Caroline Burton

Caroline is an multidisciplinary artist and activist originally from Wolfville, NS. Where they grew up performing with the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir and Nova Scotia Youth Choir. They studied voice with Paula Rockwell at Acadia University. This training prepared them for the many years in Toronto where Caroline received an Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre at Sheridan College. Caroline worked in Musical Theatre in Toronto, with companies like Smile Theatre, Punctuate! Theatre, Orange Girls, Theatre Sheridan etc. Caroline decided to make their way to Charlottetown where they can now be found working in the nonprofit world. After making this shift Caroline knew they needed music in their life and joined Sirens. They may also be seen singing with the Charlottetown band, Lady Soul.

Kara Callaghan

Kara was born and raised on PEI. Her passion for music was encouraged from a young age. Kara’s choral experience started with the Confederation Centre Girls Choir and continued locally, nationally, and abroad, until present day. Along with singing with Sirens, Kara is also a member of Luminos Ensemble and is active in the music ministry at St. Dunstan’s Basilica. Kara holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Acadia University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UPEI and currently works as a Registered Nurse. In her spare time, Kara can be found either hiking a trail or curled up at home with her cat.

Sara Campbell

Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with Honours from St Francis Xavier University and a Master’s in Sacred Music from Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto, where she studied with fondly remembered professor of pedagogy, Lynn Blaser. Sara has also recently completed her Certificate in Adult Education from the University of Prince Edward Island. Sara joined the National Association of Teachers of Singing in 2021 as a Vice President of the newly-formed Canadian Atlantic Provinces (“CAP”) NATS Chapter. She also holds an associate membership with the Pan-American Vocology Association. She has completed her Vocal Health First Aid certification through the non-profit organization Vocal Health Education based in the UK and is pursuing further training with the goal of becoming a Singing Voice Specialist. Sara lives in Stratford with her husband Dave and their two boys Ben & Jack.

Suzanne Campbell

Mezzo-soprano Suzanne Campbell received much of her early vocal training as a member of the Confederation Centre Girls’ Choir. She completed her undergraduate studies in vocal performance and music education at Dalhousie University and later received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory. Suzanne is a regular soloist at several churches in Charlottetown and has often appeared as the alto soloist with the Confederation Singers under the direction of Don Fraser. Suzanne currently teaches singing to students of all ages at her home studio in Charlottetown where she lives with her husband and three children.

Kate Dempsey

Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Kate Dempsey developed a love of choral music from an early age. As a youth she sang with the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir (now Shallaway Youth Choir). She has also sung with the Associação Coral de Florianópolis, Trent University Madrigal Choir, and Island A Capella. She is thrilled to be singing with Sirens this season! When she is not singing Kate can be found working in the community sector, and building things. Kate lives in Charlottetown with her partner and cat, both of whom are very supportive.

Andrea Ellis

Andrea Ellis is an educator, pianist and vocalist based out of Charlottetown, PEI, and is an active member of the province’s thriving music community. Andrea is a Registered Music Teacher (RMT) and is a certified piano teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Along with managing a thriving private studio, she is Music Director at Park Royal United Church in Charlottetown, Choir Director with the River Clyde Pageant and works as a collaborative pianist with several Island choirs and musicians, including Harmonia Girls’ Choir. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Music (piano) from UPEI and is a two-time member of the National Youth Choir of Canada. She is proud to be a founding member of Sirens and looks forward to another season of singing!

Isabelle Gallant

Isabelle fell in love with choral singing while growing up in Halifax. She also studied piano from the age of four and has a BA in music from Bishop’s University. After dedicating many years to music, she decided to switch her focus and study journalism. Isabelle graduated from The University of King’s College with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2008 and has worked as a radio producer for CBC ever since, in Edmonton, Toronto, and now Charlottetown. While living in Edmonton she was a founding member of the Accord Ensemble, a young adult chamber choir. Since moving back to PEI two years ago, she is enjoying spending time in nature, reconnecting with family and her Acadian culture, and exploring her creativity. Isabelle lives near Hunter River with her husband Jacques, a singer and accordionist, and their daughter Lucie.

