Meadows of Aurora Benevolence Fund Concert Performers

Maria Jacobsson graduated from Örebro University in Sweden in 2008 with the degree of Master of Music Education in Harp and Piano, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

She majored in classical piano and harp but devotes herself mainly to the harp. Maria had the opportunity to study in the harp performance program with acclaimed Harpist, Judy Loman, full-time at the University of Toronto. In Sweden Maria performed extensively as a soloist, in chamber music ensembles, and with various orchestras. During her studies, Maria received many awards and scholarships such as the Anna Thadeus award from Örebro University, and the Ragnild Frykbergs scholarship.

Maria now lives in the Toronto area and is enjoying a career as a much sought after freelance musician. Maria has performed at many receptions and events in the most prestigious Toronto Hotels, Event Centres and the Grand Opening of the King’s Christian Theatre in Oakville Ontario. Maria has recorded with the Juno Nominated and 2010 Canadian Folk Group of the Year Dala . Maria’s harp playing can be heard on the album ‘Everyone is Someone’ on the song Compass. Maria also performed on a number of Television Specials including the National TV show ‘The Heart of the Matter’ that aired in April 2011.

Andrew Ball is a Toronto based performer/musician and a graduate of York University. He has performed in many musical stage productions taking roles such as Roger in ‘Rent’ (Lower Ossington Theatre), Joseph in ‘Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat’ (Al Green Theatre) and Stage West Calgary’s hit music review ’80’s Solid Gold’. Andrew has performed internationally, including China, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates with Creativiva Inc., and has been on tour performing in Nickelodeon’s ‘Paw Patrol Live’ show in Canada, France, and South Africa. He also thoroughly enjoys teaching piano and voice to students of all ages.

Sarah Amelard, soprano, holds her master’s degree in music from the Opera School at the University of Toronto. A freelance singer since 2018, Sarah works as a professional musician in various musical settings. She has performed across Canada, Italy and the United States.

Sarah frequently sings at fine dining establishments, notably Massimo Bruno Events and the Rhubarb. She also sings throughout York Region at senior residence centers, private events and other services. She was commissioned by the Markham Arts Council to prepare, perform, and record an online concert to share the genre of opera with the local community during the pandemic in 2020 and in 2022 she was commissioned with Andrew Ball to record an online Christmas Concert.

Some roles performed are Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Rosmene in Handel’s Imeneo, Cupidon in Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers, Maria Callas in a student composed premiere performance of Prima Zombie, Mahigan, in the Canadian opera Giiwedin, as well as Nella in Gianni Schicchi, Fire in L’enfant et les sortileges and the sharp-eared Vixen in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. 

Sarah is an avid music teacher. As the owner of Sarah’s Singing Studio, she also facilitates performances and recitals for her students to share their songs with the community. 

Leon Racine is a lifelong multi-instrument musician and retired music teacher. He spent his career performing in Montreal and cities across Southern Ontario. He started with the elegant keystrokes of the piano, but his musical curiosity led him to the bass, violin, clarinet, saxophone, flute, trumpet, and trombone.

Leon has performed with seemingly every big band in Southern Ontario, and more recently he has found new homes with the Advocats and Unionville Theatre Company’s Into the Woods.

Alisha Grassby is a new Talent in our community. Alisha was recently awarded the Gold Medal for Level One Voice by the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She scored the highest mark in Ontario in her Vocal Exams.

Alisha studies vocal music under the tutelage of Sarah Amelard and has begun her performance career at a variety of Community concerts and Specials including the Exhibition of Excellence Concert for Gold Medal winners at the Royal Conservatory of Music in January 2023.

Alisha is also studying and excelling in Irish Dance.

Lily Jones, soprano, is a 15-year-old musician studying under soprano Sarah Amelard. Lily is currently attending the Arts Unionville vocal program at Unionville Highschool. She has experience singing both classical voice and musical theatre and has always loved to sing. Her credits include Duffy in the Lower Ossington Theatre’s production of Annie (2016), and a member of the child ensemble in the LOT’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Lily has won many competitions, both locally and provincially. Notably, Lily was awarded the National Gold Medal for her Level 5 RCM Voice exam, signifying her grade as the highest for her level in Canada in 2023. She is currently a Level 7 Voice Royal Conservatory of Music candidate. Lily participates in many vocal festivals and competitions throughout the year and enjoys collaborating with other passionate, young artists.

Sawyer, Alisha, and Poppy are a trio of dancers who specialize in Irish Dance, Tap and Jazz and are here to bring some youthful dance energy to our show tonight. Enjoy!