Norma Breadner

Norma Breadner is a Culinary Instructor and Chef with the Bluewater District Board of Education. She has been providing training and food to students and staff since 2014. Norma received her Ontario College Certificate for Culinary Skills – Chef Training with Honours from Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology.  Norma has served on a number of boards over the years and is currently serving on the Blue Water Curling Club and Central Westside United Church. She enjoys the theatre and is an annual season ticket holder at The Roxy Owen Sound Little Theatre. As well Norma is an active member of the StoneTree Golf Club where she sits on several committees.

Nadia Danyluk

Nadia Danyluk is the Deputy Chief Librarian of the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library. Prior to taking on this senior management role in 2017, Nadia was the Youth Services Librarian for 10 years. There, Nadia’s focus was to create more youth opportunities and develop new programs including the establishment of a Teen Advisory Group, the Grey Bruce Youth Film Festival and the Owen Sound Mini Comicon. In 2015 Nadia was recognized as the Children and Youth Services Librarian of the Year by the Ontario Public Library Association. She has also been an occasional contributor on the CBC’s Ontario Morning sharing suggestions for great books on a variety of topics.

Nadia graduated York University with an Honours Bachelor in English literature and Fine Art in 2004 and was awarded a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2006.

Nadia enjoys the out-of-doors, especially days spent hiking on the Bruce Trail. An amateur musician, she enjoys playing guitar and ukulele.

Scott Irvine

Scott is a Canadian composer, arranger, and tuba player who now calls Owen Sound home.  An associate of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of the Canadian League of Composers, he has been commissioned to compose works by numerous organizations, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Laidlaw Foundation, and the Ontario Arts Council. His works have been recorded on a number of commercial releases by a variety of artists and on multiple record labels, including CDs by Joan Watson, Jack Grunsky, the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Most of his compositions are written for concert band and brass instruments.

Scott is a graduate of the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto and also studied music composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music with Samuel Dolin. He has been the principal tubist for the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra since 1984 and currently holds the same post with the Esprit Orchestra. In 1997, he co-founded True North Brass with whom he has released four CDs, all of which feature some of his own compositions. He is a former member of the Hannaford Street Silver Band with whom he performed, composed, and recorded for more than 20 years. He notably played the tuba music featured on the children’s television program The Elephant Show.

Ella Marie Lund-Thomsen

Ella is a retired administrator with the University of Toronto Engineering Faculty and holds a BA in English Literature and Music History. She credits her first musical experience to a public school piano lesson program where she first learned to play on a cardboard keyboard. Her love of music and singing was nurtured through the richness of music programs offered during her time in public school in Dryden and in the excellent music program at the OSCVI in Owen Sound. When she attended U of T, she sang with the Hart House Chorus, Engineering Stage Band, performed in the annual Skule Nite comedy revue, and sang with the U of T Gospel Choir. She also had the honour to sing with her small band at Owen Sound’s Summerfolk in 1979. After moving back to Owen Sound in 2008, she has volunteered with the Cancer Society, the Bruce Trail and the Bruce Ski Club. She started singing with the Wonderland Singers just before the pandemic began and can’t wait to sing with people again. She feels that the opportunity to learn music (the accordion is next!) should be accessible to everyone.

Anne-Marie McLeish

Anne-Marie was born in Toronto to a family with a strong commitment to peace, social justice, and diversity.  Her family values instilled in her a dedication to helping people.  After earning a Bachelors Degree in Geography at York University, Anne-Marie went on to complete the Canadian Securities Course while working in Toronto’s financial sector.  Anne-Marie has also worked as a Branch Manager for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Red Cross, and served a term as the Executive Director of the Women’s Centre Grey Bruce.  Most recently, Anne-Marie retired after 11 years as Business Manager with Community Living Owen Sound and District.

A capable musician, Anne-Marie has performed on three occasions at Massey Hall in Toronto, sang for Queen Elizabeth during her 1977 Sliver Jubilee visit to Canada, played the role of Lady Sarah in the Haliburton Little Theatre’s 1992 production of Camelot, was a soloist with the Haliburton Messiah Choir and is a past member of the Georgian Bay Concert Choir and the Shoreline Chorus.

David McLeish

David is married (to Anne-Marie) and has two daughters, both of whom are very musical.  He has a B.A. in Geography and Biology and a Master of Science in Biology from York University.  He spent most of his career working for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, initially as a Biologist and later as a Senior Manager.  His work there included working with First Nations, recreational, and commercial fisheries and partner agencies in the U.S., managing Lakes Huron and Superior.

Music has had a special place in David’s heart for as long as he can remember. Initially playing guitar with friends, viola at high school, and later in a ‘basement’ band with friends, music has always been important.  After moving to Owen Sound David joined the Board of Directors for KidsPlay, a small not-for-profit dedicated to producing concerts for young children.  Later he sat on the Board of Directors of the Georgian Bay Folk Society, presenters of the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival, for 5 years, 2 as President.  Now retired, David focuses his energies on renovating a century house and The Big Sound.

Gael Mulvaney-Courtois

Gael is a recently retired vocal and instrumental music teacher with the Bluewater District School Board. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Music from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. She has performed as a soprano soloist with the Georgian Bay Symphony and the Georgian Bay Concert Choir as well as being a member of the vocal ensemble Cricket which regularly performs in the Owen Sound area.
For the last 20 years Gael taught at Holland Chatsworth Central School where her bands regularly won awards at the local, Regional and National levels. She hopes to continue to share her love of music with children for many years to come.