Born Violet McNaughton. June 13, 1873, Hamilton, Ontario.  Died May 11, 1953, New York, New York, U.S.A. Jean studied acting in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Most of her life she was a stage actor traveling with local stock companies and also appearing on the vaudeville in one-act plays. In 1922 she had a starring role in the comedy hit, It's a Boy. She was seldom out of work after this performance. Later in life she appeared in numerous films in the 1940’s working with such greats as Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor. Perhaps she is best remembered as one of the sweet, but murderous, aunts in  the film Arsenic and Old Lace in 1944. It was a role that she had originated on Broadway. In the early 1950's she would appear in some minor television roles. (2018)

Born August 5, 1894, Montreal, Quebec. Died March 31, 1942, Victoria, British Columbia. Marguerite organized the Montreal amateur dramatic group which would come to be known as the Montreal Repertory Theatre and would become one of the most successful amateur dramatic groups in Canada. In 1935 she received the Canadian Drama Award for outstanding service in the development of the Canadian theatre. At the annual Dominion Drama Festival the Martha Allan Trophy is awarded in her memory for the best visual performance. She also wrote three plays: What Fools We Mortals Be: All of a Summer's Day; and Summer Solstice. Source: Early Canadian Women Writers, Online (accessed 2021) Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2021)

Born June 9, 1863, Victoria, British Columbia. Died September 13, 1949, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. For almost a decade Ricca performed as a dancer in the Nance O'Neil company which performed in the 1880's and 1890's throughout the U.S.A. She moved on to perform on Broadway in the early 1900's and her last Broadway show was called Blind Alleys in 1924. It was in the 1920's that she headed up her own company of performers. Between 1913 and 1941 she appeared in more than 50 movies. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2006)

Born February 1920, Manchester, England. Died May 13, 2012, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Mae was a shy child but family soon coaxed her to sing and dance and she even began to appear in local productions. A student in fashion design at the beginning of World War ll she worked in an aircraft factory and then became a Red Cross Nurse eventually meeting and marring a young Canadian forces man, Frank Ames (died 1979). In 1946 she and her infant daughter were aboard the Queen Mary on their way to Canada with other war brides and 750 babies!!! The family moved to Prince Edward Island in 1961 and Mae became involved actively in the Charlottetown Little Theatre. When Frank was next posted to Halifax Mae retained her interest in Theatre in Halifax and also taught at the Ladies College. In 1979 with the death of her husband, Mae moved back to PEI to be close to her daughter and reunited with the Theatre. She eventually active with a seniors theatric group, The Venerables, touring group traveling across Canada to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, farther west to Victoria and even to New York City. She also appeared on the TV Series: Emilie of New Moon. She was well known not only as an actress but as a story teller and drama teacher. On Remembrance Day she recounted stories of England during the Blitz. Having served as a military nurse, she saw first hand the heavy too plaid by those who served in the cause of freedom.  Source: Making History: a Celebration of Prince Edward Island Women of the 20th Century. Compiled by the Zonta Club of Charlottetown, 2000.; Obituary (accessed 2021); not on Find a Grave 2024

 Born April 3, 1876, Ottawa, Ontario.  Died January 7, 1958, Toronto, Ontario. Margaret was actually born in the Houses of Parliament Speaker’s Chambers. Her father Timothy Warren Anglin (1822-1986) was, at that time, Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons. A strong willed individual she headed for a career in acting in New York City in the 1890’s much against the wishes of her family. In 1894 she graduated from the Empire School of Dramatic Acting. By 1896 she was touring on stage in the U.S.A. and Canada. By 1905 she had earned wide recognition for her dramatic skills and was invited to work with the renowned Sarah Bernhardt. In 1911 she married a colleague Howard Hill who had little reputable acting talent. By 1913 she was appearing in Shakespearian performances of her own acting group. When her husband did not receive roles she was absent from the stage for many years. She did return to the stage however with her last Broadway appearance was in 1936. The Encyclopedia Britannica called her one of the most brilliant actresses of her era. In 1989 John Levay published: Margaret Anglin: A Stage Life.  Sources: The Canadian Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2000.): Encyclopedia Britannica Online. (accessed 2000).

née Ida Lewis. Born May 3, 1869, Hamilton, Ontario. Died March 28, 1950, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Julia chose her stage name for her acting career from her mother's family name.  As a youth of 11 she played in some amateur theatricals in her home. She had her stage debut at the age of 14 in the United States performing in Shakespearian plays with the Bandmann traveling theatre. After three seasons she was off to Berlin to study the violin but soon changed to voice and theatre. In 1895 she went to act in London, England. having secured an engagement at the Lyceum Theatre.  Back in North America after her European tour she accepted a position with a company in California, U.S.A.  and eventually headed to New York City, U.S.A. and toured the eastern coast. In 1889 and 1890 she was back to stages in Canada. After more time in the United States she was back with success appearances in London England  and while with the Lyceum Company she earned an international status. In the summer of 1897 she returned to the U.S. as the star of her own company financed by her brother and the wealthy Bostonian Benjamin Cheney. She married Benjamin Pearce Cheney on February 23, 1898 and took a few years reprieve from the stage. In 1914 she returned to the stage doing a benefit performance at the Boston Theater for the European Actor's Relief Fund. In 1924 she had a very successful tour of her beloved Canada. As well as her stage appearances she was the star of such movies as Napoleon, The Man of Destiny and Uncle Tom's Cabin. Source: At home and Abroad: The Acting Career of Julia Arthur by Denis Salter, University of New Brunswick Library, Online  (accessed 2021)

née Girard. Born December 15, 1896, Toronto, Ontario. Died June 14, 1976, Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.A.. After primary school in Toronto Margaret attended Mount Saint Vincent Academy, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She and her family relocated to England at the out break of World War l in 1914. She began her stage career in 1915. She went on to appear in several silent English comedy movies. She married London producer Anthony Prinsep and then Actor Pat Somerset.  In 1925 a nervous breakdown force her to lay aside her career. She toured Australia and New Zealand in 1928 prior to returning to theatre in London. She relocated to the U.S.A. in the 1930's and attempted to break into American films. She did appear in films until 1947 when she decided to return to the stage where she worked until 1963.In 1940 she appeared in Toronto's Royal Alex Theatre and was in Toronto again for a role in My Fair Lady in November 1963. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2014); Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

Died November 1, 1912. A prominent stage actor who debuted on stage in 1902 and achieved "star" quality by 1905. She had great success in 1908 in New York with the Blue Mouse. By 1911 she was forced to retire from the stage because of serious ill health. (2021)

née Eva Maud Farrance. Born April 21, 1882, Toronto, Ontario. Died November 1, 1912, Toronto, Ontario. Mabel worked for a Toronto publishing house but soon left for life on the stage. Mabel was a singer and stage actress. While still in her teens she joined a musical stage chorus. She performed in vaudeville on Broadway with Weber and Fields Company of New York, U.S.A. In 1903 she appeared Babes in Toyland. Her life saw her with a multitude of health problems. She married Joseph 'Joe' Edgar Howard (1878-1961), an actor and song writer, on October 9, 1906 in Indiana, U.S.A. Source: Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2022) 

Born April 22, 1939, Bois-Columbes, France. Died December 29, 2013, Montreal, Quebec. Catherine and her family escaped from France during World War ll (1939-1945) and settled in Montreal in August 1941. She graduated from the Montreal Conservatory of Dramatic Art in 1959. Her stage appearances encompassed more than 100 roles and she won a Masque award for Best Female Performance in a Supporting Role  playing Madame Rose  in La vie devant soi. With Société Radio Canada she has performed in 30 téléplays and 20 téléromans. She has also appeared in numerous movies including one of her las performances at Mamy Rose in Laurence Anyways. For some 20 yeas she was a theatre instructor at Collège Lionel-Groulx. From 1986 to 1990 she was spokesperson for the World Coalition of Arts and Cultural Affairs and at the same time  chaired the Quebec Council of Theatre. From 1999 to 2003 she chaired the Académie Québecoise du théâtre. Her papers are maintained in the Bibliothéque et archives nationales du Québec. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

Born October 28, 1889, Nicolet, Quebec. Died August 26, 1975, Montreal, Quebec. At the age of ten, Juliette performed with the acting group called Soirées de famille. Two years later she was performing at the Théâtre national. She studied at the Académie Marchand but soon returned to being on stage. By 1911 she was working with the group Conservatoire Lasalle and Nationascope. In 1916 she married and there was a decline in the number of her performances. She had a fine voice and in 1920 she was signing with the Starr Label. During the 1920's she would appear in some 100 plays with the Théâtre national. In 1935 she debuted on radio on C K A C.  From 1937 though until 1959 she was a cast member of Rue principale and also was a cast member of Un homme et son péché on Radio Canada. For three years beginning in 1947 she had her own radio show, Le Programme Juliette Béiveau. In 1949 she made her movie debut in Un homme et son péché and in the early 1950 landed numerous movie roles. Returning to the stage in 1956 and appeared on stage and on television until her death. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2022); I M D B, Online (accessed 2022)

née Loranger. Born March 2, 1923, Saint-Pacome, Quebec. Died August 10, 2001, Montreal, Quebec. In her early thirties, Françoise worked as a telephone operator at Bell Canada in Trois-Riviéres. Returning from a trip to Europe she transferred to work in Montreal in order to study theatre arts. She produced a few plays at the L'Ecole des beaux arts. In 1959 she founded L'Egrégore, a theatre which would run though to 1965. Admission to the theatre was always a free will donation. It was at this time she changed her name to Berd so as to avoid confusion with a well known playwright Françoise Loranger. In 1960 her theatre earned the first prize from the Congress du spectacle. She left the Theatre in 1965 and a year later it folded. She would return to Europe and began relationships in the film industry and even managed to score a small role in film. Returing to Quebec she worked for a time as a waitress in a restaurant before gaining a position as a 'script girl' moving up to assistant director and once again found herself in front of the camera in a small role. She would also gain a role in Claude Jutras' (1930-1986) film, Kamouraska. In all she would find work in twelve films. In 1976 she returned to stage at the Théâtre du nouveau monde. While gaining acting roles she also worked as a director of independent films with the National Film Board of Canada 1974-1983. She is considered a pioneer of Quebec théâtre. The Prix de L'Egreegore is presented annually to the winner of the Concours intercollégial d'écriture dramatique. The Françoise-Berd Grant is awarded by the Centre des auteurs dramatiques to the author of an unpublished text. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

née Hélène Olivine Veilleux. Born April 3, 1911, St. Georges, Quebec. Died September 20, 1956, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Nanette moved with her family to New York City, U.S.A. in the 1930’s and she began to audition for theater work. In 1938 she did a screen test for Hal Roach Studios and won a role over 50 other actors. She had several small roles in the 1940’s using the stage name Francine Bordeaux. In 1949 she was hired by Columbia Pictures where she began appearing with the famous comedians, the Three Stooges. Since she had a natural French accent when was often cast as Fifi in these films. She also learned to mask her accent to be more American for additional roles. Source: The Three Stooges Online Filmography, online, (accessed 2021) Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2021)

Born June 18, 1911, Cardigan, Wales, United Kingdom. Died November 4, 1994, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Evelyn left her native Wales to do theatre in London, England, attending the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and later, while working in a touring theatre, and the Old Vic Shakespearean Company. In the early 1930 she married Robert Speaight (1904-1976) but the marriage dissolved in divorce by the end of the decade. The couple had one son. Returning to Wales she founded the Welsh National Theatre Company serving as its director from 1933 through 1936. In 1939 she married Frank O'Connor and Irish writer (real name Michael O'Donovan) and the couple lived in Ireland and had three sons prior to their divorce in 1952. She immigrated to Canada in 1956 and found work in Montreal, Quebec, acting and writing. It would however be Nova Scotia that she chose to live. In 1967 she was appointed Artistic Advisor for the Nova Scotia Centennial Celebration and worked as Director of Drama at . She organized and directed the first all Negro drama group in Canada. She wrote plays, directed, and taught drama to the youth of her chosen home province. Source: Great Dames, edited by Elspeth Cameron and Janice Dickin, [Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1997].

Born 1940, Port Antonio, Jamaica. Died January 31, 2024, Toronto, Ontario. Carol began singing as a teen with 'The Loving Sisters Duo' at 14. She immigrated to Canada in 1972 but returned to perform with 'The Young Experience', throughout the Caribbean. She married fellow performer Jackie Mitoo and the couple had one child. They helped the Toronto Group The Human Rights with their self-titled album. Her more than three decade solo career saw her perform not only in Toronto, but in Montreal, New York, U.S.A., and England. The Canadian Reggae Music Awards often named her as top Female Performer and Tope Reggae Singer in the 1980's and 1990's. In 2019 she was honoured as one of the Titans of Toronto Reggae. One of her las performances was on stage with Bob Marley during Black History Month in 2013.  Source: Canada Black Music Archives, Online (accessed 2024); Reggae Singer Carol Brown Dies, The Gleaner, Pg. 11 February 15, 2024, Online (accessed 2025)

Born 1910 (?) Died February 1, 1988, Vancouver , British Columbia. A stage and radio actress she created Vancouver’s Theatre Under the Stars. Doris began her stage career by reading lines with her actor husband Bill Buckingham. Through the 1940’s and 1950’s the group saw her in more than 50 productions. She also worked in CBC productions. Along with her husband the pair were known as Mr. and Mrs. Theatre. They had one son. As well as theatre in the 1950's she appeared in many early live C B C television broadcasts.  The couple was honoured in the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame Starwalk at the Orpheum which honours BC residents who have made outstanding contributions to entertainment on the local, national and international scene. Source: BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, (accessed 2021)

née Horn. Born 1826? Ireland. Died September 10. 1896, Montreal, Quebec. Kate made her stage debut in Charleston South Carolina, U.S.A.. In 1841 she acting in New York City, U.S.A. where she had her 1st breakthrough on March 24, 1845 at the Park Theatre. She married John Wellington Buckland (  -1872) a theatre manager in 1862. John accepted a position as director of the new Royal Theatre in Montreal where he worked with English language productions. Kate spent time in productions in Montreal and New York City. After the death of her husband, Kate assumed control of the management of the theatre in Montreal and served there until 1879-80. She continued her interest id theatre life until her death in Montreal.  She was considered a popular and accomplished actor. Source: D C B, Online

Born September 14, 1933, Melbourne, Australia. Died February 16, 2020, Pond Ridge, New York, U.S.A. Zoe's mother often took her children to the Elizabethan Theatre in neighbouring Richmond to see productions and even go backstage and see rehearsals. Zoe began her own theatre career in the 1950's appearing in the Union Theatre Repertory Company which became the Melbourne Theatre Company. Relocating to England she worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company appearing in 1959 in Othello. Relocating once again, this time to the U.S.A. she worked at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she played Ophelia in Hamlet. In New York City she worked on Broadway earning four Tony Awards over the next four decades for her work in Slapstick Tragedy, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Medea, and Master Class. She would appear at the famous Stratford Theatre in Ontario in several pays including Anthony and Cleopatra opposite Canadian actor Christopher Plumber (1929-2021) in 1967. In 1968 she married Canadian Robert Whitehead (1916-2002) and the couple had three children. In 1970 she was induced an Officer into the Order of the British Empire. Still appearing in Shakespeare's works she also worked at the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.A. where by the mid 1980's she was an Artistic Director. She also is credited with multiple movie roles working with Woody Allen and did voice over roles in Disney's Lilo & Stitch. In 2002 she published her autobiography, I Will be Cleopatra: An Actress's Journey.  In her later years she was inflicted with Parkinson's disease. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2024).