Jennifer Gillis

Soprano Jennifer Gillis started her musical career in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, singing alongside her parents and 4 siblings. An avid choral singer from a young age, Jennifer was a long-time member of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir under the direction of Canada’s leading choral conductors. While obtaining a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance at UPEI, Jennifer was a two-time member of the National Youth Choir of Canada. Jennifer’s choral career continued as she obtained an MA in Musicology from the University of Toronto while singing with UofT’s Bach Choir. Today, Jennifer, and her husband, Brandon, are raising their own family band; they have 2 adorable children, Jackson and Ava. When she’s not singing, she works as a Development Officer for Make-A-Wish PEI. She’s thrilled to continue her choral career as a founding member of Sirens and Sirens Choral Association Inc.

Danalee Lynch-Venoitte

Danalee Lynch-Veinotte was born and raised in Western PEI. She spent most her days learning to play piano or singing whenever she could. She grew up performing at local and provincial music festivals. She studied music education while at UPEI where she had the honour of performing with several choirs including the National Youth Choir of Canada. Being one of the original members of Sirens, she is honoured to be back amongst this very talented group. She’s now a teacher at Alberton Elementary where she teaches her two children. She can also be found with her fellow band mates of the Chad Matthews Band where she performs as a vocalist and pianist.

Kelsea McLean

Sought after for her high-energy and passionate emphasis on vocal technique and text, Kelsea McLean is dedicated to her belief in the transformative power of singing in community. While obtaining her Bachelor of Music from Canadian Mennonite University, she studied with Janet Brenneman who profoundly influenced her practice and decision to continue in the field of music education. Kelsea obtained her Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan, and subsequently completed her Masters of Education with a focus in Music Education at Acadia University under the mentorship of Dale Lonis and Ardith Haley. She also studied conducting privately with Jim Sparks. She serves as Artistic Director for Sirens and Harmonia Girls’ Choir and is also the conductor of the prestigious Under the Spire Festival Chorus. Additionally, she has had the privilege of providing choral clinics for programs such as Music Monday and the PEI Junior Honour Choir and has adjudicated for the Atlantic Festival of Music in Halifax. Choral by night and concert band by day, she teaches instrumental music at Montague Intermediate School.

Marlee Saulnier

Marlee Saulnier is a saxophonist, vocalist and pianist hailing from Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and is currently based in Charlottetown, PEI. She holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from Humber College in Toronto, Ontario. Marlee has had the opportunity to play and sing with numerous musical groups throughout Ontario, Atlantic Canada and Mexico, including The Count and the Cuban Cocktail, Humber’s Latin Jazz Ensemble, Charlottetown-based world music group I and the Village, and Amy, Amy Amy – A Tribute to Amy Winehouse. In addition to Sirens, Marlee is currently performing with Luminos Ensemble, Paper Lions, More Soul, and as a sideman with various Island musicians. When not performing, you can find Marlee working as Executive Director for the PEI Symphony Orchestra.

Shannon Scales

Shannon Scales studied vocal performance at the University of Prince Edward Island under the direction of Sung Ha Shin Bouey; receiving her Bachelor of Music in 2010. Following her post-secondary education, Shannon moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she studied under Soprano, Lucy Hayes Davis. She is currently studying with renowned Trinidadian Soprano, Jeanine De Bique and is loving this deeper exploration of her sound. She has performed with award winning choirs, Halifax Camerata Singers and Xara Choral Theatre (where she was a featured soloist on their ECMA nominated album), as well as Opera Nova Scotia and the Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus. Throughout her professional career, she has been a featured soloist in works by Handel, Rossini, Dvorak, Jenkins, Gounod, and more. When she is not making music, you can find her on her yoga mat, or with a cup of tea in hand.