Deborah Nelson, director 

Deborah is a native of the Maritimes where she obtained her Bachelor of Teaching degree from the University of New Brunswick and completed further studies at the University of Calgary.  She directed the University of Regina Conservatory Youth Choirs from 1987 to 2008. This choir program grew to include three choirs involving over 130 choristers annually. She was nominated as a “Woman of Distinction in the Arts” in 2003.  She began in the year 2000 as director of the Luther College Girls Choir and is excited to be the founder and director of the Cantate Youth Choirs. In November 2011 Deborah was selected to receive the Pro Musica award from the Saskatchewan Choral Federation for “exemplary service to choral music in the province of Saskatchewan”.  

 

Marlene Hinz, accompanist

Marlene obtained her Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1985. Since that time she has been very fortunate to teach music and the arts to Elementary school children. She has continued to pursue her studies through several classes at both the University of Saskatchewan and University of Alberta mostly in the area of Orff education. Marlene is the movement instructor for the Level I and II courses in Saskatchewan. In March of 2012 she was presented with the Sylvia Yam award of teaching excellence by the Saskatchewan Orff Chapter. In November 2009, she received an outstanding achievement award from the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association. In the fall of 2015, she received a Shared Values Award from the Regina Public School Division. She enjoys accompanying the youth community choir Cantate as well as singing and playing in a contemporary folk group at church. She is the founder of UMOJA: One Heart – One Beat, a world drumming group for young performers. One of her greatest joys is to make music with her husband and two daughters who are an inspiration and continuous support to her.