Introducing: The Esprit Singers
Peggy Alto
Alto
Peggy Alto - Alto
Joined Esprit:
Favourite piece performed by Esprit
Favourite Composer:
Brigitte Baragar
Soprano
Brigitte Baragar - Soprano
Joined Esprit: Original member
Favourite piece performed by Esprit:
Favourite Composer:
Brigitte has been committed to Esprit from the beginning, including while completing her degree in Medicine, She and her husband are enjoying the addition of their first daughter.
Ingrid Baragar
Soprano
Ingrid Baragar - Soprano
Joined Esprit: Original member
Favourite piece performed by Esprit: Spes by Mia Makaroff; Songs of the Universal by Gustav Holst and the most memorable includes the scream in Fire part of Fire by Katerina Gimon
Ingrid has been committed to Esprit from the beginning, including while completing her degree in Medicine, She and her husband are enjoying the addition of their first daughter.
Signy Baragar
Soprano
Signy Baragar - Soprano
Joined Esprit: Original member
Favourite piece performed by Esprit:
Favourite composer:
Soffia Baragar
Soprano
Soffia Baragar - Soprano
Joined Esprit: Original member
Favourite piece performed by Esprit:
Favourite composer:
Elaine Egan
Alto
Elaine Egan - Alto
I had the privilege of joining Esprit Singers for the 2018-2019 season. For many years, I had missed the thrill of singing fine choral music in an ensemble setting and finding Esprit filled that void in an exceptional way! Most of my musical training was on the piano, an instrument I love, but I don’t think I’d want to be one if I had to be an instrument. I think I’d choose to be harp – gentle, elegant and a little unusual!
My career path as a teacher, school administrator and senior administrator formally ended in August 2022. That said, I will always be passionate about children, education and most of all, in supporting everyone who chooses to devote their lives to the education of children in any way. Now that I’m in charge of my own time, I spend as much as possible with my five grandchildren, their parents, and travelling the world with my husband.
Murielle Fontaine
Alto
Murielle Fontaine - Alto
Murielle joined Esprit somewhere around 2016. Who’s counting when you’re having so much fun! A lifelong singer, Murielle was able to return to the stage after an over 25 year absence and Esprit has filled a creative hole that had long been empty. Performing in English, Latin, Norwegian, Spanish, Italian and her native French has added even more joy to her already fulfilled life. Mom to 3 young men, she devotes her time to supporting their ambitions while following her own. At work, she oversees a team of 130 highly skilled colleagues at one of the largest print operations in Manitoba. Her operational expertise is being stretched by learning social media and website maintenance for the Esprit Board of Directors. Her favorite movie is Once, à propos since it’s all about music…and love.
Magdalena Gartman
Alto
Magdalena Gartman - Alto
I learned about it through one of the choristers that I work with, and thought it would be a great opportunity to awaken a long dormant musical practice.
It has been a delight to sing with so many talented women.
I am inspired and get so much satisfaction from the diverse compositions and hearing them come alive with a community of voices.
I am a mother of three wonderful children.
We love to enjoy music together, especially in car sing alongs and in living room dance parties.
My favorite pastime is food. I enjoy everything from growing, sourcing, cooking and especially sharing it.
Ester Hawn
Alto
Ester Hawn - Soprano
Joined Esprit: Original member
Favourite piece performed by Esprit:
Favourite Composer:
Esther is a mom to her son and fur baby, Gideon. She is an Occupational Therapist in neurological rehabilitation. Her favourite concert of the year is the holiday concert.
Judi Heppner
Alto
Judi Heppner - Alto
Musically Judi is an alto, a songwriter, a reasonably good pianist and a very mediocre guitarist. She joined Esprit when she realized she missed singing harmony in a group. She is a social worker with a private therapy practice, a mom of adult kids, and a bit of a coffee snob.
Laurel Howard
Alto
Laurel Howard - Alto
Laurel joined Esprit in January 2018. She is grateful to Valdine for the opportunity and her inspirational leadership. A musician and teacher, Laurel has enjoyed a thriving violin and viola studio for almost four decades. She teaches for Suzuki Winnipeg and also works as a clinician, chamber music coach, adjudicator, and freelance violist. Formerly, she conducted the Winnipeg Youth Strings and has taught for Sistema Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba, and the Winnipeg and Seven Oaks School Divisions. Laurel and her husband, composer David Scott, have two children, Zander and Elena, both of whom are musicians. They all love their cottage on Lake Winnipeg where Laurel is an enthusiastic ( if not especially knowledgeable) birder. She has belonged to the same book club for over 20 years and counts Barbara Kingsolver and Kate Atkinson among her favourite authors. Laurel serves on the Board of the Winnipeg Arts Council.
Kendall Portillo
Alto
Kendall McCuaig - Alto
My name is Kendall Portillo and I’ll be joining the choir as an Alto 1. For years I had the privilege of singing under the tutelage of Valdine’s mother Helga Anderson where I competed in the Winnipeg Music Festival and had the pleasure of singing in choirs that she directed. Since becoming a Mom music has taken a back seat but I am thrilled to be getting back into it by joining this amazing group of women. When not singing around the house I can be found cooking, baking or planning my next vacation. Next up: Aruba.
Cathy Wach Dueck
Alto
Cathy Wach Dueck - Alto
Cathy Wach-Dueck studied voice and piano with Lillian Kushniaryk, attaining an ARCT Performers & Teachers Degree in voice & Grade 9 Piano. She then furthered her voice studies with Orville Derraugh and with Heidi Klassen. She continued her studies in voice with Master Classes in Brandon, Winnipeg and Toronto, as well as studying for 1 year in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Cathy began performing as a soloist at an early age at church functions and through high school with the Daniel McIntyre Collegiate choirs in Winnipeg. She has performed in productions with Rainbow Stage, Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, The Little Opera Company, Manitoba Opera Association, Esprit Singers and Manitoba Underground Opera .
She has been featured in performances for various Ukrainian organizations and festivals throughout Canada and the United States, the most notable being Winnipeg’s Folklorama (Kyiv Pavilion), Vegreville’s Pysanka Festival, Heritage Day at Harbourfront in Toronto, on tour with Orlan Ukrainian Folk Dance ensemble, and with the O. Koshetz Choir.
Cathy lives in Winnipeg while pursuing her career as a soloist and semi-retired private vocal/coach teacher.
Cathy has been a member & held executive positions in a number of music organizations in Winnipeg, including the Junior Musical Club, Wednesday Morning Musicale, the National Association of Teachers of Singing & the Manitoba Registered Music Teachers’ Association. Her latest passion is spending time with her grandchildren, singing songs, playing the piano and reading bedtime stories.
