Jenny Trites
Collaborative Pianist & Composer in Residence
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Pianist, composer, and educator Jennifer Trites studied theory and composition at Memorial University. Since discovering her passion for choral music as a child, she has been a member of many different school and community based choirs including the Memorial University Festival and Chamber Choirs, Choeur Maha, and the Saint Lawrence Choir. Jenny is currently teaching elementary music for the Halifax Regional School Board.
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Jenny has been recognized for her innovative work in both the music and theatre communities of Nova Scotia. In 2013, Jenny was lauded for her large-scale work, The Roaring Girl – a musical adaptation of a 17th Century comedic play. Recently, her choral compositions have won competitions held by the Amadeus choir, the Oriana Women’s Choir, and Atlantic Voices. In addition to singing with Xara Choral Theatre Ensemble, she has served as musical director for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Matthew Downey
Resident Lighting Designer
Originally from St John’s Newfoundland, Matt has been operating as a Designer and Theatre Technician in Halifax for five years. He is a frequent collaborator with Xara Choral Theatre Ensemble, Xara Youth Ensemble, Lions Den Theatre, and The Villain’s Theatre (formerly Vile Passéist Theatre) as a lighting and set designer. He is a recent recipient of both the Wes Daniels Design Award and the Robert Merritt Technician Award. Look out for Matts upcoming technical theatre workshops presented by the Bus Stop Theatre Co-op.
Erin Gaudet
Stage & Personnel Manager,
Xara Choral Theatre Ensemble
In 2008, Erin joined the newly formed Camerata Xara Young Women’s Choir as a singer in the Alto section. Today, she is thrilled to continue working with Xara Choral Theatre Ensemble as Stage Manager. Past involvement in the arts has been an important part of Erin’s life, and she enjoys all aspects of preparing for a performance. In her “other life”, Erin is a middle school teacher in the Annapolis Valley.