Born 1923, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland. Died September 3, 2014, Stratford, Ontario. In the early 1960's Joyce toured with the Canadian Players and joined the Stratford Festival in 1968 where she would appear for nineteen seasons. She would so appear for ten years at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. She performed on stages across the country including Theatre Passe Muraille, Tarragon Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, citadel Theatre, Centaur Theatre, alberta Theatre Projects, Theatre New Brunswick, and River Run Centre in Guelph, Ontario. She received a Gemini Award nomination for her work in the Canadian tv series Street Legal which ran from 1987-1994. She made her last stage appearance when she was 86 in Chekhov's Three Sisters at the Stratford Theatre. She earned the Dora Mavor Moore Award for her role in Michel Tremblay's Bonjour, la, bonjour. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2024): Obituary, Online (accessed 2024)

Born November 14, 1912, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died June 12, 2001, Victoria, British Columbia. Peggy was living in California, U.S.A. with her family when she appeared in several silent films, usually unaccredited, from 1915 to the 1920's and was one of the child stars of the early Our Gang films. These films were released in 1922. The family returned to Canada as their father felt they would receive a better education. In 1927 she and her mother travelled to Great Britain where she worked on stage at the St. Martin's Theatre. In 1931 she was again filming in movies and in 1932 performed in the British drama Hindle Wakes, her final movie. She would relocate to New York City, U.S.A.  where she married comedian Phil Baker (1896-1963) in 1932  and the couple had nine children. Divorced in 1941, Peggy married actor William 'Bill' Walker ((1896-1992) in 1962. Once her children were grown she took a job as a secretary. In 2000 she made an appearance at the 12th International Sons of the Desert Convention. Source: Find a Grave, Online, (accessed 2022)

Born 1926, England. Died September 12, 2015, Bagnols-en-Foret, France. As a child during World War ll (19391945) she was one of almost 8,000 British children evacuated to Canada for safety from German attacks on England. She retured to England and family after the war and would attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her acting career began with working with the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre company at Stratford-upon -Avon, England. In the mid 1950's she worked in radio, television and children's theatre in London, England.  In 1956, along with her partner Jean Roberts, immigrated to Canada and settled at first in Calgary, Alberta and then in Toronto, Ontario. She worked on stage with the Canadian Players and would become a director for all the major theater companied in Canada such as the Stratford Festival, the Shaw Festival, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, the Young People's Theatre, Crest Theatre, and the Neptune Theatre. In 1959 she co-founded the Red Barn Theatre at Jackson's Point, Ontario. The company moved to Toronto in 1962. In 1966 she appeared in the C B C's first film production, The Paper People. In 1969 she was a regional adjudicator of the Dominion Dram Festival and worked with the bilingual Theatre Festival in New Brunswick. She would work with Jean as co-artistic directors of the Canadian Players and the National Arts Centre. She enjoyed teacher her craft at the National Theatre School and with the George Brown College in Toronto. Source: Obituary, online (accessed 2024);  Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia, online (accessed 2024)

Born June 18, 1952, Eastman, Quebec. Shirley would grow up in Northern Ontario spending time  on trap lines with her family. At the age of nine she was taken away to Shigwauk Residential School (now Algoma University) where she experienced violence and abuse.  She left school at 15 and suffered with substance abuses which eventually she overcame. She began to work in theatre and film exploring themes of healing and  post trauma survival. She attended art classes at the Manitou Arts Foundation in the summer of 1966.  In 1991 her semi autobiographical play Path With No Moccasins was produced.  She founded a children's theatre De-Ba-jeh-mujig Theatre where she not only acted but was artistic director, administrator and playwright. Shirley is the 1st First Nations woman to "write, produce, direct, and act in a feature length film from Canada. She is the co-owner with Blake Debassige of Kasheese Studios art Gallery. She is also president of Spoken Song Film Production Company. She is the founder of Weengushk Film Institute on Manitoulin Island, Ontario where she trans, develops and guides independent filmmakers. Shirley is also a well know artist and her art has been exhibited around the world. She had produced Christmas Cards for UNICEF, had commissioned worked completed for Amnesty International , the Ontario Native Women's  Association and for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. In February 2008 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. In 2012 she received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award. The TV series Medicine Woman is directed by Shirley. She was inducted a member of the Order of Canada November 19, 2018. (2021)

née Coghill. Born May 13, 1926, Findlater, Saskatchewan. Died January 20, 2017, Vancouver, British Columbia. Some of Joy's early education occurred in Scotland and then after immigrating to Canada, at Kitsilano High School in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 1949 Joy earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and followed this in 1951 with a Master of Fine Art from the Art Institute of Chicago, U.S.A. In 1953 she and Myra Benson founded Canada’s first professional touring children’s theater called Holiday Theatre. She would marry John Thorne, a producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the couple had three children. Joy enjoyed writing and her best play was The Song of This Place about Emily Carr. Joy acted on stage and in several Canadian television shows. She earned four Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards for her work including Outstanding Performance by and actress in a leading role in 1991. In 1994 she founded the Western Gold Theatre Company in Vancouver. She earned a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, the Gemini Humanitarian Award, the Dominion Drama Festival acting award and a Canadian drama award. On October 25, 1990, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada  Source: Remembering Joy Coghill: Doyenne of Vancouver's theatre scene, by Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail, February 3, 2017

Born 1928, Trinidad & Tobago. Vera grew up in Trinidad and then traveled on scholarship to England to train as a nurse. She returned to Trinidad in 1955 and worked at San Fernando General Hospital. In 1960 she had settled in Toronto, Ontario working at the Toronto General Hospital as a Registered Nurse. Not wanting to continue in nursing she took a job with the C B C and took courses at Ryerson University (now Metropolitan Toronto, University). Finances drove her back to nursing. By 1962 she had become interested in acting working with Studio Lab and Toronto Workshop Productions. There was not much opportunity for young Black actors so Vera founded Black Theatre Canada (B T C) in 1973. This B T C  would train and help launch career of Black performers and artists in North America until 1988 when lack of funding forced closure. The B T C produced many well received shows including the first Canadian production of Raisin in the Sun in 1978. Jean also wrote and produced The Story of Mary Ann Shadd. In 1977 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth ll Silver Jubilee Medal. The B T C musical about the Ontario Underground Railroad, One More Stop on the Freedom Train produced in 1984 went on to tour the province and played at Expo 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Jean herself went on to appear in various television shows over the next decades. She also received the  African-Canadian Achievement Award in Arts and Entertainment, the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Association of Black Women and the Caribbean Cultural Achievement Award. Source: Some Black Women by Rella Braithwaite and Tessa Benn-Ireland. Toronto: Sister Vision Press, 1993.

Born July 26, 1920, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. Died March 27, 2002, Victoria, British Columbia. As a child Dorothy moved with her family to British Columbia. At the age of 18, Dorothy received a Licentiateship in Speech Arts and Drama from Trinity College of Music, London, England. Ten years later, she was named a Fellow of that College. Also while in her teens, she became secretary to Major William Bullock-Webster, superintendent of schools in British Columbia and an ardent supporter of school drama. In her position, Dorothy was instrumental in the foundation of the British Columbia Drama Association (now Theatre BC). She played “Mary” on The Carson Family C B C radio serial 1947-65 and other radio and TV roles through 1984. She was an original member, Totem and Everyman Theatres. She earned an award as Best Director in the 1955 Dominion Drama Festival. She was the first recipient, Jessie Richardson Award for Lifetime Achievement. She also won the Sam Payne Award for developing young talent. She was a  charter member of the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 1988 Dorothy and her husband moved to Victoria, where she produced a CD of nonsense poems called The Other Day ..., performed by herself, with musical settings by Amanda Lince. Sources: Canadian Encyclopedia of Theater Online (accessed January 2013); Vancouver Hall of Fame on line (accessed December 2012.)

née Lester. Born June 29, 1911, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died April 27, 1995, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. Katherine's father was killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during World War 1 (1914-1918). Her mother died of tuberculosis when she was just nine years old. She was adopted at eleven from an orphanage by famed movie director Cecil De Mille (1881-1959) and his wife Constance. Attending high school in Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A., she played roles in school theatre productions and just knew she wanted to be an actor. Her first movie role was in 1930. On October 3, 1937 she married actor Anthony Quinn (1915-2001) and the couple had five children. Tragedy struck the family when their oldest son, Christopher, drowned in a friends pool at three years of age. In 1959 she decided to retire from the film industry. In 1965 she and Quinn divorced. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2021)

née Rickets. Born September 15, 1936, London, England. Died December 20, 2015, London, Ontario. Hazel studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in London, England, and started her career on British television. In the early 1950’s she immigrated to Canada with her first husband Ray Bidwell. She continued to work in television and was a reporter for current affairs programs at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (C B C) and Global Television Network. Divorced by 1961 she married Anthony Snowsill a C B C technician. This marriage dissolved shortly after the birth of their daughter. In 1968 she married Peter Reilly and the family settled in Ottawa where Hazel worked a new anchor at C J O H and another daughter and a son were born. At home she co-authored a cookbook with friends. In September 1979 she married for the 4th time to Peter Hullett Desbarats, Dean of Journalism, University of Western Ontario (now Western University) and the family relocated to London, Ontario. It was hear that she would begin her second career in acting. A Dora Award winning actror she performed on stages across the country including the Soulkeeper Theatre Company, the Canadian Stage in Toronto and the famous Stratford Theatre. Sources: Obituary The Toronto Star December 22, 2015; Susan Ferrier Mackay, From Newswoman to celebrated actress. Globe and Mail January 6, 2016. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born May 29, 1939, London, England. At nine years of age, in England, Danica appeared in her first movie. While still in schools she immigrated with her family to Montreal, Quebec, where she appeared on television, stage, and was heard on radio. She attended the University of British Columbia and returned to England to continue her career on stage, television, and in movies. Back in Canada she settled in Toronto where she found work at the C B C television as a games show personality and did summer stock theatre in the U.S.A. In 1959 she participated and won the Miss Canada pageant. By 1960 she was in Hollywood where she appeared in ‘B’ movies and on numerous television programs until 1990. From 1966 through 1971 she taught at her own school called The Actor’s Lab. In 1971 she began directing stage productions and continued directing in television and movies. She also worked as a television journalist. She married Nello Olivo (1940-   ) and became a real estate investor and raised her six children. The couple owns a vineyard and a large banquet facility in California  (2021)

Marie-Rose Angelina Yvonne Lussier

Born April 16, 1904, Montreal, Quebec. Died December 2, 1983, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.  Could you guess that this is a stage name? Her real name is Marie-Rose Angelina Yvonne Lussier. After several successful acts in Vaudeville, she began her Hollywood movie career in 1929. In 1933 she married Maurice Hill. She was in movies and television as well as live stage for 40 years and worked with famous male stars like Will Rogers .She married a second time to Peter LaRicos in 1947. Billed as a French bombshell from Paris, she never even traveled outside of North America. Her life story was featured on the TV show This is Your Life.  Source: Find a Grave Canada, Online (accessed 2015)

Born April 2, 1934, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Died  April 5, 2020, Toronto, Ontario. Shirley was the daughter of the famous Canadian politician, Tommy Douglas (1904-1986). As a youth Shirley had been involved in church drama and music activities. At 16 she began to take acting seriously and attended the Banff School of Fine Arts in Alberta. She also attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England, prior to acting in British stage and television. She married Timothy Emil Sick (1931-1994) in 1957 and the couple had one son before they separated and divorced. Her second marriage in 1966 was to Canadian actor Donald Sutherland (1935-2024). Donald took her and their family of three children, including twins Kiefer and Rachael, to California, U.S.A. to live. It was here that she threw her energies into the American protest movement of the 1960's and 1970's. Returning to Toronto as a single mother in 1977, she resumed a successful stage, television, and movie career. She was a co-founder of the first Canadian chapter of the Performing Artists for Nuclear Disarmament.  In 2000 she received a Gemini Award for Best Featured Actress followed in 2001 with a Diamond Award from the Variety Club. In 2002 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal. In October 2003 she was presented the Order of Canada. In 2004 she received her space on the Wall of Fame at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and her star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. That same year she received the Distinguished Canadian Award from the Seniors Education Centre at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan.  Her son, actor Kiefer Sutherland, was also given a star on the Walk in 2005.  In 2009 she earned the International Achievement Award from the Women in Film & Television. n 2009 she was confined to a wheelchair due to a degenerative spine condition. In 2012 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal. Source: Find a Grave, Online  (accessed 2024)

née Koeber. Born November 9, 1869(?) Cobourg, Ontario.  Died July 28, 1934, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. Marie's father was the Anglican Church organist and at age five she appeared in a church play in Lindsay, Ontario. The family relocated to Bay City, Michigan, U.S.A. in the 1889's. Marie left home when she was just 14. Lying about her age, saying she was 18 and changing her name to Dressler she joined the Nevada Stock Company. Three years later she joined Robert Grau Opera Company and performed throughout the American Midwest. She worked with various companies gaining in experience and popularity. Finally Marie made it to the Broadway stage in 1892 and became a vaudeville star comedienne headliner shortly after 1900. She continued to send money to support her parents throughout her early career. In 1899 she married George Hoppert /Hoeppert / Hopper (1862-1929). In 1900 she formed her own theatre troupe but she was soon forced to declare bankruptcy. In the early 1900's she married James Henry Dalton (1871-1921) and the couple relocated to London, England, where Marie was soon performing on stage. Once again her efforts resulted in bankruptcy and she was back in the U.S. working on Broadway By 1909 she was appearing in films.  In 1914 she was in the first full-length silent film comedy, Tillie's Punctured Romance opposite Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977).  During World War l (1914-1918) she used her popularity to help sell Victory Bonds. in 1922 she was touring in Europe. Back in the U.S. she made her final Broadway appearance in 1926. She had easily made the move to ‘talkies’ when many top silent film heroines did not survive. More homely than beautiful, she was also an over-weight woman. This was an unlikely star material. However, she was talented and she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1930/31. In August 1933 she became the first woman to ever appear on the cover of Time magazine. She was given a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. There is some dispute as to her true birth date with various sources using 1868, 1869, and her grave using 1871. Marie's birth home in Cobourg, Ontario, is a museum open to the public. Each year, the Marie Dressler Foundation Vintage Film Festival is held, with screenings in Cobourg and in Port Hope, Ontario. In 2008 Canada Post included Maries in a Canada In Hollywood postage stamp series. November 9, 2020, her 152 birthday was commemorated in a Google Doodle.  Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2016); Google, November 9, 2020, Online.

Born November 10, 1875, Bronte-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Died October 15, 1960, Hollywood, California, U.S.A. Maude embarked on her acting career after the death of her father in 1901 as he would not have approved of such a profession for his daughter. She began her acting career on stage in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. and by 1914 she had made her Broadway debut in the play A pair of Sixes. In 1905 she married Eugene J. Hall and the couple had one daughter. She switched to a movie career in 1930 appearing in  the move The Bat Whispers. She would, in her career, over the next 21 years appear in more than 100 movies. She retired from acting in 1951. Source Northern Stars, Online (accessed 2008)

Born 1877, Nan, Labrador. Died 1961, Labrador. In 1892 she and her family were a part of 60 Inuit from Labrador who were recruited to appear in an ethnological exposition at the Chicago World's Fair.  While in Chicago she had a bay girl, Nancy Helena Columbia Palmer.  Many of the Inuit officially established their own Eskimo Village outside the fair grounds. After the fair closed in October 1893 the family  began touring and appearing  at state fairs and alongside the Barnum and Bailey Circus. In 1896 Columbia and her grandparents returned to Labrador. Ester had married Charles Bein and stayed with him in New York, U.S.A. It seems she worked as a seamstress for the American Museum of Natural  History. In 1899 she returned to Labrador to help recruit Inuit for a tour of Europe. The entire reunited family left for Europe and performed as The Eskimo Encampment at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London, England and then the troupe moved on to Spain. Esther and her husband returned to New York early but were reunited once again when the troupe came to New York in 1901 for the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo. Edison Studios produced three short films of the performers at the exposition.  By 1903 she was married to John Casper Smith the troupe  the promotion for the touring group. In 1905 Esther's father died at Coney Island, New York and after that the group members slowly returned to Labrador but Esther continued touring with her children. In 1909 they appeared on stage at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. and then on to Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., and finally settling at a permanent Eskimo Village in Ocean Park, California, U.S.A. by 1910. The family soon began providing props such as sleds and dog teams for films of the far north. Columbia went on to appear in films either alone or with Ester. At time the pair were cast as Plains Indians. and in one film Esther played the role of a Japanese woman. In 1915 after being at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California the family moved to Santa Monica, California to establish an Eskimo Village attraction. which would be destroyed by fire at the end of the year.  Source: De Remarquables Oubliés, C B C Radio, Online (accessed 2024)

Born January 16, 1893, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Died August 16, 1959, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Columbia was born during the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. in 1893. Her mother, Esther Eneutseak was an Inuit from Labrador who had been recruited along with other members of her Labrador village to appear at the Exposition. Columbia would appear on stage with her mother as the troupe of Inuit traveled across North America performing at state fairs and other events and with Barnum & Bailey Circus. In 1896, her grandparents, who had also been part of the group took Columbia and retuned home to Labrador. In 1899 and 1901 she joined the reunited family touring England and mainland Europe. In 1904 she was at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. In 1909 at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle, Washington she was dubbed 'Queen of the Carnival.' They went on to  Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., and finally settling at a permanent Eskimo Village in Ocean Park, California, U.S.A. by 1910. The family soon began providing props such as sleds and dog teams for films of the far north. Columbia went on to appear in films either alone or with Ester. At time the pair were cast as Plains Indians. She would also write a script and became the first Inuit screenwriter. In 1915 after being at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California the family moved to Santa Monica, California to establish an Eskimo Village attraction which would be destroyed by fire at the end of the year. Columbia would marry Raymond S. Melling in the 1920's and become a mother of one daughter. She ended up managing an apartment building in Souther California. Source: De Remarquables Oubliés, C B C Radio, Online (accessed 2024)

Born August 3, 1979, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Since she was a teenager she has been an active volunteer. She was ‘discovered’ by the Ford Modeling Agency. She decided not to pursue a career as a model but worked with the Ford agency to earn funds to attend the University of British Columbia. In addition to help pay for university she worked as an extra on film sets. In 2003 she married but the marriage was ended the following year. In 2004 she stared on the Television series Lost and was voted one of the breakout stars by Entertainment Weekly Magazine. In 2005 she was names second on the Hot 100 of the Year. Returning to modeling she earned a position of Super Model with L’Oreal starting in 2009. In 2011 she gave birth to a son with her boyfriend Norman Kali. A second  son was born in 2015.In 2012 she appeared in the movie The Hobbit learning sword play and archery for her role. Lily has also appeared in superhero films such as Wasp and Ant-man. She is the author of the ongoing children's series: The Squickerwonkers (2013-   ) with planned two nine-book series. (2021)

Born January 30, 1980, London, Ontario. Margot moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1989 and studied with the Vancouver Youth Theatre. She has acted in numerous films including: Misery Harbor, Opposite Sex, In Cold Blood, and The Adventures of Yellow Dog. 

