ARTISTIC TEAM
Carolyn Boyes
Carolyn Boyes began her tenure with the WBC in 1998. Since that time, WBC ensembles have performed regularly with Winnipeg’s finest professional arts organizations and have been the recipients of numerous accolades and awards at local festivals.
Carolyn’s love for choral music was developed and nurtured from childhood through singing in school and church choirs. It continues to sustain and motivate her in her work with the WBC, her career as a high school Choral Music teacher and in her role as Children’s Chorus Director with Manitoba Opera. Carolyn has taught public school Kindergarten through grade 12 Music and Choir in both French and English and was instructor of Choral Techniques with the University of Manitoba’s Carl Orff Certification Program for many years. She loves opportunities to guest conduct and adjudicate.
In 2009 and 2020, Carolyn was awarded the Winnipeg Music Festival’s Michael Proudfoot Trophy “in recognition of a conductor exemplifying a passion for excellence in choral work”. She has been recognized by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Opera, and the University of Manitoba for her contributions to music education in the province. Carolyn holds a Master of Music (Choral Conducting) from the University of Manitoba.
Albert Bergen
Born and raised in Germany, Albert Bergen grew up in a musically loving family and began playing violin at the age of six. He moved to Manitoba in 2004 to pursue violin studies at the University of Manitoba and in 2009, he graduated with Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees. During his years of study at the U of M, he won the Concerto and Genser competitions.
Beside his great passion for the art of violin, Albert is passionate about choral music. He established and currently leads a choir program at his church. He directs award-winning choirs at Mitchell Elementary School, where he also teaches classroom music and violin. He enjoys guest conducting and working as a choral clinician throughout the province and teaches private violin lessons at his home studio.
In 2019, Albert joined the artistic staff of Winnipeg Boys’ Choir as Co-Conductor of the Treble Choruses. He is currently working towards his Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance (Violin) at the University of Manitoba.
Albert and his wife Elly live and raise their family of five children in Kleefeld, Manitoba.
Spencer Duncanson
Spencer Duncanson has been active in the Manitoba Arts scene as a singer, actor (stage/film), clinician, and arts administrator. His initial calling was to arts education, an interest that still percolates and influences his involvements.
He is the founder of The Little Opera Company, a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the production of operatic entertainment of high quality and broad accessibility. The organization also serves as a venue for local artists to profile and promote their talents.
He coordinated fine art, band, choral music, dance and drama programs for Sisler High School as its Visual and Performing Arts Department Head, served as a sessional arts instructor at the University of Manitoba and taught voice at the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts.
Spencer holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum/Arts Education and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in School Counseling from the University of Manitoba. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Music Education from Brooklyn College in New York and studied vocal performance at the University of Nevada-Reno.
Spencer’s primary focusses these days are centered around his responsibilities as Artistic Director of The Little Opera Company, conducting the Senior Chorus of The Winnipeg Boys’ Choir, and teaching in his private studio along with a variety of committee work.
Megan Dufrat
Since completing her Master of Music in Collaborative Piano at the Desautels Faculty of Music, Megan Dufrat has established herself as a sought-after collaborative pianist and educator in Winnipeg.
In addition to her work as choral, vocal and instrumental collaborator, Megan is a vocal coach and collaborative pianist at the Desautels Faculty of Music. Megan has represented Manitoba at the CFMTA National Piano Competition, was the inaugural recipient of the Dorothy Lother Award for her work as a collaborative pianist and has been a prize winner in the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg annual scholarship auditions.
A passionate music educator, Megan has studied Suzuki Piano Pedagogy and has presented her research on introducing young pianists to collaborative piano and the role of culture and community in arts education at conferences throughout North America. Megan is currently completing a degree in Psychology and is active in her community as a volunteer with the United Way of Winnipeg.
Deena Grier
During their undergraduate studies as a soloist, Canadian pianist Deena Grier (they/she) was introduced to the world of collaborative piano and began to focus on working with singers in particular, igniting a passion within them for poetry and exploring other languages.
Deena completed her graduate studies as an Opera Major at The Boston Conservatory in 2015, serving as rehearsal pianist for productions including Janaček’s Cunning Little Vixen and Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and joining the orchestra pit as harpsichordist for Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri.
Since returning to Winnipeg, Deena has had the pleasure of exploring multiple music roles, including that of music director (premiering Michael McKay’s The Confused Castrato with Little Opera Company), conductor (conducting & performing Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea with Manitoba Underground Opera), stage manager & vocal coach for the Opera Theatre Ensemble at the University of Manitoba, and pianist for multiple choral performances and ensembles within the city.
This fall, Deena proudly continues their work with the Winnipeg Boys' Choir for the choir's 100th season, as well as joining the UofM Desautels Faculty of Music for upcoming productions in their brand new on-campus performance space, the Desautels Concert Hall.
Lisa Rumpel
Praised for her "fierce artistry” and “poetic” pianism, Winnipeg-based “powerhouse” pianist and vocal coach Lisa Rumpel is an active member of Manitoba’s arts scene. Lisa’s vibrant and varied freelance career has included performances with many of Manitoba’s leading arts organizations and operatic vocalists. Equally comfortable as a coach and collaborator in solo piano, song, opera, chamber music, and choral music, Lisa brings her sparkling personality, focus, and enthusiasm to every project she undertakes.
Lisa has been teaching piano and theory at the Winnipeg Conservatory of Music since 2021, and served as a vocal coach at the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music from 2015-2023. She has adjudicated at community music festivals throughout Manitoba since 2019. Alongside her performing and teaching schedule, Lisa is General Manager of Flipside Opera & Art Song Collective, sits on the board of The Little Opera Company, and has played for the Winnipeg Boys’ Choir since 2014.
In her spare time, Lisa loves taking walks and bike rides by the river with her husband Tom and their beautiful daughter, Sadie.
