The Middle Grey Variety Series

Julia’s musical journey, which began at the age of five, gave her a strong performing and academic foundation, and eventually led to two Bachelor of Music degrees as well as a Diploma in Jazz Arranging, Composition, and Piano Performance. Julia has served the Greater Toronto, Windsor, and Markdale communities as an educator in ear-training, music theory, and a piano and voice instructor, as well as a music arranger. She is also an established and versatile performer, entertaining at events and outdoor venues in the wider Toronto community, and even shared her talents performing as far away as a conference in Hong Kong. In Markdale, Julia is the owner of a bed and breakfast where she lives with her two children, and teaches piano and voice. Julia combines her talents as co-host and performer in the Middle Grey Arts & Heritage Group’s Variety Series.

Starting life in Montreal, Nelson moved from accordion lessons to the study of classical music, and later adapting himself to popular music. This process has taken him not only across Canada and the world, but across genres and cultures. Nelson admits to performing classical, rock and folk, with an extended ten year teaching career in South Korea, China and Taiwan. He has performed in folk festivals and venues across the country and now does the same closer to his home in Münster, Germany. Nelson travels with acoustic and electric guitars, mouth harp and accordion, any or all of which may appear in his CDs or videos. Music in Middle Grey is delighted to have Nelson performing and co-hosting the first of our Variety Series.

Jesse is a folk musician and songwriter from Owen Sound, who credits his mom and an old guitar at home for his early love of music. His career has led him over the years to work with some of Toronto’s best musicians. Jesse’s storytelling style is informed by his enjoyment of the outdoors, and is reflected in the humour and wit found in his music. He has travelled and performed at festivals and venues with multiple bands across Canada, and continues to write songs. Greg is a former professional songwriter and performer who grew up in Grey County but found his start in music while living in Budapest, Hungary. He toured Canada and Europe, released two EPs and played multiple festivals before deciding to return to a simpler life on his family farm in 2019. In recent years Jesse and Greg have been playing shows together, mostly at small festivals, both musicians and carpenters who play for the love of music.

Rob discovered the joys of the clarinet around age twelve, and subsequently achieved his Bachelor of Music in Performance degree from the University of Toronto. He has been the Principal Clarinet with the Georgian Bay Symphony since 2003, a position that allows him to indulge his passion for music performing as soloist with the orchestra and as an invited soloist with other orchestral companies.  His repertoire includes Aaron Copeland’s Clarinet Concerto and Claude Debussy’s Première Rhapsodie. Robert has studied with clarinet luminaries such as Peter Stoll, Charles Bell and James Campbell, with whom he participated in masterclasses. In 2005 Robert brought together clarinetists from the community to create the Georgian Bay Symphony Clarinet Choir. He is a much admired and sought after performer and educator, teaching clarinet, saxophone and recorder, both in person and remotely. Robert also serves as our region’s enthusiastic representative for the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Venzislav Venkov holds a Masters degree in music, and is a professional jazz bassist with over 25 years of stage experience. His musical expertise encompasses blues, gospel, R & B, swing, Latin, Afro, fusion and jazz, including dance genres like Bossa Nova and Rhumba, but always grounded in the rich language of jazz harmony. Vinnie has performed extensively, collaborating with trios, quartets, sextets and full ‘big bands’. He has been a dedicated teacher, authoring a multi-volume series, Melodic Major Triads, exploring harmony and full bass playing. As a versatile performing musician, he plays contrabass, upright acoustic bass, and 6-string fretted and fretless electric basses. His expressive sound and innovative approach to bass continues to inspire his students and entertain his audience. Middle Grey is honoured to introduce this accomplished artist to our stage!

Marieanna Hill and Martha Rogers are local duet partners with a passion for singing. Their repertoire together includes over 70 duets in various genres, from classical to spirituals, folk to musical theatre. Marieanna and Martha have been singing together for almost a decade.

Emma is excited to be playing the role of Cinderella in Owen Sound Little Theatre’s upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She has been a active member of OSLT since 2017, her last onstage role being Portia in Something Rotten! In April 2024. When she is not volunteering with OSLT, Emma enjoys traveling, photography, and relaxing at home with a good book or video game. Cameron is a performer and visual artist who moved to Grey County in 2015, and he has performed in many productions with Theatre Georgian Bay, Sand Castle Theatre and Owen Sound Little Theatre, where he has played The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and now in the upcoming production of Cinderella as The Prince. Cameron is a practicing massage therapist and owner of his own business.