Born May 9, 1958, Montreal, Quebec. Died June 21, 2009, Vancouver, British Columbia. Lorena attended and graduated from Concordia University, Montreal and the National Theatre School, Montreal. She would als earn her Master's degree from Simon Fraser University, British Columbia in 2005. In 1981 her performance on stage in Raisin in the Sun, earned her the Theatre Critics Award for Outstanding Performance from the Montreal Gazette. In 1985 she became the artistic director of the Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal. By the late 1980's she was studying playwriting at the Playwrights' Workshop in Montreal.  In 1988 she relocated to Vancouver where she earned the Jessie Richardson Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the Coloured Museum in 1991. In 1995 her play Angélique, the story of executed slave Marie-Joseph Angelique won the duMaurier National Playwriting Competition in 1995. In 200 she produced her own play, Je me souviens which was a monologue of her life growing up in Montreal. She also worked in film appearing in  more than eight movies and doing guest appearances on popular television series. She would also do voice overs in Robo Cop, the Bitsy Bears The Adventures of Corduroy and Hurricanes. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2024)

Born Quebec City, Quebec. Marie had it seems always wanted to act even when she was still a child but put aside her dreams and ambitions to concentrate on school. She studied at Laval University. In her 20s and in university the urge to perform returned, specifically to work on the stage. Marie is a two-time Genie Award–nominated actress. Gignac has been nominated twice in the category of Best Supporting Actress each for The Confessional (Le Confessional) in 1995 and La Vie secrète des gens heureux in 2006. In 2011, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada "for her contributions to the performing arts as an actress, director, playwright and artistic director of Québec’s Carrefour international de théâtre. She has also been nominated for the Prix de l’institut canadien de Quebec. Marie has served as co-artistic director of the Carrefour International de théâtre de Québec. (2017)

Born September 27, 1899*, Montreal, Quebec. Died July 9, 1978, Longueuil Quebec. Antoinette and her sister, Germaine,  began their acting careers on Montreal stages.  In 1923 Antoinette received a government of Quebec grant that allowed her to study in Paris France. She went on tour in Europe with various companies including Comédie Française. She also toured in Asia and North America prior to returning to  Montreal in 1930. In 1934 she became director of the Stella Theatre in Montreal. She would also work on radio and is associated with the radio drama Jeunesse doré. She worked with the Fred Barry theatre company. She also worked at Théâtre du Rideau vert appearing in La Brune que voila in 1961 and in 1964 she appeared in La Guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu. In the mid 1960's she appeared as Grandmere Therrien in the television series Rue Des Pignons. In 1978 when was appointed to the Order of Canada.  * her birth year is also reported as 1903  Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024); Find a grave Canada Online (accessed 2024)

Born November 24, 1902, Montreal, Quebec. Died August 16, 1975, Quebec. Germaine and her sister Antoinette both began their acting careers as children on stages in the Montreal area. When Germain was just 16 she was appearing on Broadway in New York City, U.S.A. She appeared in various Broadway productions including Ladies of the Dury. She returned to Montreal in 1927 and worked at the Stella Theatre. From 1939 though to 1962 she starred in a radio drama A Man and His Sin. She also had various television roles in French language soap operas Le Survenant and Les Belles histoires des pays d'en haut. Still in the 1950's she also did stage work at the Théâtre du nouveau monde which ended up touring in France and at the Stratford Festival in Ontario. In the early 1970's she appeared on Radio Canada television in En Pieces Détachees. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2024)

née Halprin. Born June 2, 1950, Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a daughter of TV game show host Monty Hall (1921-2017)she was exposed to a TV life. She first received a taste of TV work as a child in repeat appearances in the TV series Different Strokes. She took time to study at the University of Manitoba and then acted on Broadway where she received a Tony Award as best actress in a musical. Her main exposure is still TV with numerous appearances on programs such as Friends and West Wing most recently. Movies are also a form of work she enjoys. She first married to Paul G. Gleason, an acting coach,  in 1975 and the couple had one son before becoming divorced in 1982. From 1984 through 1990 she was married to Michael Bennahum.  In 1994 she married Chris Sarandon. Check out I M D B for a listing of her movies, television appearances and work in theatre. (2021)

Born October 20, 1933, Toronto, Ontario. Died June 7, 2019, Toronto, Ontario. Nonnie studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England. In 1956 she played Diana Barry in the first TV production of Anne of Green Gables. She became a veteran on stage. At 16 she performed at the Red Barn Theatre in Jackson's Point, Ontario and at 18 she was appearing with the Canadian Repertory Theatre in Ottawa. She was known for her ability with accents and ability to play deferent ages and styles which allowed her to have an career on radio and television in the 1950's and 1960's.  She was a welcome guest on many television series including Kung FU: The Legend Continues, King of Kensington, Robo Cop: the Series, and Street Legal. She also did voice work in the 1980's Care Bears Movie ll as Funshine Bear, in the Raccoons and in 2012 she was heard in Wild Life, a film nominated for Best Animated Short at the 2012 Academy Awards. However, it seemed that live stage was her first love and in 1998 she returned to play at the Red Barn Theatre once again. She was the author of the one person play Sister Annunciata's Secret in which she played six different characters in 2012 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Hamilton Fringe Festival in Ontario. The one woman play Marilyn-After is another one woman play that sees Marilyn Monroe come back to life fifty years after her death was part of her career at the SpringWorks Festival, Stratford, Ontario in 2014 and then toured going to United Solo Theatre Festival in New York City, U.S.A. in 2015. When she died at 85 she was in rehearsals for a new solo show about Margaret Mitchell of Gone With the Wind fame. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2022)

Born October 7, 1953, Montreal, Quebec. Died September 21, 2014, Toronto, Ontario. As a youth Linda did puppet shows for her brother and in High School participated in the Drama Club. She attended Dawson College in Montreal and was accepted into the National Theatre School’s acting program. She dropped out and felt she had failed and obtained a teaching certificate at McGill University instead of acting. However she decided to give acting another try. She relocated to Saskatchewan in 1973 and helped to found the 25th Street Theater. It was here that she began to write and create plays. Back east in Montreal near the end of the 1970’s she played the personality of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. In 1980 her play Maggie and Pierre became an instant hit and eventually she was doing a cross country tour with the play. She would go on to create additional plays and give memorable performances on stage. Source: J. Kelly Nestruck Leading Lady liked to showcase outsiders, Globe and Mail October 4, 2014.

Born January 30, 1934, Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Died October 30, 2016, Englewood New Jersey, U.S.A. Tammy graduated from Stephens College in Missouri. She worked for West Port County Playhouse in Connecticut. In 1955 she saw a young Canadian actor, Christopher Plumber (1939-2021), in a Broadway comedy and fell in love. They married in 1956. By 1958 she was on stage at the Stratford Theatre, Ontario, with her husband.  The couple had one daughter, Amanda who is also an actress. Sadly they were divorced in 1960. In 1964 she stared in High Spirits with the incomparable Canadian Beatrice Lilly (1894-1989). At 26 she was the winner of her first Tony Award for her role in The Unsinkable Molly Brown By 1969 she had a secnd Tony Award for her role in the Noel Coward play Private Lives. In 1966  she married actor Jeremy Slate and was divorced a year later. Her third marriage was in 1971 to musician and composer Richard Bell (  -2005). Source: Anita Gates, Obituary, Globe and Mail November 3, 2016. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario.

Born March 5, 1935, Outremont, Quebec. Died July 12, 1991, Montreal, Quebec. Luce studied for five years at the National Film Board of Canada (N F B) and then moved to New York City, U.S.A., for a few years to study at the famous Actors Studio. In Quebec in the 1960's she appeared on stage at the Théâtre du nouveau monde, Théâtre du rideau vert, and Théâtre de quat'sous. In 1971 she in the Radio-Canada television production Des Souris et des hommes. In 1976 she appeared in, co-wrote, and directed La Nef de sorcieres at Théâtre du nouveau monde. Also in the 1970's she appeared in 20 films. By the 1980's she was appearing in popular TV series including the téléroman Des dames de coeur. In 1975 she warned the Canadian Film Award and the Prix Iris from the National Film Board in 1991 for lifetime achievement. 1991-1998 Les Rendez-vous du cinéma Québécois awarded the prix Luce-Guibeault to the best young promising actor. In 2000 a feature biographical documentary, Luce Guilbeault, explorActrice was produced by the N F B. In 2016 she won Ariel Borremans published Ma Mere dans l'oeil de mon pére which featured photographs by he father Guy Borremans (1934-2012).  Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2024)

Born December 5, 1915, Yorkshire, England. Died December 20, 1984, Toronto, Ontario. Amelia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1938 from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. She went on to work as a teacher in Ottawa for eight years and became involved with local theater. She appeared on stage at the Brae Manor Playhouse in 1945 and 1947 and then at the Canadian Art Theatre the following year and toured that summer. In 1949 she joined the Canadian Repertory Theatre in Ottawa appearing in or directing many of the 150 productions. In 1950 she served as the Canadian Repertory Theatre Artistic Director. In the following decade she worked with the Montreal Repertory Theatre and the Toronto Crest Theatre.  In 1953 when she played Lady Ann in Tyrone Guthrie's Richard lll she became the first woman to walk onto the stage at the famous Stratford Festival. She appeared in numerous Stratford productions. She has been titles the Grande Dame of the Canadian Stage. In June 1982 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. Her last performance was at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1984. She also had a solid film and television career. In 1990 Dundurn press published her biography,  Life Before Stratford. Many of her papers are to be found at the Library and Archives Canada Collections. *Her Birth is sometime reported as 1916. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2024) I M D B, Online (accessed 2024)

née Hovick. Born November 8, 1912, (also reported as 1913 and 1916). Vancouver, British Columbia.  Died March 28, 2010, Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A. The family relocated to Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. when June was an infant. Her mother wanted stardom for June and her older sister Louise (who would become known professionally as Gypsy Rose Lee (1911-1970) ). June was featured on Vaudeville as Baby June and her Farmboys. The act continued into the 1920's when her name became 'Dainty June'. Her mother forged the girl's birth certificates to keep them working as young 'children'. June, who could not speak until she was three, also appeared in some silent movies. June resented Vaudeville and at 13 or16 she married Bobbie Reed, real name Weldon Hyde, in 1928. He was one of the boys in the chorus line and June to escape. The couple had one daughter before the marriage dissolved. June's mother, Rose Thompson Horvick, simply regrouped her energies around her older daughter, Louise. Although June's marriage did not last she gathered her talents and enjoyed life. In 1935 she married Donald Staley Gibbs and the marriage lasted seven years. In 1936 she had her first acting break on Broadway. In the 1940's she moved to Hollywood, California, U.S.A. In 1948 she married for the last time to an American writer, producer, and director for TV and radio, William Hannan Spier (1906-1973), with whom she remained until his death. June would remain on the edge of the industry. She would have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was nominated for her work as a director on Broadway in 1964. June would write two memoirs Early Havoc and More Havoc. In the 1960's through 1990 she appeared in numerous roles in various popular TV shows such as The Outer Limits, Murder She Wrote, and General Hospital. In the 1970's she worked to restored an abandoned train depot in Wilton, Connecticut. The restored area still houses artisan ships, galleries, and food outlets and is popular with modern tourists. In 2000 she was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. In 2003 the June Havoc Theatre in New York City was named in her honour. Source: Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2021)

née Sayler. Born Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.A. Died June 22, 2011, Victoria, British Columbia. Jane graduated from the University of Minnesota, U.S.A. She would later enroll in special studies at the University of Manitoba and the University of Victoria in British Columbia. She also attended Université Laval, Quebec and studied at L’Alliance française in Paris, France. In 1951 she moved to Winnipeg with her husband George. The couple had five children. She began her career as a puppeteer and producer with the Winnipeg Children’s Theatre and went on to act on stage at the Manitoba Theatre Centre and for many ears she was an actor and broadcaster on the CBC Radio and Television in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1958 she was known for her role in the Bird in a Gilded Cage a made for TV movie. She was enthusiastic about her adopted country and ran twice for political office. She shared her passions for the Pacific Opera in Victoria and charity work with the Greater Victoria Hospital foundation. She was a member of the University of Victoria Foundation Board and was a member of the Television Association Board of the Public Broadcasting Station K C T V in Seattle Washington, U.S.A. In 1992 she received the Confederation Medal marking the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. She also received a Certificate of Merit Award from the McPherson Foundation and was named Arts leader of the Year in 1989 from C F A X Community Awards. In 200 she was inducted into the Order of British Columbia. Source: Memorable Manitobans, Online (accessed 2018); Pacific Opera Victoria, Online (accessed 2018)  Not on Find a Grave

née Buhs. Born February 17, 1938, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. Died October 21, 2021, Stratford, Ontario. Martha graduated from the National Theatre School, Montreal, Quebec, and as one of Canada’s leading actors she has long been associated with the Stratford Festival in Ontario. From 1962 to 1965 she was married to Donnelly Rhodes Henry (1937-2018), a fellow actor, know as Donnelly Rhodes and adopted the name Henry for herself. In 1968 she married actor Douglas Rain (1928-2018) and the couple had one daughter. She worked as artistic director of the Grand Theatre, London, Ontario, from 1988 through 1994. In 1993 she starred in the film Mustard Bath which was filmed in Guyana, South America. It was in this film that she earned her first Genie Award as best supporting actress. She went on to win Genie Awards for her work in films in, 1984, 1994, and 1996. She has also earned Gemini Awards for her work in television. She has received the Order of Ontario in 1994 and promoted to Companion in the Order of Canada 1990. She received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for lifetime contribution to Canadian Theatre in 1996. In 2007 she was appointed director of Stratford's Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2016)

Born May 24, 1909, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died January 22, 2007, Romney Marsh, Kent, England. In 1922 Victoria immigrated to England with her family. In the 1930’s she appeared on stage and was mentored by actor, director, and producer Basil Dean (1888-1978). She Married Basil Dean in August 1934 and continued with her successful career. She was a popular actor on stage and in film. She appeared in a dozen films between 1933 and 1948. She had the leading role in the film Lorna Doone in 1934 and again leading role in Laburnum Grove in 1936. Her career became somewhat stalemated after her divorce in 1948. She did some made for television movies in 1950’s but was largely ignored as an actor. In 1951 she married actor Peter Walker (1915-1993). In the last years of her life she lived as a recluse. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2018)

Born July 27, 1884, Clifton Hill, Ontario. Died April 15, 1956, Hollywood, California, U.S.A. In 1906 she began a career in opera in Germany. She performed in Berlin for eight years and in concerts in Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia, and England. In 1913 she went to the United States and by 1916 saw with the Metropolitan Opera of New York City. In 1918 she became fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar magazine and also served as president of Fashion Group International. She would resign her position to begin a career as an actor. In 1934 she debuted in the movie Death Takes a Holiday and made two additional movies that same year. In 1935 she appeared in Man on the Flying Trapeze with the famous W. C. Fields. By 1951 she had appeared in over 50 movies. Source: Northern Stars Online (accessed 1999)

Born January 9, 1912, Montreal, Quebec. Died March 16, 2001, Brossard, Quebec. Juliette began her career as an actor in the 1930's appearing on stage and on radio productions. In 1950's came television and she appeared in the original show The Plouffe Family/La famille Plouffe and 14, Rue de Galais. She also appeared in French language films such as Amanita Pestilens and Je suis loin de toi mignonne (Far from you sweetheart). In the 1960's she took on the television role of a chef, the first on the magazine show Le 5 AA 6 and then she was the host of her own show Les racettes de Juliette. In 1987 she was awarded the Order National du Québec. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2015)

Born April 25, 1927, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. Died June 11, 2004, Toronto, Ontario. After her parents divorced when was still and infant, Frances was raised in Ogema, Saskatchewan and when she was seven she was in Regina. In 1948 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan. Earning a scholarship she went on to graduate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, England. She made her stage debut in London in 1950. In 1954 she married fellow actor George McCowan but they separated a few yeas later. She performed in 1954 at the famous Stratford Festival in Ontario and returned for ten seasons of the Festival. She also appeared in eight films and appeared in over fifty television shows many of which were recurring roles in such shows as The Albertans and the series Road to Avonlea. In 1970 she was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1994 she received the Governor General's Award for the Performing Arts for her lifetime contribution to Canadian theatre. Her last television role was in 1996 in the TV film Moonlight Becomes You. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Broadcasters, Hall of Fame, Online  (accessed 2022)

née  Campbell. Born June 27, 1862, Whitby, Canada West (now Ontario). Died October 22, 1938, New York City, New York, U.S.A. After the death of her father the single parent family needed financial earnings. As early as 1872 she and her sister, Adeline Flora, were singing on stage as the Irwin Sisters. The act would take the family to New York City. Once the sister act split up, May would go on and become a well known Broadway performer working with Augustin Daly's stock company until 1887. A comedian with improvisational skills she be became successful not only in North America but also on stage in London, England. May became a widow when her first husband, Frederick W. Keller, died in 1886. In 1895 she introduced 'The Bully Song' from her Broadway performance in The Widow Jones. The song would become her signature number. Her movie career was short but historically significant. Thomas Edison (1847-1931), the famous inventor, placed May, in 1896, in the staring role in his pioneering one minute moving picture called The Kiss. It was the first kiss of the movies!!! It was considered scandalous by early movie audiences and the clergy! It is considered to be the first moving picture to ever be shown in Canada!  May also wrote lyrics to several songs she began making records for Berliner/Victor. May would make only one other movie, Mrs. Black is Back, in 1914. She retired in 1925 to live with her husband, Kurt Eisenfeldt and her two children.  She is also credited with having named the famous Thousand Island Salad Dressing. She and her family owned a vacation home in the 1000 islands. The Whitby Public Library maintains a collection of sheet music and associated ephemera of May Irwin. Source: Find a Grave, Online; Whitby Public Library, Online, (accessed 2025)

Born August 21, 1951, Edmonton, Alberta. As a child she was the only First Nations child adopted into a white working class home which left her having and identity crisis. She studied acting, voice, and dance at Grant McEwan College, Edmonton, the Banff Centre, Alberta, and the Square Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.A. She is considered the ‘Mother of Canada in a native performance arts’. In 1992 she founded and served as artistic director of Full Circle: First Nations Performance in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her performances blend storytelling, song, dance, poetry and often the latest hint of technology. She is known for her one-woman show Moonlodge which premiered in 1990 and has toured Australia in 1997. In 1991 she received a Canadian Achievement Award from the National Capital Commission in Ottawa. (2021)

née Kanten. Born March 13, 1933, Caroline, Alberta.   Died March 14, 2022, Surprise, Arizona, U.S.A. Wanda was delivered by her aunt, at home, during a snowstorm. The Kanten family settled in Sylvan Lake Alberta where the family operated Kanten's Kanteen at the waterfront. The family was very musical and it was said that there was no instrument that Wanda could not play. She and her two sisters would sing and perform with their father as the Kanten Gospel Singers. They had regular appearances on local radio. Moving to Red Deer Alberta and then to Kitchener, Ontario Wanda became 'Miss Wanda' for the children's TV program, Romper Room She produced a record Little Songs and Stories for Little People. In later life whe published a book , Unplug; 1001 Ways to Pull Your Kids Away from TV. In the mid 1960's she was the organist in the dining room at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta. While in Kitchener she met and married Michael Hartfield. The couple would live in Oregon and then Arizona a , U.S.A. where they raised two children. Source: In Memorium, C K C O History, Online (accessed 2025).

