Songbird Voice Studio

While my Songbird Voice Studio afterschool lesson times are quite full for the 2026-27 academic year I do have some remaining spots in my homeschooling schedule.

There is no pressure to compete or perform but rather to allow your child to grow their love of music in a safe and supportive environment!

Mignon Dunn was one of the most treasured women I have had the pleasure of knowing in my life. I heard about her passing at my son’s baseball game Sunday morning and it has taken me two days to pull myself together to write about her. I am blessed to say that she was my mentor and singing teacher.

I had the absolute privilege of learning from her for three years when I was in New York studying voice. She was a strong, intelligent, loving and “say it like it is” type of woman. She pushed me to find my confidence and I will cherish my memories of her forever.
My daughter is actually named Tēadora because of her. In an opera performance class of hers at the Manhattan School of Music a colleague of mine went up to sing and introduced herself as Theodora.. but very timidly. Mignon, in her usual way since she couldn’t hear her, said “Girl, what is your name?”, to which the young performer replied a bit louder “Theodora”. Mignon, without missing a beat said, “Girl, with a name like Theodora say it proudly”. I instantly thought to myself I’m going to name my daughter that.

I have kept in touch with her through the years sending her pictures of my kids and talking to her most recently about a student of mine whose voice I just knew she’d love. I told her that I would
love to get her to sing for her(if the distance wasn’t so great) and she simply replied “she’s in great hands with you as her teacher”. Those words meant so much to me.

I can think of quite a few laughs we shared but my two favourites were when I had lost “a little too much” weight and she was so angry that I wasn’t supposed to be “that thin” with a voice my size (she was right!). After a performance at a summer program where I definitely proved that correct she brought me back to her hotel room and made me pasta with tons of butter on it to fatten me back up. lol She spent that summer program feeding me all sorts of treats to get me back into what she called singing shape not model shape.

Another time during a lesson she asked me “who did your nose?”, to which I had zero clue what she was talking about. I still think to this day she thought I had a nose job. She was so complimentary to me and showered me with the kind of words that shaped me into the kind of person I am. She built me up in a city that felt so competitive and at times overwhelming. To have someone like her believe in you is something I will always treasure.

Songbird Voice Studio is here today because of her. This July I’m heading to the Canada West Arts Festival with that same student I called her about Eva Simpson and in a beautiful tribute we’ve been using Mignon’s soprano anthology with her handwriting throughout to prep her aria.

Thank you for sharing your love of music and your gorgeous voice with all of us who had the opportunity to know you. You will be missed beyond measure but your voice, words and teachings live on in all of us and our future students.

Songbird Voice Studio’s “Songbirds” proudly present a recital of their favourite musical theatre and classical song selections.

Please join us on Sunday, June 21st at the Knox United Church in Parksville.

“VOICES IN BLOOM: An Afternoon of Musical Theatre and Classical Song”

Tickets available online or at the door:

https://songbirdvoice.ticketowl.io/events/168195

Who would have known that this first picture from ECHO Players last December of my three students Eva Simpson Ethan Liedl and Balcarras would end up being a picture of me with my three Performing Arts BC winners 🥇 🥈 🥉 from last week!
I am SO proud of my “Songbirds” and the entire group of 9 REPS our studio had this year. They were all so amazing and represented our studio with such talent and kindness!
Congrats to all of my other student REPS (ages 10-18)who also attended and performed so beautifully: Gus Burgener, Lina Janeski, Carys Friesen, Lavender Medd, Poppy Williams, and July Bugg.
A big Thank you to Erik Musseau who played the piano so beautifully for us!
Congrats to my lovely colleagues Jennifer Kelly and Patricia Plumley whose students were incredible. What a great feeling to be working alongside you both in this community! You are an inspiration!

Congratulations to all of our ECHO Players youth performers for their incredible work at the Performing Arts BC.
Mid Island Performing Arts Festival was definitely represented well.
I am so proud of my colleagues and our students!

Congratulations to all of the music and acting students who attended Prince George for the BC Provincial Performing Arts Festival. Many of these talented performers are also ECHO Youth members.

A special congratulations to Molly Perkins who placed first in Senior Classical Voice and received an Honourable Mention in Vocal Variety. Molly and her teacher, Patricia Plumley will travel to Edmonton this July to attend the Canada West Performing Arts Festival, where Molly will proudly represent British Columbia.

Teacher Lindsey Tromba is very proud of Eva Simpson receiving an Honourable Mention in Intermediate Classical Voice, Rowan Balcarras, Runner-Up in Intermediate Vocal Variety, and Ethan Liedl who placed first in Senior Vocal Variety.

Teacher Jennifer Kelly is also extremely proud of Ava Tyndall who placed first in Junior Shakespeare and Tatum Parry who placed second in Intermediate Shakespeare.

A huge congratulations to all of these students for their outstanding achievements. We also extend our appreciation to the teachers and families who supported them throughout their journey.