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Our 2024 Conductors are......
Stuart Sladden
Conductor
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Dr. Stuart Sladden was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto (2002), in vocal jazz performance, a Master of Music degree from the University of Manitoba (2012), and a Doctor of Music degree from the University of Alberta (2020), both in choral conducting. He is a freelance musician, appearing as a guest conductor, workshop leader, adjudicator, and clinician mainly throughout Canada. He has worked as a sessional instructor at both the University of Alberta and University of Manitoba teaching courses in aural skills, conducting, and choral literature, has been a guest conductor for both the University of Manitoba’s Concert Choir and Upper Voices Choir,  and is a regular faculty member at the International Music Camp.  

 

Over nearly thirty years, Stuart has enjoyed working with a variety of traditional, jazz, and church choirs as both a singer and conductor. Currently, he is the Artistic Director of Joie de Vivre Community Choir, is Director of Music at Westminster United Church, and is a singer with one of Winnipeg’s professional choral ensembles, the Winnipeg Singers.

 

Along with his teaching and choral work, Stuart is passionate about building relationship and community through choir. He has been the chair of ChoralFest, one of the largest stand-alone, non-competitive choral festivals in Manitoba, has served on the  board of the Manitoba Music Educators Association, was the President of the Manitoba Choral Association and just finished his term as Past-President, and currently serves on the board of the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba. He is also the current President of Buchanan School’s Parent Advisory Council and a Member-at-Large of the Assiniboine West Recreation Association.

 

Stuart last conducted the Westman Youth Choir in 2014 and is looking forward to the opportunity to do so again this year along with Co-Conductor Deanna Ginn and Collaborative Pianist Danielle Guina.

Deanna Ginn
Conductor
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Deanna Ginn is the founding conductor of Prairie Blend, a TTBB choral ensemble that is now in its 22nd season. Deanna is also proud to conduct Bel Canto, the Brandon Conservatory Chorale program’s adult SATB choir. 

 

Deanna’s prairie roots run deep, having grown up in the southeastern MB village of Dominion City. She holds both a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education (AD) from Brandon University, where she studied with mentors whose influences have had a lifelong impact. 

 

Deanna has worked extensively with choirs throughout the region – most notably the Trinity United Church choirs, those in the CPSings! Choral Music program at Crocus Plains, and the renowned Western Manitoba Youth Choir. 

 

Throughout her career, Deanna has worked as a vocal performer and instructor, choral conductor and clinician, and sessional instructor at Brandon University in Music Education.  She is also an Early Years literacy specialist and classroom educator.  Deanna currently teaches at Maryland Park School in Brandon. She enjoys a busy life with her husband Kris Desjarlais and their children Gillian, Ben and Faye. 

Danielle Guina
Collaborative Pianist
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Danielle Guina is a Canadian collaborative pianist, singer, and educator, based in Brandon, MB.   She has performed internationally from Los Angeles to Italy, and is passionate about being a well-rounded musician and staying true to her roots.  Since completing her masters in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY) under the direction of Jean Barr, Danielle is now a freelance collaborative pianist, teacher of piano, voice, theory, and history at the Eckhardt-Gramatté-Gramatte Conservatory of Music in Brandon, a staff pianist and sessional instructor at Brandon University’s School of Music, and pianist for multiple choirs in the Brandon community.  Danielle is thrilled to be a part of WMYC for the third time and can’t wait to make music with Stuart, Deanna, and the 2024 Westman Youth Choir!
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