Born August 25, 1909, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Died February 28, 1993, Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.A. When Ruby was just three the family relocated to New York City, U.S.A. As a child at primary school she was able to take dance lessons one a wee from a visiting dance instructor. The teacher was so interested that she gave Ruby free lessons at her studio. At thirteen she auditioned for a chorus line by lying about her age. In 1923 she was working on stage for forty-five dollars a week to help her family. She would work her way in the entertainment world even working for the famous Ziegfeld Follies. A former speakeasy dancer and Broadway lead, she married musical star Al Jolson in 1928. Ruby was picked up with a contract at the Warner Brothers Studio. After several films she retired from the screen in 1941. She charmed audiences again in 1971 with a return to Broadway in the reprised musical No No Nanette for two seasons plus two seasons of tours. In 1974 Ruby survived a brain aneurysm and became spokesperson for the National Stroke Association. She always contended that she had a horrible singing voice, could not act, and that her dancing skills were not that good either. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

Born October 5, 1924, West Vancouver, British Columbia. Died January 24, 2007, London, England. As a youth Barbara's  mother forced her to take elocution lessons which evidently paid off when she was 'discovered' and performed in a C B C radio play Christmas in 1940. She was just 16 years old. Barbara also did some modelling and toured with a stage company prior doing plays with C J O R Radio in Vancouver and for the C B C. In 1942 she married fellow thespian Bernard Braden. Relocating to Toronto she worked on stage, radio, and on television with her husband. In 1949 the young couple emigrated to Britain where their Canadian accents were appealing to directors. She often was a guest on her husband's B B C radio show Breakfast with Braden and then the show Bedtime with Braden. There also work in television with a six episode series in 1951 with the B B C. Over the years starting in the 1950 she would appear in several minor films. She became a panelist on the British version of the TV show What's My Line? for 13 years and returned to the revival of the show in 1984. In the late 1960's the couple stared in the B B C television series B and B. In the 1970's she appeared in American TV series. It was also in the 1970's that she began a agency for performers and commercial clients called Prime Performers. In 2000 she established Speakerpower providing personal training for business and community leaders. She is a member of the Canadian Broadcasters Hall of Fame Source: C B A Broadcasters Hall of Fame online (accessed 2024).

née Cloutman. Born December 16, 1907, Gadsby, Alberta. Died October 13, 2011, Palm Desert, California, U.S.A. Barbara and her family moved to California when she was a teenager. In 1925 she won the Miss Hollywood Beauty Pageant. Described as gorgeous, full-figured, and baby faced. Even though she had never acted previously, she was signed up by Universal Studios. Her debut was as the only woman in the western Prowlers of the Night, batting her eyelashes as she nursed the wounded sheriff back to health. In the landmark 1926 film Flesh and the Devil, opposite Greta Garbo, the lovelorn Kent displayed her broken heart in an Oscar-worthy supporting performance. She starred in Lonesome, the last great silent American film in 1928.  Kent's natural voice was a bit too “tinny” and her career in the talkies was in doubt. Determined she took voice lessons. Her career peaked when she played superstar Harold Lloyd's love interest in his first two talkies, Welcome Danger and Feet First. In 1932 she married Harry Edington, a longtime Hollywood producer He tried to revive his wife’s career in the late 1930s, but her roles became smaller and films less prestigious. Her last film was Guard That Girl in 1935. After her husband died in 1949, Barbara retired from show business retreating from public view and refusing all demands for photographs and interviews. She married a second time to engineer Jack Monroe who died in 1998. She had been living in a retirement home in Sun Valley, where neighbors were unaware she had once graced the silver screen. At the age of 103 she was one of the last surviving silent screen actors. Sources: Bergan, Ronald “Alberta –born silent film star transitioned to talkies, then retired”  The Globe and Mail October 31, 2011 page R9 (accessed November 2011)  Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa.

née Bridgewood. Born January 1, 1890, Hamilton, Ontario. Died December 28, 1938, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A. . This petite Canadian born actor is universally acknowledged as the world’s first movie star. At age four she was performing as “Baby Flo, the Wonder Whistler” on vaudeville. In the pioneer days of filmmaking, credits with the names of actors were not important. She became known simply as the "Biograph Girl". In 1915 she tried to help someone in a studio fire and was badly burned. She never achieved her former active career. By the time of her death she had appeared in 250 films! For more information read Florence Lawrence, the Biograph Girl: America's First Movie Star by Kelly R Brown (McFarland, 1999). Source: National Women's History Museum, Online (accessed 2021)

Born February 29, 1917, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died December 1 1990, Berkshire, England. Carla appeared in little theatre productions from the time she was 15 years old. She trained to be an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (R A D A), London, England, and joined the Croydon Repertory Company. In 1941 she Married George Anderson McDowell Elliot but the marriage ended in divorce. During World War ll (1939-1945) she stared in war films with American male counterparts. In 1947 she married John R. Townsend and the couple had three sons. In 1952 she played in the B B C TV series The Three Hostages. Source: Memorable Manitobans, Online (accessed 2022)

née Jean Dawson Keenleyside, Born April 17, 1899, London, Ontario. Died April 14, 1984, Toronto, Ontario. Jane was performing at the University of Toronto's Hart House Theatre when she was an undergraduate at Victoria College at the University. In 1921 she was on stage at Upper Canada College, Toronto. In 1926 she married a chemistry teacher from Upper Canada College Frederick Mallett. She would continue to appear on stage in the 1930's, 40's ,and 50's and was an well known comic talent. Jane worked on C B C Radio in the 1940's through to the 1970's and was known for her ability to portray different voices for different characters in the same show! She is best remembered for the radio comedy series Travels with Aunt Jane. In 1977 a television was created for Aunt Jane but was never picked up. Jane is also well known for her stage work which included performances at the famous Shaw Festival and the Stratford Festival. Form 1967 through to 1983 she worked in ten films. In 1975 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1976 she earned the John Drainie Award from Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (A C T R A) for her significant contribution to broadcasting in Canada. She earned the title of 'Godmother of Canadian Performers' with her creation of the Actor's Fund of Canada which helps those in need in theatre work. In 1984 the Jean Mallett Theatre was named in her honour at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto. Source: Nothernstars Online (accessed 2022)

Born February 18, 1910, Nelson, British Columbia. Died August 31, 1988, Oxford, United Kingdom. Joan worked as a switchboard operator in Vancouver, British Columbia prior to moving to London England to pursue a career in acting. In 1934 she was appearing on stage and on radio and won the Bessborough Trophy for Best Canadian Actress in 1934. In 1936 she appeared in the B B C television program Picture Page where she played a switchboard operator connecting viewers to guests on the show. She moved on to star in a play for television called Once in a Lifetime. The B B C television serve ceased broadcasting during World War ll (1939-1945). In 1948 she married Peter Cotes (1912-1998). In 1947 she was once again appearing on various television programs with her last appearance being in 1976 when she played herself on The Birth of Television. Active in her home community she served as president of Beauty Without Cruelty, an animal welfare group. Source: I M D B, Online, (accessed 2024)

Born April 3, 1919, Marseille, France. Died October 28, 2008, Montreal, Quebec.  At Clairette was working as a waitress at a local French film studio when she got her first film role in La fille du puisatier in 1939. She would so work as a singer on radio. During World War ll (1939-1945) she made movies and toured France with stage and variety shows. Married in 1940 the marriage only lasted a few years. She visited Quebec for the first time in 1949. In 1956 she immigrated to Quebec. Here she opened Chez Clairette offering young French Canadian talents, such as Robert Charlebois, a chance to perform. She closed and reopened again in a different area of Montreal and this time she remained open for a decade. She performed at at Chez Clairette and from time to time had roles on local TV series. She would also open an academy for singers. She was inducted into the National Order of Quebec in 2002 and as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2003. Her final public appearance was in June 2008. Source: Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2019)

née Downing? Born 1903?, England. Died August 19, 1998, Toronto. Ontario. While still a child the Dowling family immigrated to Canada ans settled in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Louise attended the Regina Normal School (teachers' college) and taught in the early 1920's in Moose Jaw.  She married Carl Olson and the couple had three children in Saskatoon  Interested in drams she joined the Saskatoon Little Theatre Club and was known to have participated in some 30 productions and served as club president. She was an adjudicator for high school drama about the province from 1933 through 1957. She served as director and producer of the Quota Club Children's Theatre for two seasons at the end of World War ll in 1945. From 1949 through 1956 she was the drama chair for the Saskatchewan Arts Board and took part in various Saskatoon radio productions. After the  theatre club disbanded she founded in 1952 the Saskatoon Community Players where she again served as president for four years. IN 1955 she took a business course and began teaching at the Saskatoon Business College. She retired around 1973. Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan Online (accessed 2022)

Born August 25, 1903, Montreal, Quebec. Died September 14, 1996, Montreal, Quebec. When Rose was just twelve she won several local singing and theatre contests. At 19 she was on stage in Montreal theatres. She became a duo act with Olivier Guimond Sr. and they became popular province wide. At first she called herself 'Casserole'  but then became 'La Poune'. She became a leading figure in the burlesque and vaudeville productions of the Montreal théâtre. From 1936 through 1953 she was in charge of the Théâtre National.  In 1958 she began a career in cabaret which lasted over two decades. In the 1960's and 1970's she worked at the Théâtre des varietes of Montreal and beginning to appear on television. In 1985 she won, by popular vote, the Rose d'or. That same year she published Comment atteindre le bel age en grand forme. In 1990 she was inducted into L'Ordre national du Québec. In 1991 she earned the Prix Victor du festival just pour rire pour l'ensemble de sa Carriére. Source: Hommage à 56 femmes d'exception qui ont changé le Québec. Editions spéciale 7jours.

Born February 2, 1913, Barcelona, Spain. Died April 18, 2006, Montreal, Quebec. When she was just five her family relocated to Argentina. In Argentina she studied at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. She worked, at first, as a journalist and broadcaster. In the 1940's she was acting in Chile and then she worked as head of the theatre section of Radio-Lima, Peru. By 1946 she was working with Columbia Broadcasting Services radio in New York City. Next she was off to Paris, France, as a reporter for La Prensa. By 1948 she was working in Montreal, Quebec where she founded the Théâtre du rideau vert where she served as Chief Administrator until her death. From 1953 to 1965 she was the producer of Spanish Services at Radio Canada International. From 1971 to 1985, she was president of the Association des Directeurs de Théâtre and, from 1986 to 2003, she was president of the Théâtres associés. In 1983 she became a member of the Order of Canada. In 1991 she earned the Prix Victor-Morin from Societé Saint-Jean Baptiste followed the next year with the Gascon-Thomas Award from L'Ecole nationale de Théâtre. In 1994 she earned a lifetime achievement award from the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards and was named to the Ordre National du Québec. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia, Online, (accessed 2019)

Born November 4, 1930, London, England.  Died March 27, 1993, Stratford, Ontario. As a child Kate immigrated with her family to Canada settling in Oakville, Ontario. After high school she attended the University of Toronto (U of T) and the studied acting at the Royal Conservatory of Music making her first stage appearance at Hart House Theatre prior to working with the Straw Hat Players in Muskoka, Ontario. This warm and vulnerable performer thrived while working live theatre. She is well known for her role as Lady MacBeth in Macbeth and Katharina in the Taming of the Shrew and Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe on stage. She has also appeared in some 50 movies from the 1960's through the 1980's.  did numerous television productions. She was nominated for Tony and Emmy Awards and holds many Canadian awards including an A C T R A. In 1974 she was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Canada. Source: Canadian Theatre encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2021)

Born December 11, 1952, Richmond, British Columbia. Died December 9, 2009, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario. Goldie studied at the University of British Columbia where she met her husband, Lorne Kennedy. The couple had one daughter. The young couple continued their studies and began their career at the Bristol, England, Old Vic Theater. After traveling to gain roles the couple settled in Ontario where Goldie honed her craft and gained a solid reputation garnering lead stage roles at Stratford Festival and the Shaw Festival. She combined unequalled grace beauty and elegance on stage. Although diagnosed with cancer she continued on stage. Her last performance was in a Noel Coward play,  Brief Encounters in 2009. Source: Goldie Semple by Richard Ouzounian, The Toronto Star December 9, 2009 online (accessed August 2011.)

Born 1926,  Perth, Scotland. Died December 12, 2012, France. She studied in Belgium and at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1949 she joined what is now the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford on Avon, England working on stage set up and earning promotions to the level of assistant director. In Canada she worked at the Crest Theatre, Toronto, and the Red Barn Summer Theatre at Jackson Point, Ontario. In Ottawa she established the theatre section at the National Arts Centre where she worked from 1971-1977. At the NAC she preferred not to import talent but rather use our own Canadian talent. She became Director of Theatre and Artistic Director of English Theatre at the NAC before moving to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to develop and produce television drama. She also taught directing and production of plays as a freelancer. She received the Maggie Basset Award and the Toronto Theatre Alliance Award in 1984. In the mid 1990’s she retired to France. She was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2006. Upon her death the flags at the NAC were flown at half staff in her honour. Source: Jean Roberts by Kate Taylor, the Globe and Mail January 2, 2013. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario Source: Archives, University of Guelph, Online (accessed 2021); I M D B Online (accessed 2021)

Born December 27, 1911, London, England. Died October 18, 2006, Rosedale, New South Wales, Australia. Her mother was Canadian and in 1939, after the death of her father the family settled in Toronto. Anna married twice: John Denison from 1934- 1946 and Charles Goldhamer 1948-1954 but sadly both marriages ended in divorce. Although she had appeared as a fold singer on the British Broadcasting Network in England in 1931 it was not until the family was in Canada that she found success. By 1940 she was successful on stage as a solo artist. Her one woman comedy show debuted in New York City in 1948 and there as a U.S., Britain, and Australian tour that would be one of many English Language country tours. By 1953 “Anna Russell’s Little Show” was on Broadway, the first of several Broadway shows. She also appeared on the Ed Sullivan television show, performed at Carnegie Hall as well as for the Canadian and Metropolitan Opera Companies. Her operatic parodies were famous. Some even said she was the funniest woman in the world. In the 1960’s she retired to Unionville, Ontario, living on a street names in her honour. In the next two decades she would come back to the stage in several farewell tours to satisfy public demand. In 1985 her auto biography was published under the title;  I didn’t make this up you know. She spent the last years of her life in Australia. Source: Obituary  by Patrick O’Connor, The Guardian, October 24, 2006  

née Voegtle. Born January 5, 1912, Kitchener-Waterloo Region, Ontario. Died May 20, 2001, Waterloo, Ontario. Violet married James Bryant Scriver (1905-1933), but became a widow after just three years of marriage. The couple had two children. Needing to support her family she would begin a career as a television chef. She became known as 'Mrs. S' on ther TV cooking show that was one of the first live shows produced at C K CO Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. The show ran from the mid 1950's through to the mid 1960's. Later she traveled throughout the province of Ontario making appearances as a guest chef. She would also publish her own cook book. * Birth date sometimes reported as 1911. Source: In Memorium, C K C O History, Online (accessed 2025); Waterloo Regions Generations, Online, (accessed 2025); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2025)

née Foster-Barham.  Born October 25, 1882, Victoria, British Columbia. Died January 23, 1970, Cabazon, California, U.S.A.  When she was 13 her family relocated to Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. Prior to being in films Ness worked in theatrical stock companies working on stage. In 1910 she married silent film producer Ernest Shipman (1871-1931). The couple moved to Hollywood  and raised one son. Nell became a pioneer in early Hollywood. She was one of the first women in the world to direct her own films and she even established her own production company. She was one of the first directors to shoot her films almost entirely on location. In 1919 she and Ernest had a successful Canadian silent film entitled Back to God's Country in which she debuted and performed one of the first nude scenes in film. Filmed on location in Alberta, Nell swam in frigid water during some of the film. She began an affair with co-star Bert Van Tuyle (1878-1951) and she divorced Shipman. Nell loved animals and spoke out against animal cruelty in Hollywood. She rescued animals and developed her own zoo containing more than 200 animals. The couple created Nell Shipman Productions focusing on major themes with wild animal, feminist heroes, and filming on location. By 1924 the production company had financial problems and she broke up with Bert Van Tuyle who had become unstable and killed many of her animals. In 1925 she married Charles H. Austin Ayers (1889-1964) and the couple had twin daughters. Nell's last major project was her autobiography, The Silent Screen and My Talking Heart, which was published posthumously. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2010)

née Hennessey. Born September 3, 1865, Toronto, Ontario. Died March 22, 1928, Los Angeles, California. Charlotte was the daughter of John Pickford Hennessy (1831-1881) and his wife Catherine. (1834-1904). She worked as a seamstress prior to marrying John Charles Smith (1866-1898) in 1892. The couple had three children in Toronto, Gladys Louise Smith, known as Mary Pickford (1892-1979), Charlotte Smith, known as Lottie Pickford (1893-1936) and John Charles Smith, known as Jack Pickford (1896-1933). Becoming a widow in 1898 Charlotte at first struggled as a single parent. Young Gladys took theatre roles in Toronto as a child actress and soon the family of child actors was touring in North America. By 1910 Charlotte was acting in minor parts with her daughter Mary Pickford. It was Charlotte who managed the early career of her children and she went on to help negotiate acting contracts, She also had a role in the United Artists film company, co-founded by Mary, and the Mary Pickford Film Company until her death from breast cancer. While her will provided for each of her three children the bulk of the money went to Mary since it had been Mary who had provided most opportunity for her mother's finances. The Character of Charlotte appeared in the Canadian television series Murdoch Mysteries in 2022. * her birth is sometimes reported as the early 1870's. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2025); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2025)

