary and secondary schools in the Comox Valley and is active in musical theatre, private vocal teaching and sings with  the fabulous ladies of Swing Set and her own jazz quartet, Jenn Forsland Group. She has also recently taken the helm of the Island Voices Chamber Choir. Jenn will occasionally   step off the podium to delight you with her gorgeous voice and captivating  presence.  So as you can see Jenn is thoroughly immersed in the local choral scene, much to our delight.

    Carol  Anne Parkinson - Director - M of N
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

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!