2025 Conductor - Avonlea Armstrong-Green
Avonlea has been teaching music in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division in Winnipeg for 20 years, having taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She currently teaches at Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, and directs the awardwinning St. James-Assiniboia Senior Divisional Choir. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education(A.D) from Brandon University, graduating with the gold medal in Music Education, as well as an Associate degree in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She holds a Post-baccalaureate in Education from the U of M and is certified as an Orff specialist. Most recently, she obtained a Masters in Choral Conducting from the U of M in 2020, graduating with the gold medal in her program. In 2023 and 2013, Avonlea was the recipient of the Michael J. Proudfoot Award, recognizing a conductor exemplifying a passion for excellence in choral work.
In the summer, she enjoys teaching the choral component of the Orff certification program at the U of M. She is active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the province and enjoys building relationships and sharing her love for choral music with students of all ages. Aside from teaching, Avonlea sings and plays piano in her church band, and loves spending time with her husband, Joel and sons, Crosby and Rylan.
In the summer, she enjoys teaching the choral component of the Orff certification program at the U of M. She is active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the province and enjoys building relationships and sharing her love for choral music with students of all ages. Aside from teaching, Avonlea sings and plays piano in her church band, and loves spending time with her husband, Joel and sons, Crosby and Rylan.
2025 Accompanist - Loren Hiebert
Ever since he was a quiet little boy growing up in rural Kansas, Loren Hiebert has felt a close connection to music. The folks in church always sang in four-part harmony, and there was southern gospel music on the record player. A most significant part of Loren's musical development was his uncle and piano teacher, Glenn Loewen. Since 1980, Loren has been sharing that rich
musical relationship with 60-70 piano students a year. Drawing on his active professional life as a performer, recording artist, collaborator, and adjudicator, he has been eager to bring his students into that world of vibrant creative experience. Loren has been the accompanist for many individuals and groups, including opera singers Andriana Chuchman, Robyn Driedger Klassen, Victor Engbrecht, Philip Ens and Jerome Hines. Loren has performed and recorded extensively with violinist Rosemary Siemens, he improvised the accompaniments on Canzona's three CD recordings of German hymns, and he currently accompanies the Southern Manitoba Choral Society, and the Faith and Life Male Choir. In addition to a university music degree, Loren holds Royal Conservatory of Music ARCT diplomas in piano performance and piano teaching. He remains a long-time member of the piano faculty at the International Music Camp. In 2012, Loren received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his work with youth choirs, music within the community, and private music
instruction. In 2018, he was recognized as a Teacher of Distinction by the Royal Conservatory of Music. Loren and his wife Lori live in Altona.
musical relationship with 60-70 piano students a year. Drawing on his active professional life as a performer, recording artist, collaborator, and adjudicator, he has been eager to bring his students into that world of vibrant creative experience. Loren has been the accompanist for many individuals and groups, including opera singers Andriana Chuchman, Robyn Driedger Klassen, Victor Engbrecht, Philip Ens and Jerome Hines. Loren has performed and recorded extensively with violinist Rosemary Siemens, he improvised the accompaniments on Canzona's three CD recordings of German hymns, and he currently accompanies the Southern Manitoba Choral Society, and the Faith and Life Male Choir. In addition to a university music degree, Loren holds Royal Conservatory of Music ARCT diplomas in piano performance and piano teaching. He remains a long-time member of the piano faculty at the International Music Camp. In 2012, Loren received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his work with youth choirs, music within the community, and private music
instruction. In 2018, he was recognized as a Teacher of Distinction by the Royal Conservatory of Music. Loren and his wife Lori live in Altona.