ABOUT M.J.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved music (probably just like you). I would sing in the church choir in the farming town where I grew up, and my parents would play records (yes, real records) of Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music. In high school, I started taking voice lessons with a teacher who taught classical singing--only classical. Music theatre wasn’t allowed anywhere near her studio, and pop? Oh, think again! The problem? I started to get hired for gigs that required me to do a whole lot more than the classical technique I was learning. My first big job was at Canada’s Wonderland, singing pop tunes, with no real training in how to do so.  I jumped in and figured it out...and kept going from there!

"I jumped in and figured it out...and kept going from there!"

After graduating theatre school, I did some performing, but in the lulls between gigs, I would play for community theatre shows...which led me to music directing, which I grew to absolutely loooove. My work as a music director took me to some pretty amazing places...Vocal coaching on the Disney Magic Cruise Ship, playing keys for a national tour of “Wicked,” and conducting, music directing, and coaching a thousand other shows in a thousand other venues...and loving every second of it. 

All that music directing, accompanying, and coaching gave me a unique perspective on the vocal and artistic choices that help singers shine. To date, my students have performed with Mirvish Productions, the Stratford Festival, Drayton Entertainment, and many other theatres across Canada and the United States. And I know just how important it is to stay sharp and keep up with industry developments.  I continue to take lessons and workshops so I can best serve my students and help them reach their goals.  

From teaching myself to sing pop all those years ago to my current work with musicians of all ages, my whole life has been about equipping singers to make the music they want to make.

"I’ve finally come home to the studio...to get you ready for the stage."