OUR MUSICIANS
Leah Weitzner, Soprano
Leah Weitzner is a mezzo-soprano, viola da gambist, and researcher dedicated to illuminating unexplored early repertoire and re-interpreting historical performance practices. She is a recent graduate from McGill University holding a Bachelor of Music degree in early music vocal performance. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in Musicology at McGill, with research interests rooted in Renaissance improvisation and oral traditions. Leah is a 2022-23 recipient of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Graduate research grant. She intends to further explore performance practices of ritual devotion among women in 16th-century Italy.
Colleen Bartley - Mezzo-Soprano
Montréal-based mezzo-soprano Colleen Bartley has established an active performance and teaching career. Ms. Bartley is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with students of all ages. She seeks to understand and help individuals develop their own unique voice, and pursue their musical journey. An accomplished recitalist, Ms. Bartley has presented numerous recitals for Christ Church Cathedral's L'Oasis Musicale concert series, alongside pianist Lauretta Altman. Other highlights include a concert for Passiontide with violinist Sara Bohl Pistolesi, and cellist Donald Pistolesi at Congress Hall, St. Patrick's Basilica, where she performed Telemann Cantatas and Robert Fleming's dramatic piece, "The Confession Stone." Most recently, she interpreted the role of Lola in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana under the direction of Johanne Patry. Additionally, Ms. Bartley can be heard singing the National Anthem at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier (Place Des Arts), during all of Concordia University's Convocation ceremonies. A graduate of Concordia University, Ms. Bartley received both her Bachelor’s and Graduate degrees in Classical Voice Performance under the tutelage of Beverly McGuire, and also studied piano with Elizabeth Haughey.
Joseph Grenier - Tenor
Joseph Grenier is a promising young tenor, already active in a variety of styles. Currently studying Early Music Performance at McGill's Schulich School of Music, he is perfecting his vocal technique under the expertise of Dominique Labelle. Coming from a family of musicians, he studied piano and horn in the musique-études program at Vincent d'Indy, at F.A.C.E. School, then voice at Cégep de St-Laurent with Jacqueline Woodley, Marianne Lambert, and Geneviève Lévesque. Joseph has already acquired a rich and varied professional experience that testifies to his interests in classical music, opera, and lyrical creation. This year, he was a professional chorister for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Choeur classique and was also seen and heard in Safia Nolin's production of 'Surveillée et Punie' at Théâtre Prospero for the FTA. Among his notable experiences as a soloist, Joseph participated in workshops of the opera Laporte by André Ristic for Soundstreams and Chants Libres. He was Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Saint-Laurent opera studio, and recently featured in Chants Libres’ Oper’actuel/Works in Progress production. During his studies, his musical excellence was rewarded with various awards, including the Iwan Edwards Scholarship from the F.A.C.E. School.
John Johnston - Bass
John Johnston is a baritone based in Montreal. Originally from Saskatchewan, he sings regularly with l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, l’Opéra de Montréal, and at Shaare Zion Congregation. He has sung song, opera, musical theatre, and contemporary music throughout North America and Europe. In addition to singing, John also works in research administration. He holds degrees in voice from Western University and the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a degree in French from Concordia University. He received additional musical training at the Franz-Schubert-Institut in Baden-bei-Wien, Austria and the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music in Northern California. His undergraduate studies were supported by the Saskatchewan Arts Board, and his graduate research into Yiddish art song by Canadian composers was supported by the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. His current research centres on queer Yiddishkeit before 1939.
John Johnston is a baritone based in Montreal. Originally from Saskatchewan, he sings regularly with l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, l’Opéra de Montréal, and at Shaare Zion Congregation. He has sung song, opera, musical theatre, and contemporary music throughout North America and Europe. In addition to singing, John also works in research administration. He holds degrees in voice from Western University and the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a degree in French from Concordia University. He received additional musical training at the Franz-Schubert-Institut in Baden-bei-Wien, Austria and the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music in Northern California. His undergraduate studies were supported by the Saskatchewan Arts Board, and his graduate research into Yiddish art song by Canadian composers was supported by the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. His current research centres on queer Yiddishkeit before 1939.