Born 1921, Toronto, Ontario. Died November 20, 2010, Etobicoke, Toronto. Ruth had a long career in radio, stage, film and television. Ruth began her acting career in 1961 and appeared in films for 20 years. She acted on stage at the Crest Theatre and the Royal Theatre. She received the John Drainie Award for her significant contribution to broadcasting in Canada. From the Alliance of Canadian Cinema she olds a coveted Andrew Allan Award.  Award. She also worked in films in Hollywood, California and In New Zealand. She also holds a Dora Mavor Award from the Toronto Alliance for the Performing arts which recognizes theatre, dance and opera productions in Toronto. Source: Obituary online (accessed 2022)

Born April 20, 1918, Toronto, Ontario. Died December 18, 1991, Alta Vista, California, U.S.A. June's family relocated to Tyler Lake, Connecticut, U.S.A. when she was just five years old. The family moved again to Long Island, New York and by 1930 they were living in Southern California, U.S.A. As a teen she acted with the Laguna Beach Little Theatre. She auditioned and was picked up by Fox Film Studio. She then took acting and dancing lessons while being part of the Fox training school for young actors. In 1934 she made her first screen appearance in the movie, Student Tour. All in all she would appear in 45 films in the 1930's and 1940's for Fox and Republic Pictures where she played opposite the cowboy star Gene Autrey (1907-1998). In 1947 she married a businessman, Fred Bohing, and the couple had one son. After her divorce she married a second time to Nick Ostreyko and they had a daughter. Her last role was in the movie, Miss Mink, in 1949. Leaving films after a serious auto accident she worked as a nurse in a doctor's office and then in a nursing home. Inspired by her work she earned and nursing degree and worked as a private nurse. In 1979 she married for a third time to Lincoln Clark. Source: Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2022); I M D B , Online (accessed 2022)

née Mamert. Born April 20, 1921, Paris, France. Died March 28, 2017, Montreal, Quebec. Janine immigrated to Montreal, Quebec, with her family in 1930. At 14 she began acting in radio dramas. In 1943 she was a founding member of Théâtre de L'Equipe troupe and through the early 1950's worked with Théâtre de nouveau monde. She would go on to make over 100 roles in theatre, as well as 75 film and television appearances. She was the mother of two children. In 1986 she became an Officer in the Order of Canada and this was advanced to Companion in 1991. In 1998 she was inducted into the L'Ordre nationale du Québec. Her son-in-law, Jean-François Lépine, published her biography, Vivre avec le destin / Living With Destiny in 2010. In 2014 she received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement for her contribution to Canadian theatre. Source: Hommage AA 56 femmes d'exception qui ont changé le Quebec. Editions spéciale 7 jours. 2021.

Born August 1, 1879 * Marbleton, Quebec  Died January 11, 1947, Hollywood, California, U.S.A. Eva began her career on stage at the age of 8. Her true medium was vaudeville and musical comedy. She would become known as the "I don't care girl" after a song "I don't care what happens to me" that she sang in a show called the Chaperons in 1904. In 1912 she was one of the most highly paid women actors in the United States. She made a couple of musical recordings and was the star of two movies Energetic Eva (1916) and The Wild Girl (1918). In 1929 she suffered from ill health and was losing her eyesight forcing her to retire from acting in 1930. In 1953 a movie The I don't care girl was loosely based on her life and career. Evidently her ghost spends time just off stage left in the centre of balcony row at Cohoes Theatre in Albany New York, U.S.A. * Her birth year is sometimes reported as 1878 (2021)

Born October 13, 1918, Iberville, Quebec. Died December 5, 2021. After studying dramatic arts in France and in Quebec Yvette began her acting career in the lat 1940's appearing in the film Maternité in 1947 and in 1949 on stage with Les Compagnons de Saint-Laurant. She then spent 20 years living in France. Yvette did not return to the North American screen again until the early 1970's. with her last film being Lawrence Anyways in 2012 when she was 94. . From the 1960's through to 2012 she she appeared on more then 20 television shows many with recurring roles. On stage in the 1980's, 1990's and in the early 2000's she worked with various artistic groups including Théâtres du Rideau Vert, Centre National des arts, Théâtre St.-Mathieu de Beloeil, Théâtres du Rire and Theatre du Nouveau Monde. Source: Northernstars online (accessed 2022)

née Idris Galcia Hall. Born October 13 1906*,  Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died June 3, 1996, Newport, New Jersey, U.S.A. Her father was killed in action during World War l (1914-1918) and she moved with her mother and sister to France. In 1922 she joined the Wanderwell Expedition, a travelogue company, as a secretary. Here she also participated in production and acted in four travelogue films. The company traveled to China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Palestine, Soviet Union, Turkey and Yemen. In December 1924 they landed in the U.S.A. On April 5, 1925 she married Walter Wanderwell (d 1932) in Riverside, California, U.S.A. The couple had two children. By 1926 they were off on a new expedition to South Africa and South America. Widowed Aloha Married Walter Baker on December 26, 1933 and the couple continued to work on travelogues. Her final films were produced in the 1950's. In 1982 she gave her last public performance as a travel lecturer at the Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. * her birth is sometimes reported as 1908. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia (accessed 2010)

Born July 6, 1972, Tisdale, Saskatchewan. Died October 9, 2016, Edmonton, Alberta. Susan was a Canadian actor and businesswoman of Asian descent who appeared in several film and television roles. She was perhaps best remembered for voicing Sailor Pluto in the English adaptation of Sailor Moon. She was the announcer on, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids TV show. She also voiced a number of roles in Beyblades. She married Jundee Grey in the summer of 1996 and the couple had three children.  Source: I M D B online (accessed 2022)

Born April 2, 1935, Toronto, Ontario. Died March 16, 2023, Ontario. An actor in movies and television her career spans from the 1950"s through to the late 1980's. She joined the Stratford Theatre group and toured with them in England. In 1956 she married Canadian Austin Ronald MacDonald and the couple had two children. This marriage ended in divorce. She also worked as a model working with Angie Dickinson modeling clothing. A supporting actor she has appeared in such TV shows as Star Trek, Mission Impossible, Cannon, McMillan and Wife, Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files, Quincy, and Murder She Wrote. She also played Della Street in the TV Movie The New Perry Mason. She married Peter John Elkington (died 2001) in 1973 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. becoming a step mother to two daughters.  She retired from acting in 1993. Source: I M D B Online (accessed 2023)

née Beryl Vere Nassau Adams. Born September 24, 1898, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died September 25, 1978, Melbourne, Australia. Claire was educated in Canada, England, and developed acting skills for silent films in Hollywood, California, U.S.A. She began to appear in films in 1912 and completed her career in 1934. In 1924 she married Benjamin B. Hampton who died in 1932. In the 1920 she was making numerous silent films. In 1926 alone she appeared in ten films! In total she appeared in some 80 films. In 1932 she married Donald Scobie Mackinnon (died 1974.) She would spend the second half of her live in Australia. Some of her photographs are maintained in the Special Collections and Archives ot the University of California Irving Libraries. Source: The Movie Database, Online (accessed 2025)

Born January 1, 1918, Dauphin, Manitoba. Died September 15, 2011, Tarzana, California, U.S.A. Frances was a young stage actor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and during World War ll (1939-1945) she hosted CBC Radio's weekly Everybody's Program for the Canadian Troops. This radio stint earned her the title ‘Girlfriend of the Canadian Forces’. After the war she and her husband Charles lived in New York and then Boston, Massachusetts, where she did more stage work. The couple had one son who committed suicide when he was 23. It was not until she was 60 did Frances find herself immersed in the world of TV and movies. In 1978 she played a small part in the movie Foul Play and both she and the industry became ‘hooked’ on each other. She would go on to become ‘Hollywood’s Granny’ in such movies as The Karate Kid, Twins, Little Red Riding Hood (Faerie Tale Theatre) and Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler. Her TV Granny appearances were also numerous and included Happy Days, Hill Street Blues, Touched by an Angel and The Golden Girls. In total she has played in over 140 roles. She has also played roles both on and off Broadway stage and regional theatre. Her work has won her two Drama Lodge Awards and a Gemini Award for her role in Road to Avonlea. In 2002, as the result of an auto accident, she had to have part of a leg amputated. That same year she suffered the death of her husband Charles. Once recovered and walking with an artificial leg she is back at work and in 2008 she had a star placed on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto. Source: Online Canada’s Walk of Fame ( accessed July 2008) ; Obituaries. Globe and Mail September 23, 2011;

née Bishopric. Born September 6, 1963, Montreal Quebec. Died  April 15, 2014, Toronto, Ontario. As a youth Kirsten and her brother, Thor, both worked as models. At eight she worked on the Kids of Degrassi Street a popular television show. Kirsten made her acting debut on the stage at Stratford Theatre, Ontario. At 11 years of age she had a role in a David Croninburg thriller movie. She studied drama at Dawson College, Montreal and in 1983 she spent a year at Stratford. She had a distinctive voice and had numerous jobs doing voice over animation as well as her screen roles for movies and television. Some of her role credits appear under the name Kirsten Bishop. For 20 years she helped others learn acting  in The Monday Night Group in Toronto. She married but did not use her married name, Roberts, professionally. The couple had two sons. Source: Kirsten Bishopric, A distinctive Voice Silenced Too Soon by Fred Langan. The Globe and Mail June 4, 2014. Suggested by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario. (2021)

Born March 19, 1976, Toronto, Ontario, She started her career in a McDonald’s commercial! At eight she appeared in The Kids of Degrassi Street a popular television show. She appeared in Are You Afraid of the Dark? before she landed her current role in the series Clueless. Rachel attended Havergal College in Toronto before attending and graduating from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.  In 1993 she received the Young artist Award as an outstanding Performer in a Children's Program. Other movies she has appeared in are Road Trip, Nailed  in 2001 and Wild Dogs in 2002 from 2004 for two years she appeared on the television series 7th Heaven. Through the years she has appeared in numerous television series including in 2014 the series Fargo. She also has appeared in musical video with such artists as Maroon 5. In 2007 she earned a Golden Nymph from The Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo In 2011 she earned a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Comedic Series. Rachel is married to composer Jeremy Turner. (2019)

Born July 1, 1942, Montreal, Quebec. Geneviève trained at the Quebec Conservatory of Dramatic Art and began her acting career in French Canadian theater making her debut in 1962. During a trip to Europe she was 'noticed' by French director Alain Resnais who placed her in several of his films. Returning to Canada she married film director Paul Almond in 1967.The couple had one son.  Her husband placed her in three films including Isabel in 1968 and the Act of the Heart in 1970 which won the Canadian Film Award for Best Actress. She has received recognition for her dramatic talents with a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) and an Oscar nomination for the role in Anne of a Thousand Days. released in 1969. In 1973 she again won Best Actress from the Canadian Film Awards for her role in Claude Jutra's Kamouraska. Divorced in 1973 the couple worked again in Final Assignment in 1980 and The Dance Goes On in 1991. She won a Genie Award in 1980 as Best supporting Actress and in 1981 for Performance by an Actress in a leading role which she earned again in 1989, 1994, and1998.  She acted in numerous films in the 1970's and early 1980's with top male stars of Hollywood. After a long departure she returned to Quebec to be in two films by Michael Brault. She has continued to work mainly in independent films. In 2010 she earned the Best Performance by a Female from the Canadian Comedy Awards for The Trotsky. In 2013 The Canadian Screen Awards honoured her with Performance by and Actress in a Leading Role in Still Mine.

Born February 2, 1939, Southport, England. Died September 22, 2010, Toronto, Ontario. In 1961 Jackie married Zalman Yanovsky, co-founder of  musical group The Lovin' Spoonful. The couple had one daughter before they divorced in 1968. Jackie began a career in acting in 1966 and would appear in over 50 films during her career. In 1969 Jackie earned a Canadian Film Award for Best Actress for the television film Dulcima. In 1976 she began her acting career on stage at the famous Stratford Festival in Ontario with the role of Portia in the Merchant of Venice. She worked in numerous films including The Grey Fox, 1982, The Dead Zone, 1983 and did voice over in the animated anthology Heavy Metal in 1981. In 1985 she appeared in Anne of Green Gables. Later she played Hetty King in the C B C TV series Road to Avonlea in the 1990's. She also played Mother Mucca in the television adaptations of More Tales of the City and Further Tales of the City. In 1987 she would co-write, produce and direct A Winter Tan. In 2001 she earned the Earle Grey Award for her contributions to arts and entertainment from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. In 2005 she receive the Governor General's Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. In 2006 she was in the Film The Sentinel and also appeared in the TV series Smallville.   Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2011)

Born November 10, 1923, Toronto, Ontario. Died March 7, 2008, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England. Most of Kay's professional acting career was in Great Britain.  She first appeared in the Limping Man in 1953. In 1959 Kay married Jack McNaughton (died 1990). She appeared in some 22 films with her last appearance being in Riders in 1993. She was also a popular performer in British television series in the 1950's and 1960's. Source: I M D B, Online  (accessed 2022)

Born October 3, 1973, Guelph, Ontario. Acting seems to be in the family blood as her grandparents ran and performed in a theatre company in the Netherlands and her father was a high school dram teacher. At six she began taking ballet and later performed  with the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto. She changed to acting when she was 15 and performed on stage while she was still in high school. In 1991 she appeared in a commercial for Coca-Cola. On television she had roles with The Kids In The Hall, Are you Afraid of the Dark? , and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.  By 1994 she was in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. making a name for herself in acting on television with Party of Five which ran from 1994 to 2000. After the sixth season she wanted the freedom from the TV show to pursue work in movies. Her talents have seen that she has had success appearing in over 30 movies. She earned the Saturn Award for Best Actress in the 1996 film Scream. In 1995 she married Jeff Colt but the marriage ended in 1998.In Scream 2 in 1997 she the MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance. In 1998 she was listed as on of 50 Most Beautiful People by People magazine, as 100 Sexiest Movie Stare by Empire magazine, and was included as one of F H M's sexiest women in the world. She has even played a real princess, Elizabeth Windsor in Churchill: the Hollywood years in 2004. In 2006 she work on stage at the Old Vic Theatre.  She has also written scripts for movies and is a known producer of movies. In 2007 she married Jeff Light but this marriage also ended in divorce in 2011. In 2009 Neve returned to Television staring on NBC's drama series The Philanthropist. She has also been guest star in numerous TV shows. Since 2012 she has been partners with J.J. Field and the couple have one and have adopted a second son. Hers is a career to watch. (2019) 

Born July 20, 1950, Fort McMurray, Alberta. The baby Rose Marie was named Tantoo by her grandmother. It was her grandmother to educated her in the Cree language and the traditions of her people. Tantoo has become one of North America’s most widely recognized Métis actors. In 1968 she married Fred Martin and the couple had one son prior to their divorce. She has earned a Grammy award for her work as a guest appearance on the TV program North of 60, one of numerous television shows in which she has appeared. Tantoo had a second son with actor Beaver Richards. In 1988 she married  actor John Lawlor and the couple had a daughter. She has also appeared in numerous films including Dances With Wolves (1990). She has also won the American Indian Festival, Best Actress, and the 1st Rudy Martin Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Native American in film for Legends of the Fall. In 1991 Maclean’s Magazine declared her Actress of the Year. In 2002 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada 'for her contributions to the growth and development of Aboriginal performing Arts in Canada, as a screen and stage actress, and as a founding member of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. Tantoo has her hands in cement on Neka'new'ak: The Aboriginal Walk of Honour, Edmonton, Alberta. On August 3, 2011 she, and fellow Canadian actor Margot Kidder (1948-2018), were arrested with others for protesting the proposed extension of the Keystone Pipeline. In 2017 she received the Earle Grey Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. She played a guest role in the popular Scottish series Outlander in 2018 and continues to appear in popular movie and television productions. In the fall of 2021 she was on of the recipients of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. In 2023 she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. (2022)

Born August 21, 1956, Mossley Hill, Liverpool, England. She immigrated as an infant with her family to Courtney, British Columbia. At 11 she lived with her grandmother in England and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Returning to Canada she completed High School and earned a scholarship at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She made her movie debut with director Otto Premanger in Rosebud in 1975. She then worked in television series including Quincy, Columbo and The Hulk before returning to the movies and live theatre. She has enjoyed stage work in both the U.S.A and in England. She has been married three times: 1977 to Larry Davis; in 1982 to Andre J. Lyson and in 1998 through 2004 to audio designer Mark Levinson. She has earned numerous awards including a Genie Award for best leading lady in 1980, 2 Gemini Awards (2006 and 2010) ad a 2010 Razzie Award with co-stars for worst actresses in Sex in the City 2. On September 9, 2009 she received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto.

