Meet the Performers
Veterans Affairs Canada is pleased to have the following performers at the April 8 and 9 commemorative events at the National War Memorial.
APRIL 8 – Evening of remembrance
Theland Kicknosway
Theland Kicknosway (Wolf Clan, Potawatomi and Cree) is a 13-year-old singer, grass and hoop dancer, and drummer. He enjoys sharing his gift with others and is excited to perform at the National War Memorial. In 2015, Theland was asked to play the drum and lead the procession at Justin Trudeau’s swearing in ceremony. Theland is in his third year of partnering with Families of Sisters in Spirit. The group raises awareness for the children left behind of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Oliver Pigott
Oliver Pigott is a musician, actor and songwriter. He's written hundreds of songs in his career, toured and recorded worldwide and acted on both stage and screen. Musically he's known for the interesting imagery he evokes with his lyrical twists and turns, combined with the blues roots he got from his harmonica-playing father. Oliver's worked with industry luminaries like Nick Tauber (Thin Lizzy, UFO), Doc McKinney (The Weeknd, Esthero) and Dean McTaggart (Wynonna Judd, Amanda Marshall) and recorded in premier studios, including Abbey Road in London, England and CBC Studios in Toronto, Canada. He also appeared as a finalist, alongside his brother, on the closing season of Canadian Idol.
Christopher MacFarlane
Chris MacFarlane is an American/Canadian guitarist, pianist and songwriter, currently based in Toronto. He has played/written with artists such as Francesco Yates, Shawn Desman, Tyler Shaw (SONY), Kira Isabella, Dan Talevski (2016 MMVA Nominee), to name a few. Chris recently returned from a cross-Canada tour with Dan Talevski, opening for Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys.
Michael J. Moore
Raised in the military town of Petawawa, Ontario, Michael was introduced to the trumpet in grade school. Music quickly became a passion and focus in his life. Michael completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto—focusing on classical trumpet—and freelanced in the Toronto area, playing in various orchestras, ensembles, and solo engagements. Michael's music has been aired in several countries, including Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and Scotland.
Ottawa Regional Youth Choir
The Ottawa Regional Youth Choir challenges young people from Ottawa—and the surrounding region—to aspire towards a professional standard of excellence in vocal and choral performance. Currently comprising approximately 40 choristers, the ensemble is open to all individuals ages 15 through 25.
Martin Conboy (MCLD)
Martin Conboy is the founder and principal designer at Martin Conboy Lighting Design (MCLD). He has over 35 years of experience as a lighting designer for architecture, theatre, AV and special events. We are excited to have Mr. Martin Conboy design the illumination depicting Vimy imagery at the National War Memorial.
APRIL 9 – Vimy 100 commemorative ceremony
Andrea McCrady, Dominion Carillonneur
Dr. Andrea McCrady was named Dominion Carillonneur in 2008. She plays the Peace Tower Carillon every weekday and on request to serve Parliamentarians. Andrea began playing the carillon in 1971 as an undergraduate at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut. She has played many recitals in Europe, North America, at international carillon festivals in Florida, Illinois, California and at the 2002 and 2014 congresses of the World Carillon Federation. Andrea has joined the faculty of Carleton University in Ottawa as instructor in the first carillon studies programme in Canada. In her spare time, Dr. McCrady sings in the National Arts Centre Festival Chorus, enjoys New England contra dancing, and explores the great Canadian outdoors by hiking, canoeing, and skiing with her dog, Steinway.
David Hookimaw
David Hookimaw is from Attawapiskat First Nation of Ontario. He is a product of the residential school era, and was sent to school down south to North Bay where he was introduced to the big drum. David’s life has not been the same since then. Lately, he’s been traveling to communities with his drums to perform and lead educational workshops; he teaches people how the drum plays an integral part in reviving Indigenous customs and identity. David will be joined by his nephew Theland Kicknosway.
Ottawa Choral Society
The Ottawa Choral Society is a historic symphonic chorus with a proud tradition of excellence. Directed by the outstanding Canadian choral musician Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the Choral Society continues to play a pivotal and collaborative role in the cultural life of the National Capital Region.
Jean-Sébastien Vallée
The Ottawa Choral Society is directed by Jean-Séastien Vallée, Director of Choral Studies and Chair of the Conducting Area at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. Jean-Sébastien Vallée holds degrees from Université Laval, the Université de Sherbrooke, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a doctorate in conducting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Jonah Spungin and Zachary Rubens
Jonah Spungin is in his first year of his Masters in Voice and Opera at McGill University and is at home on both the operatic and the concert stage. He will be the baritone soloist in Lacrymosa. Jonah’s next engagement sees him singing the title role of Handel's Hercules with Companie Baroque de Montréal at the end of April.
Tenor soloist in Agnus Dei, Zachary Rubens, recently completed his Bachelor of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. He will be returning to McGill in the fall to pursue his Master's in Opera and Voice. Zachary currently studies with voice pedagogue Neil Semer and will be attending the Neil Semer Voice Institute in Rivière-Beaudette this summer.
Sierra Noble
Winnipeg's own Sierra Noble has been a well-known part of the Canadian music scene since a very young age, beginning her touring career when she was only 14 years old as a solo Old-Time fiddle player. Her evolution as an artist brought her to trying her hand at singing and songwriting debuted by a song called “Possibility” which went on to be featured on television shows such as “One Tree Hill” and “Switched at Birth.” She credits that song to be what opened the door to her opening for international legends Bon Jovi and Paul McCartney.
2016 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother – Mrs. Colleen Fitzpatrick
Mrs. Fitzpatrick lost her middle son, Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in the Zahari district, near Kandahar City on March 6th, 2010. As the National Silver Cross Mother, Mrs. Fitzpatrick will place a wreath at the National War Memorial on 9 April 2017 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty.
2014 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother – Mrs. Gisèle Michaud
Mrs. Gisèle Michaud, of Edmundston, New Brunswick, was the 2014 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. Mrs. Michaud lost her youngest son, Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, who was mortally wounded after stepping on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in the Panjwayi District, southwest of Kandahar City, Afghanistan. Mrs. Gisèle Michaud will read a letter by Canadian artilleryman Harold Panabaker, who was wounded in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
- Date modified: