Download 2015 waterfront singing ambassadors bios

2015 WATERFRONT SINGING AMBASSADORS BIOS
Scarborough resident Paulo Amor is a charismatic individual who is not a stranger in the Toronto music
scene. As the lead singer/songwriter for the homegrown Toronto band “DiverseCity”, he has propelled the
group into opening acts for major YouTube artists such as D-Pryde, Crystalyne, Courage My Love, and
Paradise Fears. Paulo's experience singing in front of a crowd gives him the confidence to excel, and
this fall, he plans to take Music Industry and Performance at Centennial College to pursue his dream as a
songwriter for major record label artists.
Born in Windsor and currently living in Ajax, Alicia Estridge is completing her B.A. in French studies at
the University of Toronto. She has been part of many different choirs and ensembles, such as the Hart
House Jazz Choir and the University of Toronto Gospel Choir. She also won a Gospel Choir award in
2009 and is the assistant worship leader at her local church.
North York resident Reuven Grajner is a pianist/singer/composer/music teacher. Earlier this spring he
released his debut solo piano album A Whisper Away (facebook.com/reuvengrajnermusic). To expand his
musical horizons, he is currently studying Jazz Piano Performance at the University of Toronto. Reuven
sings with the Toronto Northern Lights Chorus, Yonge Guns Quartet, and the University of Toronto Vocal
Jazz Ensemble.
Etobicoke’s Olivia Janus is currently working towards completing her undergraduate degree in
Biochemical Engineering at Queen’s University. Growing up in Toronto’s west end, Olivia has been
surrounded by a variety of music genres throughout her life, which expanded her musical vocabulary and
experience. She has sung in various choirs including the High Park Choirs of Toronto, the Etobicoke
School of Arts choirs including Jamme, The Women’s Chorus and The Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Choir.
Hugh Ritchie is an actor, singer and musician originally from Brookville, Ontario. He is a recent graduate
of the Ryerson Theatre School, earning a BFA in Acting. He is a co-founder of Wolf Manor Theatre
Collective and appeared as Macduff/King Duncan in the company's production of Macbeth and as Clifford
Bradshaw in Stageworks Toronto's production of Cabaret at the George Ignatieff Theatre.
Bloordale Village resident Jessie Rivést is a Vocal Music graduate of York University and will be
continuing her education this coming September at Humber College for Arts and Cultural Management.
She has both participated and been awarded in the Bremen Choral Olympics, had a leadership role in
York's a cappella group for five years, and currently sings with the Concord Vocal Ensemble.
North York’s Sheree Spencer is a versatile singer and violinist, who continues to establish herself as a
professional in both the music and theatre industry. A graduate from McGill University with a Bachelor of
Arts in Music and a Double Minor in Drama Performance and Environment Studies, Sheree has sung
with noteworthy musicians Oliver Jones and Ranee Lee while singing with the Montreal Jubilation Gospel
Choir. She has also been a chorister with the McGill Symphonic Choir, Schulich Chamber Singers and
Berkshire Scholars in Massachusetts. As a violinist, Sheree has performed a variety of styles, ranging
from Broadway/Musical theatre to classical music within both Canada and Italy. Sheree is also fluent in
French and English.
Thornhill’s Christopher Tanaka-Mann is a private vocal coach and aspiring music educator. He currently
sings with Yonge Guns, a barbershop quartet that represented Ontario in the International Collegiate
Barbershop Quartet Contest, as well as with the International Barbershop Chorus Champions of 2013,
the Toronto Northern Lights. He has a broad musical background ranging from musical theatre to rock
bands, and is expanding his horizons every day.