Born August 27, 1976, Ottawa, Ontario. Sarah would grow up in Vancouver British Columbia where she worked in musical theatre when she was just 8 years old. . Sarah began professional acting with children's television shows, she got her break in 996 when she became Becky Connor # 2 on Roseanne, the popular television show about the Connor family . She has appeared in movies and television, including Ernest Goes to School;  Beyond Obsession;  Dead Man's Gun; Neon Rider, and for nine years she had a role  on the NBC comedy Scrubs. She took up her role as Becky Connor on the reboot of the Roseanne show in 2018.  When not acting Sarah can be found on the ski slopes where she is a qualified instructor. Sarah and her life partner lawyer Jamie Afifi became parents for the 1st time in may 2016. She is an ambassador for the Audrey Hepburn Children's Foundation and in 2009 was ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink for the Cure program. (2019)

Born December 4, 1947, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Died February 18, 2011, Toronto, Ontario. When she was six her family relocated Stephenville, Newfoundland. There were no public schools in the town at the time so these Jewish children attended Catholic School. At twelve the family was living in Toronto where Cayle started acting classes. Cayle began an acting career working the Canadian classic film Goin' Down the Road in 1970. Moving at first to Montreal and then to Los Angeles in California, U.S.A. , she finally settled in Toronto. In 1998 she met her husband, actor Dwight McFee. They married December 19, 1999.  Cayle appeared in TV series like Little Mosque on the Prairie and Queer as Folk and in theatre productions. She went on to have a career as a producer of award winning documentary films. In 2010 she filmed a sequel to Goin' Down the Road called Down the Road Again. The film was released posthumously in October 2011. Source: Obituary, Sootoday, Online (accessed 2012)

née Hawtrey. Born November 8, 1926, Toronto, Ontario. Died June 11, 2021, Toronto, Ontario. Kate was educated at Trinity College, Toronto. She began acting on stage at Hart House Theatre and then was off to England for a year with the Embassy Theatre, London. In 1956 she married fellow English actor John Clark and in 1959 the couple lived in New York City, U.S.A. . In 1963 their son was born. Sadly the couple divorced in 1967 and Kate returned to Toronto with her son. Here she appeared in numerous film and television productions. In 1980 she was well known when she appeared in the film Funeral Home. She worked well into the 2000's including doing voice for Grandma Bunny on the children's TV show Max and Ruby from 2002 through 2019. Source: Kate Hawtrey, I M D B, Online (accessed 2021)

Born July 10, 1923, Ottawa, Ontario. Died December 2, 2003, Montreal, Quebec. Suzanne began her career as an actor in New York City and then worked with the Comédie Française. In 1951 she played Desdemona in Orson Welles' film of Othello. She acted on stage in London, England, with Peter Ustinov (1921-2004) and the couple married in 1954. They had three children before divorcing in 1971. After some time in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. she relocated to live in Montreal in 1988. Source: Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2022)

née Marjorie Chandler. Born November 18, 1926, Windsor, Ontario. Died July 21, 1994, Watervliet, New York, U.S.A. When Dorothy was in her mid teens she adopted the stage name Dorothy Collins.  She was known locally in the Windsor-Detroit area for singing on the local radio. In 1942 at just 15, she became a vocalist with the Raymond Scott Orchestra out of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. She became a member of the orchestra's quintet and then the sextet which releases several records. In 1949 the orchestra was hired to appear on CBS Radio. In 1950 the orchestra moved to NBC with Your Hit Parade and Dorothy gained national acceptance. In 1952 she married the orchestra leader Raymond Scott (1908-1994) and the couple had two daughters before they divorced in 1965.  In 1957-58 she took leave from the show returning in 1959 for the show's final season. She became as a spokeswoman for Lucky Strike cigarettes appearing on various shows and became the first performer to appear on the new format, videotape in 1956. By 1963 she was working as co-host of the the popular TV show Candid Camera. Her singing career saw her release under her own name in 1955 a single My Boy-Flat Top and by 1958 she had released an album. In 1966 she began a ten year marriage actor Ron Holgate (1937-   ) and the couple had one daughter. .Her voice was heard on many radio and TV commercials throughout the 1960's. In the late 1950's she performed with the Municipal Opera Association of St. Louis on stage By 1971 she had made her debut on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Follies  winning her a Tony Award nomination as Best Actress in a Musical. In 1980 she was Dolly in Hello Dolly in Elmsford, New York, U.S.A. Source: Windsor Public Library, Online (accessed 2022)

Born July 26, 1920, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. Died March 27, 2002, Victoria, British Columbia. As a child Dorothy moved with her family to British Columbia. At the age of 18, Dorothy received a Licentiateship in Speech Arts and Drama from Trinity College of Music, London, England. Ten years later, she was named a Fellow of that College. Also while in her teens, she became secretary to Major William Bullock-Webster, superintendent of schools in British Columbia and an ardent supporter of school drama. In her position, Dorothy was instrumental in the foundation of the British Columbia Drama Association (now Theatre BC). She played “Mary” on The Carson Family, a C B C radio serial 1947-65 and other radio and TV roles through 1984. She was an original member, Totem and Everyman Theatres. She earned an award as Best Director in the 1955 Dominion Drama Festival. She was the first recipient, Jessie Richardson Award for Lifetime Achievement. She also won the Sam Payne Award for developing young talent. She was a charter member of the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 1988 Dorothy and her husband moved to Victoria, where she produced a CD of nonsense poems called The Other Day ..., performed by herself, with musical settings by Amanda Lince.. Source. The History of Metropolitan Vancouver – Hall of Fame  (accessed June 19, 2009.); BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, online (accessed 2024)

née Middleton. Born September 1, 1922, West Point Grey (now Vancouver), British Columbia. Died January 8, 2007, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.. Yvonne's mother was Marie De Carlo who was an aspiring actor. Her father abandoned the family when Yvonne was three years old and she went to live with her grandparents. At ten she and her mother were in Hollywood, California and she began dance school until their visas expired and they returned to Vancouver. Mother and daughter made many trips to Los Angeles where Yvonne entered beauty pageants. In 1941 with dancer and showman Nils Granlund pledging his sponsorship and offer of steady work Yvonne was back in the U.S.A. Within the year she quite dancing and landed her 1st movie role in Harvard, Here I Come.  She never looked back and had sang, danced and acted her way through 95 movie roles during her career. Television roles were also numerous on westerns Bonanza and The Virginian, but she perhaps left her most distinctive mark as Lily on the TV hit show The Munsters. In 1957 she earned a BoxOffice Blue Ribbon Award for her role in the Ten Commandments and again in 1964 for McLintock. In 1960 she was awarded two stars, one for movies and one for TV, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Yvonne had a daughter from her 1st marriage and she married for a second time Bruce Ross in 1955 and the couple had two sons, they divorced in 1974. In 1987 she won the Fantafestival Award as Best Actress in American Gothic. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

née Boissoneau. Born May 7, 1920, Winnipeg Manitoba. Died February 22, 2009, Toronto, Ontario. The outgoing young Laddie took courses and performed at the Montreal Repertory Theatre. Moving to Toronto and adopting her mother’s maiden name she took a fashion model position which lead her to fashion commentary. She  became a writer and on-air-host for the Laura Secord Music Box show, C F R B Radio. She worked with Monty Hall (later a famous U.S. game show host of Let’s Make a Deal) and acted in C B C radio dramas along with doing hundreds of radio commercials. In 1946 Laddie wore dark pancake make-up, brown lipstick and green nail polish to provide the best image on demonstration black and white television sponsored by Eaton’s Department Stores. In 1951 she married novelist, editor, critic, and advocate for the disabled James Burke (1917-2006). Their romance lasted 55 years. She became the first Canadian woman to appear on Canadian TV, September 8, 1952.  Laddie was named Liberty Magazine’s 1955 TV Demonstrator of the Year. After a brush with cancer, Laddie found a job with regular hours from 1970-1985 as Director, Public Relations Scarborough Public Libraries. On vacation she travelled to Morocco and  upon return she sold her travel story. Thus began a journalistic career that would cover 80 countries. She was presented with the first Lifetime Achievement Award, 2001 by the Travel Media Association of Canada. Sources: Northern Stars Online (accessed March 2009): Canadian Broadcast Museum Foundation, Online (accessed March 2009); Obituary, Globe and Mail February 28, 2009, Online Accessed 2009. Personal knowledge.

Born February 1, 1967, Montreal, Quebec. Died December 1, 2016, Toronto, Ontario. Jo-Anna hosted the Wednesday night open mike at the Toronto Spirits Night Club and Standing on the Danforth Club for 16 years. She would booster the career of many comedians. She died suffering from ALS unable to perform or speak. In 2012 she was presented the Canadian Comedy Awards' Phil Hartman Award for outstanding lifetime contribution to the Canadian comedy community.  In 2023 she was inducted into the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame as a Creator.  Source: Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame Online (accessed 2024)

Born December 4, 1921, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died April 20, 2013, Neauphle-le-Château, France. Known as 'Winnipeg’s Sweetheart', this glamour actress of the 1930’s and 1940’s had a real star status in Hollywood. She began her career in 1926 and had 23 credits behind her by 1948. In 1938, at 17, she was awarded at the Academy Juvenile Award. In 1941 Deanna married assistant movie director, Vaughn Paul  and they divorced in 1943. In 1945 she married a second time to writer/actor, Felix Jackson (1902-1992). The couple had one daughter but were divorced by 1949. Then, she simply dropped out of the Hollywood life. In 1950 she married producer/director Charles Henri David (died 1999) and the couple lived in a farmhouse near Paris, France, with her daughter and their son. She did not provide an interview of any kind after she 'dropped acting'.  Up until her death fan mail continued to be sent to the reclusive actor.  Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

Born May 16, 1931, Montreal, Quebec. An actor, director and writer, most of her work has been done in the French language. One of her TV series, Moi et l'autre, 1967-1971, was considered the biggest comedy hit in the history of Quebec TV. Her stage productions earned her acclaim and awards. In 1982 she earned a Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in The Plouffe Family ( Les Plouffe) .  Her first film C't'a ton tour Laura Cadieux was so successful that it required a sequel, Laura is Back or Laura Cadieux...la suite! In 1994 she became an Officer in the Order of Canada and in 2000 she became an Officer of the National Order of Quebec. In 1999 she received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for her work in television. In 2002, she produced a new comedy fantasy, L'Odyssée d'Alice Tremblay. In 2003, taking advantage of the success of her motion picture characters, Filiatrault produced a television miniseries for TVA, Le Petit monde de Laura Cadieux (2003), before tackling a new film Bittersweet Memories (Ma vie en cinémascope)  in 2004 depicting the biography of singer Alyse Robi. In 2006 Denise received a lifetime achievement Jutra Award.  (2019)

née Olga Helen Laruska. Born October 31, 1928, Edmonton, Alberta. Died July 27, 2019, Hidden Hills, California, U.S.A. While in high school Diane began performing on stage and also appeared in local theatre productions. In the 1950's and 1960's she established herself as an actor in some 20 movies. In 1951 she had married Andrew Allan (1907-1974) but the marriage only lasted two years. In 1954 she Married Joel Murcott (1915-1978) but this marriage was also short lived. In 1961 she married dentist, Harold Rowe (1923-1994). In the 1960's she was in demand to appear in guest roles in television. She appeared in some 50 different roles in such main time shows as The Wild Wild West, Parry Mason, The Big Valley, My Three Sons, Ben Casey and The Fugitive. By the 1970's she became more interested in playing the role of mother to her three children. She has also expressed her talents as an artist and an accomplished musician. Source: Find A Grave, Online (accessed 2020)

Born July 6, 1943,  Montreal, Quebec. This actor has appeared in numerous movies since she began her career in 1965 in the role of Bronwyn apposite Charlton Heston in The War Lord and James Steward in Shenandoah. That year she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best New Star of the Year - Actress. She married three times.1966 to 1975 she married Michael Tolan and the couple had a daughter. In 1972 to 1975 she was married to Ron Waranch. In 1980 to 1983 she was married to  Alan Horowitz;  Maternity leave caused a crimp in her career but she maintained her career with numerous guest appearances with day time drama in TV series such as Days of Our Lives and General Hospital and with prime time evening television shows such as NYPD Blue, Monk, and Without a Trace. In 2003 she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Screen Actor's Guild. (2018)

Marcelle Françoise Maximilienne Nicole Germain

 

née Landreau. Born November 29, 1917, Montreal, Quebec. Died February 11, 1994, Montreal, Quebec. Nicole began her acting career in 1939 on radio and was voted the French Canadian Miss Radio in 1946. She enjoyed a successful career in French language films in the 1940’0 and 1950’s. By the mid 1950’s she was a television journalist and moderator. She was co-chairman of the 1960 Christmas Gift Campaign for the Quebec Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association which raised gifts for Quebec's hospitalized mentally ill. For her efforts to promote the French Language she was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1974. Source: Cinema in Quebec, The talkies and Beyond, 1930-1952, Online (accessed 2025)

Marie studied at the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Québec. She has appeared in numerous roles on stage. She has also appeared in several television series including  Nos étés, Smash, La chambre numéro 13 and Fortier.  In 2011 she became a Member of the Order of Canada recognizing her work as an actor, director, playwright, and artistic director of Carrfour international de théâtre.

née Gerber. Born October 4, 1937, Edmonton, Alberta. Died March 2, 2014, Sharon, Connecticut, U.S.A. When she was just 15 she became a member of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. In 1963, wearing a tight fitting sweater, she was featured in Playboy magazine as one of the girls from Canada. The next year she began acting appearing in four television series, Mr. Novak, My Three Sons, Perry Mason, and Wagon Train. She also did some stage work at the Ivar Theatre in Hollywood, California, U.S.A. She stared with Elvis Presley two time in Girl Happy in 1965 and in Harum Scarum 1965. In 1966 she met her life partner, Terry Southern (died 1995), and the couple moved first to New York City, U.S.A. and finally settled in Connecticut. From 1973 through 1995 she taught ballet in Berkshires area of New England in the U. S. A. In 2005 she published her autobiography Trippin' with Terry Southern: What I Think I Remember which won the Independent Publisher Award Silver Medal. Source: Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2020)

Born November 8, 1945, Haltern, Germany. Luba's family immigrated to Canada in 1951 and settled in Ottawa, Ontario. This petite (she is only 1.5 meters tall) comedienne  graduated from Montreal's National Theatre School. She began her acting career on stage at the Stratford Theatre in Ontario. In the 1980's she was featured in an education series of TV shows on computers called Bits and Bites which aired throughout north America on Public Television stations. She went on and worked on such shows as Bizarre and did some of the voices in Care Bear animated features. She became a welcome addition to Air Farce where she is known for her impersonations of Sheila Copps, Pamela Wallin, Hanna Gartner,  Queen Elizabeth, Kim Campbell, and even Donald Duck. As part of the Air Farce tem she has won 15 ACTRA Awards, a Juno, the Maclean's Honour roll and was one of the 1st Canadians inducted into the International Humour Hall of Fame. In 1996 she received the Outstanding Achievement Award from Women in Film and Television  Air Farce won in 1998 the Governor General's Award for Performing Arts. for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. She speaks Ukrainian fluently and has been featured in Ukrainian films.  In May 2012 she debuted he one-person show LUBA, Simply Luba at the Berkeley Street Theatre in Toronto, Ontario. She does not like to publish the year of her birth.

Born March 5, 1935, Outremont, Quebec. Died July 12, 1991, Montreal, Quebec. Luce became interested in music and the arts as a child. She studied for five years with William Graves at the National Film Board of Canada and also for some years at the famous Actors Studio in New York City, U.S.A. While her acting career began on stage she is best remembered for her film career where she appeared in 20 French language films. She married Guy Borremans (1934-2012) and the couple had at least one son.  She also had a career in direction creating biographies of strong Canadian and American women. She also directed in 1978 the film D'abord Menageres looking at the status of women in Quebec. At the time of her death she was composing an interview list of contemporary women actors. In 1991 she was presented the first Prix Iris from the National Film Board of Canada. 1991-1998 the Prix Luce-Guilbeault Award was presented to the best young promising actor or actress in Quebec. In 2000 the National  Film  Board of Canada released the feature length iographical documentary, Luce Guilbeault, Exploractriece. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2024)

Born April 27, 1937, Regina, Saskatchewan. Died April 30, 2023, Stratford, Ontario. Patricia studied acting at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. She began acting in the United states and later went to London, England to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Patricia married fellow actor Leslie 'Les' Carlson (1933-2914) in 1967 and the couple settled in Toronto. The couple had one son who also became an actor before they divorced. In 1971 she performed on stage at the Tarragon Theatre, a place she would return to perform over the next few decades. She was also appearing on numerous television shows. Patricia will be remembered for her recurring role as the character Rachel Lynde in the television mini series Anne of Green Gables, all the TV sequels and several Anne movies. She also provided the voice of this character for the Public Broadcasting Services' animated series. She was nominated for a Gemini Award three times for her performance as Rachel Lynde and won the award in 1996. In 2008 she starred in the Harold Green Jewish Theatre production of Kindertransport in Toronto. Source: Veteran Actor Patricia Hamilton Played Fierce Matriarchs by Diane Peters, Globe and Mail, May 29, 2023. 

