We are pleased to have a live band for another musical. It was a huge undertaking to learn almost 30 songs in the time we had. However, thanks to the talented and dedicated musicians, we were able to learn way more than we expected with so few musicians. A few of the songs will be tracks, but we promise we will be better!
Our Band Leader and drummer, Nick Winsor, is well known in the community for his involvement in the Queen Street Theatre. Nick was also one of our drummers for Rock of Ages in 2019, and was a part of the Mamma Mia band in 2020. Nick will be moving to Toronto in the Fall to pursue a career in studio engineering. We are beyond fortunate to have Nick lead our band and play drums for us!
Our guitar player is Ryan Russell who is currently in grade 12 at EVH. Ryan takes private lessons in guitar and we are beyond lucky to have such a talented musician in our school. Ryan was in our production of Footloose last year, as well as All Together now, making this his 3rd performance with EVH.
We are also so lucky to have three very talented international students in our band this year. Mara Gulden plays timpanis in an orchestra in Germany and has been studying piano since she was very young. Mara competed in this year’s Kiwanis Music festival and takes private lessons from Desiree Lane-Pardy. Mara will be playing keyboard in the Mamma Mia band. Jules Paucot is from France and has also been playing piano since a young age. We are very pleased to have him join us to play a few songs. Sofia Tosi plays violin in an orchestra in Germany and will be playing in the “Winner Takes it All.” As well, Sofia will be a page turner and assistant to Ms. Clarke.
Ms. Jennifer Clarke is our Music teacher at EVH and is very excited (and nervous!) for her first experience with playing keyboard and directing from the pit. Ms. Clarke has also been the vocal coach for this production.
The other two members of our band are Beth Lane on keyboards and auxiliary percussion and Cace Mercer on bass guitar. Cace played bass in our band for Rock of Ages as well, and Mamma Mia 2020. Both are well known for their involvement in the Queen Street Dinner Theatre. Beth and Cace are both studying Jazz Performance in Toronto.
