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Dorothy Dyck
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Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff
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Heidi Wood
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Dorothy Dyck was born and raised on a farm in western Manitoba, near Oak Lake. Her early memories include singing together with her six siblings. She studied Education and Music at the University of Manitoba, and from 1997-2024 Dorothy devoted her expertise and energy to developing the Maples Collegiate Choral Program in north-west Winnipeg, The Maples Choirs have collected a long list of accolades over the years.
In 2019 Dorothy received the Michael J. Proudfoot Award, presented to a conductor exemplifying a passion for and excellence in the choral field. In 2024 Dorothy was presented with the MCA Award of Distinction for Artistic Excellence from the Manitoba Choral Association, in recognition for her contributions to the choral community of Manitoba. Beyond teaching, Dorothy has directed Central Manitoba Youth Choir, Eastern Manitoba Youth Choir, Westman Youth Choir, and has worked as a choral clinician in Ontario and across Western Canada. She currently co-directs SonoLux Choir, and sings in a five-member vocal jazz/pop group, Due North Voices. Recently retired from teaching, Dorothy is enjoying working with choirs and choir-loving folks in other capacities. |
Rachel Rensink-Hoff is Associate Professor and Chair of Music at Brock University and Artistic Director of the Avanti Singers. 2014 winner of the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting of the Ontario Arts Council, Rachel and choirs under her direction have been the recipients of numerous honours and awards including the 2015 and 2019 National Choral Competition for Amateur Choirs by Choral Canada and CBC, the 2022 Arts in Education Award with the City of St. Catharines, and the 2024 Faculty of Humanities Award for Excellence in Teaching at Brock University. Rachel is Past Vice-President of Programming for Choral Canada and Past-President of Choirs Ontario, maintaining an active career as adjudicator, clinician, workshop presenter and juror both locally and across Canada. She has served as conductor of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir (2017), the Alberta Youth Choir (2022) and the Ontario Youth Choir (2023) and presents regularly at conferences nationally and internationally.
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Heidi Wood has been an active participant in the Canadian Choral Community for over 30 years as a chorister, soloist, choral conductor, vocal coach, festival organizer, educator, curriculum advisor, adjudicator, and clinician. In her role as a high school choral teacher, Heidi has grown choral programs to include traditional and jazz-focused groups. Choirs under her direction are consistent platinum award recipients at festivals, and her vocal jazz ensembles were featured performers at the Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival in Banff on several occasions. Her traditional choirs have also received recognition over the years, including top honours at the Provincial Festival, and are often invited guests at special events, including singing with Bobby McFerrin, at Juno events, at Calgary Hitmen Hockey games, and many more.
Outside of the classroom, she is a leader among choral directors in the province where she is sought after as a clinician, session presenter, and guest conductor. She has been a member of the Program Advisory Committee at Choir Alberta, organizes choral music initiatives for the Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education (CADME), and is regularly called upon as a consultant for music curriculum design. In addition to her professional affiliations, she has been recognized by her school community with nominations for an Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award (2016), and the Musicounts Canadian Music Teacher of the Year Award (2017 & 2018). Heidi is excited to share and collaborate with educators and students alike. A life-long-learner, she is passionate about peeling back the next layer in teaching and learning about music from many perspectives. |