Born April 6, 1955, St. John’s, Newfoundland. At 17 she worked touring for the summer with the Newfoundland Traveling Theatre Company and the following year she relocated to Toronto, Ontario for more theatre work. In 1973 she and her thespian friends for med CODCO, a Canadian comedy troupe. In 1992, along with Rick Mercer, she was part of the group that created the TV series This Hour has 22 Minutes. She has played numerous roles of both men and women on the show. She has earned 18 Gemini Awards and three Canadian comedy awards for Best Writing in a Comedy Series for her work on 22 Minutes and CODCO. From 1996 through 1999 she was married to Paul Hannon and the couple had two children. She toured with a one woman show; Wedding in Texas and Me, Dad and The Hundred Boyfriends. In film  in made for TV films Secret Nation and Bruce McDonald’s Wierdos. In 2006 the TV series on CBC Life and Times aired Keeping up with Cathy Jones. (2017)

Born December 5, 1957, Montreal, Quebec. This accomplished actor played Alana on Street Legal (CBC series) and Emily on Jake and the Kid ( Global TV Series). She is also a regular on the CBC series Newsroom. Her TV guest roles have included Aderly, Night Heat, My Secret Identity and many more. She also enjoys live stage work and has played various roles at the famous Stratford Festival located in Ontario.

Born October 17, 1948, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Died May 13, 2018, Livingston, Montana, U.S.A. Margot's family moved a lot during her early years and she suffered from some mental problems including attempting suicide at 14. While attending Havergal College, a girls boarding school in Toronto, Ontario Margot gained an interest in acting. Graduating in 1966 she had her 1st acting job in a 'short' film. After working in Canadian TV series she relocated to Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. in 1970. In 1975 she married novelist Thomas McGuane. The couple had one daughter but this marriage lasted two years. In 1979 she married actor John Heard but  the marriage only lasted 6 days. In 1983 she married Philippe De Broca but the marriage only lasted one year. Margot was to date Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau in real life and become the girl friend of Superman in the movies. She appeared in all four of the Superman movies. She has over 80 movie and major TV productions to her credit.  Her career was stalled and she was injured in a serious car crash in 1990. She then became bankrupt. In 1996 she suffer ed a public breakdown. She would pick up her career in the 2000's with movies and in 2004 a TV series which was a Superman spin-off and the series Brothers and Sisters.  Source: I M D B < Online (accessed 2007); Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2019)

née King. Born July 25, 1925, Toronto, Ontario. Died January 6, 2007, Toronto, Ontario. Charmion graduated from University of Toronto (U of T). Her acting career began with appearing in the Crest Theatre's Straw Hat Players on their summer tour of the Muskokas. She was soon on stage at the famous Stratford Festival and went on to Broadway in New York City, U.S.A. in the play Love and Libel. She also appeared in such television roles as Josephine Barry in Anne of Green Gables, as Rose Kennedy in the Women of Camelot, The Wind at My Back, and House of Pride. In 1962 she married the award winning fellow actor Gordon Pinsent (1930-2023) and became step mother to his two children. The couple had two children, one of whom, Leah, followed her parents into acting. In 1988 she had a role in Shadow Dancing. Source: Charmion King, Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2024)

Born February 21, 1952, Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a child she loved dance and joined the Russia Folk Ensemble where she danced and was a choreographer for fifteen years and briefly studied Jazz dance at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Happiest when she was on the stage she relocated to Toronto in 1977 to pursue acting as a career. She first appeared in commercials which led to small TV roles and then relocating to Los Angeles in 1983 she landed recurring TV roles on successful TV shows such as Hill Street Blues. She also had a successful movie career beginning in 1984 with the film He’s Fired, She’s Fired. Her career has  included earning a Genie nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In 2013 she entered the would of video games. She has married twice to Don Cilinsky and in 1996 to Manolin Kourtikakis and has one daughter. In 1994 she relocated to Toronto appearing with Donald Sutherland in a made for TV movie. She also returned to police presence on TV in the 2001-2004 series Blue Murder where she earned two Gemini Award nominations again for best supporting actress. She continues to work on TV shows and movies in Canada. (2018)

Born August 5, 1951, Shawinigan, Quebec. She began a career as a teacher but did not find it to her liking. In 1971 she appeared in her 1st movie Mon enfance à Montréal and has a distinguished career not only in French language films and television but also in English language films. In 1980 she appeared in a dinging role in the film musical Fantastica. Here solo singing career is like her acting, bilingual with single discs and LP’s in both languages. (updated Sept 1, 2014)

née Kilmonis. Born May 30, 1936, Montreal, Quebec. In 1948 she moved to Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. where she studied at Hollywood High School and Los Angeles City College and the University of California. Her 1st TV appearance was as a guest on the George Burns and Gracie Allen show and then the Roy Rogers Show.  This actress began her career in films in 1954 in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  She has mainly appeared in lesser-known films such as Pterodactyl Women from Beverly Hills. She also continued to appear in numerous TV shows and was popular on TV western and TV detective shows. She made regular appearances on Game shows such as Hollywood Squares. In 1974 she hosted the show High Rollers for two years. In 1976 she married Webster B. 'Webb' Lowe Jr., a restaurant executive.  During the 1980's she did voice for cartoon shows such as the Flintstones and the Smurfs. Turning to the live stage she performed extensively in such musicals as Peter Pan. In the 1990's she once again did numerous guest appearances on TV .In 1995 a Golden Palm Star was placed for her on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. In 2002 she earned a Golden Boot Award for her work on western TV shows. In 2006 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the 2000's she once again took to stage work. On August 24 she was inducted into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame.

née Lillie. Born May 29, 1894, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Died January 20, 1989, Henley-on-Thames, England. Bea became her performing career as a child on stage with her mother and sister. In England the tri made their London debut in 1914.January 20, 1920 she married Sir Robert Peel (1898-1934), fifth Baronet, who worked as a used car salesman. The couple were dependent on her theatrical income throughout their marriage. Lady Peel separated from her husband but never became officially divorced. They couple had one son.  By 1924 she had her debuted in New York City, U.S.A. and by 1926 she was appearing in movies. During World War ll (1939-1945) she was a darling of the troops as she entertained them. In 1942, just before appearing on stage , she learned that her son had died during his service. In 1948 she met singer and actor John Philip Huck who became a friend and companion for the rest of their lives. In 1945 she earned the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Female Performance in a Musical. She won the Award again in 1948. In 1953 she earned a Tony Award for her revue An evening with Beatrice Lillie. In 1954 she won the Sarah Siddons Award and would win two additional Tony Awards in 1958 and 1964. She appeared on Broadway stage up to 1964. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her portrait is in the collection of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her friend John Huck died one day after her death. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2010)

Born August 3, 1969, St John's, Newfoundland. An accomplished TV and movie actor, she always wanted to act. She took local classes in St John’s Newfoundland until she discovered theatre school. After university she attended the Ryerson Theatre School for Acting in Toronto. She had her 1st role in Family Pictures in 1993.  She Married actor and director Peter DeLuise  in 2002 and the couple have one son. To date he most notable roles are Dr. Greene in Fifty Shades of Grey and Mrs. Briggs on Strange Empire for which she won the Leo Award from British Columbia for Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series. (2019)

Born 1941?, perhaps in Toronto, Ontario. Mari-Lou was a model and actress who in the mid 1960’s was introduced to skydiving by Canadian champion  skydiver Darrell Henry. In May 1964 she placed second in several women’s sky diving events at the National Championships and in July 1966 she was overall Champion woman skydiver. In September 1964 she became the 1st woman skydiver to perform in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s international Air Show at the Canadian National Exhibition. She was not only an actor but she was a stunt woman for movies, television and commercials. In 1970 Life magazine did a photo layout of some of Mari-Lou’s achievements.  Sources: Mari-Lou MacDonald  (accessed June 2015) ; Life Magazine September 25, 1970 Online, (accessed June 2015) ; Ottawa Citizen September 2, 1962 Online, (accessed June 2015) Suggestion submitted by Bernard Pelletier.

Born October 9, 1953, Toronto, Ontario. Died August 1, 2019, British Columbia. Barbara graduated from the University of Windsor in Ontario and shortly after graduation she began her acting career. As a stage actor she performed at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. as well as stages in New your City and Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. In 1979 she married Alan Scarfe and the couple had one daughter. An actor of television and movies she played in Star Trek: the Next Generation in 1987, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1993 and Star Trek: Generations in 1994. She also had numerous TV appearances in L.A. Law, the Luck of the Draw, and The Deserters for which she earned a Genie Award nomination. Source: I M D B, Online  (accessed 2022)

Born January 15,1947, Portland, Maine U.S.A.  Andrea's grandfather had been an amateur thespian and had changed the family Armenian name from Papazian to Martin. Like many youngsters she took piano lessons and had played piano at the Portland Art Museum. In 1965 she was crowned Miss Deering High and was a member of her high school drama club. After graduating from Emerson College, Boston, Massauchetts, U.S.A. she earned a role with a touring company. She has had guest appearances since the 1950’s in such series as Maverick, Carol Barnet Show, Superman, and doing voices on The Simpson’s. She visited Toronto Often and settled there in 1970 finding work on TV, in films and theatre. In 1974 she earned the Sitges Film Festival Best Actress Award for he role  Black Christmas. In 1976 she joined fellow Canadian John Candy, Dave Thomas, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis and Joe Flaherty on the TV series S C T V. She became a well known impersonator portraying top actors of the day. In 1981 she was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Variety Show for her S C T V work. In 1992 with her Broadway debut in My Favorite Year she won a Tony Award, Theatre World Award, and a Dram Desk Award for Best featured actress in a musical. She authored and performed in the one woman show Nude, Nude, Nude, Totally Nude  appearing across the United States and earning the 1996 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One Person Show.  She has been equally successful with movies and television guest appearances throughout the decades of her career. In 2017 she became a Canadian citizen.  In 2018 she was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. A proud mother of two sons, and now a grandmother she continues to perform on stage, TV, and movies often winning more awards for her performances. (2022)

née Hooker. Born February 14, 1927, Kitchener, Ontario. Died September 29, 2007, Fremantie, Australia. Lois ran away from home at fifteen to join the Canadian Women's Army Corps during World War 11 (1939-1945). She was quickly on stage as part of the Army Show in Canada. Later as part of the Canadian Auxiliary Services Entertainment Unit she was sent to England where she appeared next to such entertainers as Wayne and Shuster. When her true age was discovered she was discharged and she enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England. She became friends with fellow student Sir Roger Moore (1927-2017). They would re-unite during their careers in the James Bond film series. During her acting career she also used the name Lois Hooker. At 20 she moved to Hollywood and won the actress Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for a role with actor Shirley Temple (1928-2014). Between 1950-1955 she lived in Rome, Italy, making films and at one point becoming an amateur race driver. Visiting Paris, France, she met her future husband Peter Marriott (died 1973) and they married in 1957 settling in London, England. The couple had two children together. After the death of her husband she returned to Canada living in Fort Erie, Ontario. She appeared in numerous TV shows including, The Saint, with her old friend Roger Moore. While she is credited with some 68 roles in movies and TV she will perhaps be best remembered for her portrayal in the Ian Fleming's James Bond films as Miss Moneypenny. In her first appearance as Miss Moneypenny she even supplied her own wardrobe. Her last appearance in the Bond films was in a View to Kill, 1985. She wrote a column from 1979-1994 for the Toronto Sun newspaper using the pen name Miss Moneypenny. In 1994 she returned to England to live closer to her family. In 2001 she relocated to Perth, Western Australia, to live with her son. Source: I M D B Online (accessed 2021); Lois Ruth Hooker, Waterloo Region Generations, Online (accessed 2025)

Born November 17, 1978, London, Ontario. She began to show an interest in acting at the age of 7 but her artistic talents were originally brought out as a competitive figure skater. By the age of 13 she was performing Shakespeare at summer theatre camp. In high school she was active on the Student Council, participated in Crimestoppers and was a member of the Per Help Group. In the summers she worked at McDonald’s  fast food restaurants. In 1995 she received an award for appearing in an one act school play at the Sears Drama Festival. In 1998 she was working  on a Disney series. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from York University, Toronto, in 2001. She starred in the Time Traveler’s Wife which won  Best Breakthrough movie award at the National Movie Awards and in 2011 Sherlock Holmes which won the Best Action / Thriller Award. Well her career became noticed by the fans in Mean Girls she has appeared in numerous comedy and romantic comedy films. An active environmentalist she is a co-founder of the web site Green is sexy to help raise awareness about the environment. She lives in Toronto, preferring to travel rather than live in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. when she is required to work there. Sources: imdb (accessed  2012)

Born December 1,1926, Grand Mere, Quebec. Died May 21, 2018, North Bend, Washington, U.S.A. Allyn and her widowed mother moved to the United States when she was just one year old. Allyn become an actor appearing in films from the 1940's through to the 1980's. In 1948 she married Adolph Green, (1914-2002). She appeared on stage, on Broadway TV, and films. A listing of her television appearances is like a listing of the classics, Bonanza, The Walton's, and Dynasty, just to name a few of the shows in which she appeared. She married Adolph Green (1914-2002), a lyricist, in the mid 1940's but they divorced in 1953. She married a second time to actor George Gaynes (1917-2016) and the couple had two children. She retired from acting in 1993. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2020); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2020)

Born August 19, 1919, North Bay, Ontario. Died January 19, 1993, Phoenix, Arizona. U.S.A. As n actress she is best know for her appearance in the movies: Penrod and Sam, 1931, A Family Affaire, 1937,  Last of the Warrens, 1936, and Band of Outlaws, 1936. Her last film was Escort Girl in 1941. She was married on November 1, 1937 to David Clark. McCoig 1915-1982), a Universal Studios publicist. She married a second time to Robert Franklin Stump (1908-1981), a Hollywood, chiropractor in 1946 but this marriage only lasted one year. In 1948 she married for a third time to Clarence Edward Erickson (1912-1987). Source IMDB online (accessed 2024); Find a grave online (accessed 2024)

née Emond. Born November 14, 1930, Montreal, Quebec. Died May 16, 2020, Montreal, Quebec. This actor, who would head up the National Theatre School, acted in the classics but also retained an active interest in new works of our writers and directors .In 1949 Monique married Pierre Mercure and the couple had three children. She has won the Palm d’Or for Best Actress at the world famous European Cannes Film Festival in 1977. In 1983 she won a Genie for Best Supporting Actress in Beyond Forty and she earned a second Genie for her role in Naked Lunch in 1992. Her third Genie was earned in 1999 as Best Supporting Actress in Conquest. She is an Officer in the Order of Canada in 1979 and was promoted to Companion of the Order in 1993. She has received the Governor General's Award for Lifetime Achievement and in 2006 she became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2021)

Born November 9, 1969, Nobelton, Ontario. Before entering the Drama program at Humber College Ramona worked on stage at Canada’s Wonderland theme park located just outside of Toronto, Ontario. On June 25, 1994 she married Fabio D'agostino and the couple have one  child. She has appeared mainly on Television and maybe best known for work  as Francesca on the TV series Due South for which she was nominated twice for Gemini Awards in 1997 an 1998. She has appeared in roles in addition TV series as well as commercials for various Canadian companies. Ramona has co-hosted Living Romance on the W Television network. She has also enjoyed appearing on state in Sudbury, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario  and Toronto, Ontario.

née Miller. Born November 9, 1973, Vancouver, British Columbia. As a teen Gabrielle worked at many odd jobs including being a gas station attendant. She gave up working at her mother’s house cleaning business and attended the Breck Academy of the Performing Arts in British Columbia. By 2008 she has had over 50 different TV and movie credits, had won three Leo awards, and had maintained key roles in Robinson Arms and the award winning Corner Gas, the highest rated television program in Canada at that time. She shares her time between Los Angeles and Vancouver for her work and yet finds time to do charity time as well. In 2007 she travelled to Mali with World Vision and handed out trees, piglets and clean water to villages. She is also the spokes person for the VELA Association, a non-profit organization helping people with disabilities. She enjoys time with her dog Duncan and regularly works out with a boxing coach. Definitely a rising Canadian star to watch. Source: Official Gabrielle Miller web site  (accessed June 2008)

Born July 23, 1950, Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she was 11 her family moved to England for a couple of years before settling in Highland Creek, a village east of Toronto, Ontario. She and her brother modeled for the Sears catalogue as children and did some work for the CBC TV. While still a teen she was in Hollywood as a popular youth actor. One of her earliest appearances was in the TV Western The Virginian. She became popular on the TV – movie circuit and shared billing with some of the top talents such as George Peppard, Parnell Roberts, Jessica Walter, and Ida Lupino. She had numerous appearances on the top TV series of the 1970’s and 1980’s; Marcus Welby, Medical Centre, Love Boat, Man from Atlantis, Trapper John MD , to name a few. She had a recurring role as the ex-wife of the character Crockett (Don Johnson) in Miami Vice and played the mother on Doogie Houser, M.D. She appeared less often in T. V. series in the 1990’s and 2000.s. From the time she sold her first piece of art work at 11, Belinda continued to relax and express herself with painting. She works in both acrylic and watercolours and now enjoys having shows of her works.  Sources: Belinda Montgomery web site (accessed January 2012) ; imdb. (accessed January 2012)

née Morris. Born December 10, 1925. Died September 4, 2014, Toronto, Ontario. At 14 she was sent from England to Winnipeg, Manitoba as an evacuee child to protect her from the ravages of World War ll. She was chosen to participate in a Christmas telephone hook –up between refugee children in Canada and their British parents back home in England. At 18 she returned to the United Kingdom and completed studies as a nurse and midwife. While visiting Winnipeg to be a bridesmaid for a friend she met and fell in love with the grooms brother Victor Morris and they married in 1950. She became involved with the local theatre and radio drama at CBC Winnipeg. Resettling in Ottawa but the marriage broke down and she became a single mother to her two daughters. She worked on the CBC TV show Diplomatic Passport interviewing foreign diplomats. She won a position with CBC Toronto on the TV quiz show Flashback and held that position from 1962-1968. She became popular with her audiences and received five fan mail letters to one received by male counterparts. In 1970 she was let go from CBC because of her “Precious pronunciation” and strange style. She worked in Public Relations at Bell Canada and was the voice for the message “ the number you have dialed…”In 1971 she married for a second time to Stanley Smolensky and the couple settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. Sadly Stanley died within 5 months of their marriage and Maggie returned to work in Public Relations for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In later years she worked recording audio books. Source: Globe and Mail September, 2014. Suggested By June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario.

Born August 21, 1970, Vancouver, British Columbia. When she was 11 she became a member of the Vancouver Children's Musical Theatre and  when in high school she toured Europe with the Magee Secondary School Choir in her senior year.  While modeling in Europe she obtained a movie role in a film being done in Spain. She began her North American acting career with appearances in TV and movies in 1991.  She was in several  TV series, Dark Justice in1991, Models Inc. in 1994, and F/X the Series in 1996.In 1997 she was nominated fro a Gemini Award for her role as a guest on the popular TV series Due South.  In 1999 she married actor and director, Steven Roy.  The couple have three children. In 1999 through 2003 she appeared in the Matrix Trilogy, winning an Empire Award for Best Newcomer in 1999. In 2000 she earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female in Memento. She has kept busy with additional movies earning a Genie Award for Best Performance by and Actress in a Supporting Role in the romantic drama Snow Cake in 2006 and a Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Canadian Film in Fido. . Busy with numerous movies she has also tried voicing animated films such as the Clockwork Girl in 2013. Her career continues with her appearing in two to three films a year and numerous TV guest roles.  (2019)

Born March 16, 1950, London, Ontario. Kate began studies at York University but switched to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England. She was born in London, Ontario, and studied at York University and in London, England. She began her stage career in Bristol, England. and appeared in the British TV series The Onedin Line. In 1974 she joined the Comedy Theatre and later the National Theatre Company.  As an actress, she has appeared in films for over 30 years. She is at home in both cinema and TV. In the movie Up Close and Personal she worked along side of leading actor Robert Redford. A count shows 29 movies and TV productions since 1990 alone! In 1991 she earned a British Academy of Film and Television Arts  (B A F T A) for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. In 1993 she won a Gemini Award. She has also received Toni nominations for her work on Broadway. She has also worked on several TV specials including the mini series A Wrinkle in Time in 2002.

Born April 3, 1919, Marseille, France. Died October 28, 2008, Montreal, Quebec. At 20 years of age Clairette was working as a waitress in a canteen of a local French film studio and in 1939 she had her 1st film role.  At 21 she married. She adopted the stage name of Clairette. She began working in radio where she became known as a singer. She would make three movies during World War ll (1939-1945) and worked on stage and in variety shows. In 1949 she visited Quebec and by 1956 she immigrated to Quebec. She opened Chez Clairette when she held auditions to scout local artists helping to launch the careers of numerous French Canadian entertainers. She also continued to perform herself at Chez Clairette. She also performed occasionally on TV and opened an academy for singers at the home of her younger sister. In 2002 she was inducted as a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. In 2003 she was named a Member of the Order of Canada.  Her final public performance was in June 2008. Source: Repertoire des artistes du Québec, Online (accessed 2019)

Born March 4,1954, Toronto, Ontario. She was a waitress at the Firehall Theatre in Toronto when she convinced Canadian actor John Candy to listen to her comedy routine. She joined the Second City TV troupe in 1973.  She began her film career in 1980 and has appeared in such films as Beetlejuice, Dick Tracey, Home Alone, and such TV series as Tales From the Crypt. In 1981 she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. In 1988 she had the staring role in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. In 1992 she married production designer Bo Welch and the couple have two sons. She has also stared in additional Tim Burton productions including the Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie. In 2000 she won a Genie Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in the film the Life Before This. She played the mother in the two Home Alone movies. After 2000 she has done mainly voice over work for animated stories. In 2001 she won the Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture from the American Comedy Awards. In 2006 she won the National Film Board Review for Best Supporting Actress in For Your Consideration.  In 2016 she was playing in the series Schitt's Creek.  and won the Canadian Screen Award for Bst Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role for this series. Her role also garnered her an ACTRA Toronto Award for Outstanding Performance.  She has won two Canadian Screen Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, at the 4th Canadian Screen Awards in 2016 and the 5th Canadian Screen Awards in 2017.

Born January 31, 1922, Montreal, Quebec. Died May 9, 2013, Montreal, Quebec. Hugette began her acting career in 1939 on stage playing in the great classics of French theatre. In 1952 she was Miss Radio-Television. In the 1950's she worked regularly with Théâtre du Nouveau Monde and appeared in many works by Michael Tremblay. She is also well known for her work in television productions.  Her marriage to Marcel Alexandre, with whom she had two children had sadly ended in divorce.  In 1973 she married Gratien Gélinas who was a pioneer in Quebec theatre. In 1984 she was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Canada and this was promoted to Champion in 1996. In 1998 she earned the Prix Gemeaux de la mailleure actrice de soutien pour son role de Marie-Rose Julien dans, Sous le signe du lion. In 1999 she became an officer in L'Ordre nationale du Québec. Source: Homage à 56 femmes d'exception changé le Quebec. Editions spéciale 7 jours.

Born January 4, 1967, Ville-Emard, Montreal, Quebec. She started her career as a model in 1982.. By 1996 she was acting with a major role in a TV series Lance et Compt.  In 1990 and 1991 she earned a Gemini Awards for her work in Les filles de Caleb and L'or et le papier. Since 1991 Marina has been the spokesperson for the Tel-Jeunes kids talk-help program. In 1995 she began performing on stage. She married Serge Postigo in 1996 and the couple have one child.  In 1998 she appeared in the miniseries The Sleep room and the following hear she was the Canadian Horror series, The Hunger. By 2009 she was hosting an afternoon radio show in Montreal. In 2012 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. (2019)

Born August 25, 1903, Montreal, Quebec. Died September 14, 1996, Montreal, Quebec. Rose dropped out of school as a teen and worked in a shoe factory to help provide for her family of 20 siblings. She had actually appeared on stage when she was just 12. Rose was a pioneer of Burlesque theatre and comedy in Quebec. She met Olivier Guimond and the two became favourite performers throughout the province, she as La Poune and he as Ti-Zoune. In 1928 she became director of the Cartier theatre in the Saint-Henri district of Montreal. In 1936 she was director of the Theatre national and for 17 years performed to sold out crowds. She also recorded a series of sketched and comedic songs as the first Quebecoise artist to record with R C A Victor. In 1958 she began to perform on the Cabaret scene. In 1960 she debut on TV in a play called Deux Valses.  She had appeared in commercial for TV, films and in most of the French language soap operas on TV of the day. In 1974 she was back on stage and was well into a career in comedy to 1993 when she was in her 90's.  In 1983 she was awarded the Felix Award and in 1991 she earned the Prix Victor at the Festival juste pout rire (Just for Laughs). She was also inducted as a knight of the Ordre national du Québec. The city of Montreal named a street in her honour. In 2023 she became a member of the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame (accessed 2024)

Born December 4, 1968, Point La Nim, New Brunswick. Died December 25, 2021, Toronto, Ontario. Candy attended Dalhousie Regional High Scholl where she enjoyed various sports. After graduating secondary school she  entered St Thomas University, Fredericton and followed this up with a legal secretary course at the Maritime Business College. Her legal secretary course led her to attend Dalhousie Law School where she graduated as the first Aboriginal law student in Canada to be valedictorian of her graduating class. in 1999. While a law student she served as president of the Dalhousie Aboriginal Law Student Association. She took a job with a law firm but soon recognized that corporate law was not her true calling. Her second job was was with the Nova Scotia Department of Education. She was soon a contributor to the C B C Radio program, Definitely Not the Opera and wrote a regular column on The Next Chapter. She also served as a host of the radio show Q. She also wrote a series for the Halifax Daily News called Mi'kmaq History Month.  She was soon doing her own show called, The Candy Show, on A P T N TV. She also enjoyed being on the Canadian comedy club circuit. In 2011 she produced her first film, Building Legends: The Mi'kmaq Canoe Project. She appeared in the TV series Forgive Me, Sex & Violence and Trailer Park Boys. In 2016 she debuted her C B C daily radio show The Candy Palmater Show. During her career she had been nominated for an East Coast Music Award, a Canadian Screen Award for Best Direction in a Variety or Comedy TV Series, and for an A C T R A Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2017 she received the Bonham Centre Award for her contributions to the advancement and education of issues around sexual identification. Source: Obituary, Online  (accessed 2021)

Born May 22, 1923, Saint-Jovite, Quebec. Died May 24, 1976, Montreal, Quebec. After graduating from school she answered an advertisement that was offering acting course by the Montreal Repertory Theatre. At the theatre she was presented in various classical plays and went on to perform in some radio soap operas. In 1943 she appeared in on of the first Québécois films A la croise des chemins. She was one of the few actors who was performing in both official languages. In 1952 she appeared on television as Cécile in Les Plouffes. In 1955 she was crowned Miss Radio Television. In 1970 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. In 1958 she became the widow of Basil Zarov. The couple had one son. In 1975 she made her last stage appearance in The Devine Sarah at the famous Stratford Festival. The provincial government of Quebec has created the Prix Denise-Pelletier which is presented to individuals for an outstanding career in the performing arts. Source: Hommage à 56 femmes d'exception qui ont changé le Québec. Editions spéciale 7jours. 2021

née Smith. Born April 8, 1892, Toronto, Ontario. Died May 29, 1979, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A. Gladys Smith become seriously ill with diphtheria and is baptized by a Catholic priest and has her middle name changed to Marie. In 1900 her mother, having been left alone to raise her three children, suggests her daughters Gladys and Lottie be cast in a play. January 8, 1900 'Baby Gladys Smith' makes her stage debut at the Princess Theatre, Toronto in the play The Silver King. By 1905 Gladys is in Manhattan, New York, U.S.A. sharing a room with future film star, Lillian Gish (1893-1993) and her family. In 1907 Gladys take the name Mary Pickford. She began her screen career in the silent films in 1909 with the Biograph Film Studio in New York City, U.S.A. The following year she becomes the company's second 'Biograph Girl' after fellow Canadian Florence Lawrence (1886-1938) leaves. January 7, 1911 she married, in a secret ceremony, Owen Moore but it was a strained marriage. She would divorce him to marry Douglas Fairbanks on March 28, 1920 when they were known as the King and Queen of Hollywood. As an actor she stands above the rest of her era and earned herself a Best Actress Academy Award (1929) at the second annual event. She was the first Canadian Born woman to have won an Academy award.  Her sweet girlish looks and her long ringlets endeared her to the the fans who knew her as "America's Sweetheart". Her dedication to realism in her work sometimes meant getting down into real mud! Her talents went beyond her sincerity and heart melting appearance. She entered the film industry and became Hollywood's first female businesswoman "movie mogul" creating with her colleagues United Artists Studios. She was the 1st woman to make $1,000,000.00 a year in the U.S. Movie business!!! Mary and Douglas Fairbanks marriage did not survive the constant making of movies and being constantly in the limelight. They divorced in 1936. The following year Mary married actor and banc leader Charles 'Buddy' Rogers (1904-1999)  and they adopted two children. She remained to the end of her life, proud of her Canadian heritage. The Toronto Sick Kids Hospital is build on the site of her birthplace and around the corner there is an historic plaque and a monument. In 1999 she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame, Toronto. Catherdral City, California, U.S.A. has a Mary Pickford Theatre established in 2001, build complete with a bell tower and three-story lobby. In 2006 Canada Post issued a Canadian Postage Stamp in her honour. February 2011 the Spadina Museum, Toronto, staged performances of Sweetheart: The Mary Pickford Story, a one woman musical based on Mary's life. On August 20, 2019 the Toronto International Film Festival presented the first Mary Pickford Award. Source: Canada's Walk of Fame, (accessed 1999);  Canadian Encyclopedia, Online , (accessed 2009); Canada Post, Online (accessed 2006); Mary Pickford Award, International Press Academy, Online (accessed 2019)

Born September 24,1951, Plessisville, Quebec. Lorraine studied at the Conservatoire Lassalle  and the Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Montréal. She debuted with the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in 1973 in Mistero Buffo. That same year, she was a co-founder of the Théâtre de La Rallonge. She has directed works at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde where she is also been the artistic Director since 1992.   She has also worked with Compagne Jean-Duceppe, the Théâtre de Quat'Sous and for the Théâtre Denise-Pelletier. As a playwright she is known for her script and acting in the one woman play Madame Louis 14. In 1998 she received a Masque Award for best staging and production. In 2001 the National Theatre School of Canada, Montreal presented her with the Gascon-Thomas Award. Since the late 1990's Lorraine has also produced a number of series for television. In 2002 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. In 2014 she tried her hand at provincial politics running as a candidate for the Parti Quebecois but was not successful. (2019)

Born March 23, 1957, New York, New York, U.S.A. Amanda is the daughter of Canadian actor Christopher Plummer. Amanda attended Middlebury College and as a young adult she studied acting at the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Following her fathers love for acting she won a Tony in 1982 in Agnes of God.  She has starred in such films as The Fisher King, The World According to Garp, Pulp Fiction, Dallmake, The Last Angel, and Triggerman. In 1996 she won a Cable Ace Award for The Right to Remain Silent and an Emmy Award for her guest appearance on The Outer Limits TV show. With movies and TV she has had some 9 appearances in 2002 alone! In 2005 she was awarded a second Emmy for her appearance on in Miss Rose White, a Hallmark made for television film. She has also had success on Broadway and off Broadway stage performances.

née Lapointe. Born May 6, 1951, Chicoutimi, Quebec. A Twin, both she and her sister Pauline too to being actors. This actress has be recognized with nominations for Best Actress Genie Award in1980 and won the Best Supporting Actress Genie Award in 1987 for the film The Decline of the American Empire. In the film Sous-sol in1996 she won the Guy-L'ecuyer Award for Best Actress. She has also won two Gemini Awards in 1994 and 1996 for her work on TV. As if this was not enough she has written an novel, Jeanne Janvier and has written plays. Composing some 40 songs she has released 4 successful albums. In 2015 she had a staring role in the TV Series Marie-Louise and from 2012- 2015 Lance et Compte. She has been successful appearing in French language series for TV. (2018)

née Marie Bickford Dunn. Born November 8, 1898, Sarnia, Ontario. Died January 21, 1937, Hollywood California. Marie went to High school in California, U.S.A. and at 15 she was working as a secretary. Beginning her acting career during the silent film era she would appear in over 120 films. She was discovered by Hollywood mogul Mack Senate (1880-1960) in the 1910's. In 1918 she married Henry Charles 'Sonny' Gerke and the marriage ended in divorce in 1923. In 1922 she signed a contract with Warner Brothers Studios where she became a leading lady of films. In 1924 she married felloe actor Kenneth Harlan (1895-1967) but the marriage only lasted three years. She was 'let go' from Warner Bros. in 1926 and she began to play secondary roles. She began to abuse alcohol making it difficult to obtain good roles in film. By 1935 she was reduced to playing 'bit parts' with her las film being in 1936. I M D B accords her with 126 film credits. She squandered most of her earnings and died in poverty. Her death prompted the film community to open the Motion Picture & Television House and Hospital. Marie Provost has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Source: This Week in History: 1937 A Hollywood queen meets a grisly end. By John Mackie, Vancouver Sun January 27, 2017, Online (accessed 2018); I M D B, Online (accessed 2018)

Born December 29, 1917, Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), Ontario. Died December 12, 1963, Laguna Beach, California, U.S.A. The Read family relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia and when Barbara was in her mid teens in the mid 1930's Barbara moved to California, U.S.A. to live with an aunt. While watching the filming of a movie on site she was spotted and offered a screen test! Needing experience she joined the Laguna Beach Players Theatre where she acted for two years. At 19 she signed a contract with Universal studios. In 1936 she had her debut in films in Three Smart Girls, with star Deanna Durbin (1921-2013). In the fall of 1936 she eloped with artist William Paul lll but within two months the couple were divorced. From 1937 through 1939 she appeared in nine films. In the next decade she had roles in 11 films including The Shadow series. In 1942 she married John Pershing "jack' Crawford (1923-2000)December 27, 1947, she married a second time to talent agent William 'Bill' Josephy (1909-1967) and the couple had two boys. Her last role was in 1948 when she appeared with actor Randolph Scott in the western movie Coroner's Creek. A third marriage happened in 1953 to actor William Whitney Talman lll (1915-1968) and had another two children. The couple divorced in 1960. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2017); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2017);Canadian Ingenuity: Film stars shone bright until tragedy closed the curtain, by Susanna McLeod, Kingston Whig Standard, July 10, 2024. Online (accessed 2025)

Born June 6, 1950. Pierrette is well known for acting in Quebec. She was nominated for a Genie Award twice for her role in It's Your Turn, Laura Cadieux, and the show sequel. She earned a Jutra Award for Best Actress for her work in the film:  Vic et flo ont vu un ours. In 2011 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. (2019)

Born 1949, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. Died August 31, 2016, Toronto, Ontario. Sandi attended the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. where she studied theatre arts earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  Sandi relocated to Toronto in the mid 1970's. She was an accomplished stage actor who was part of the George Luscombe Company at the Toronto Workshop Productions (now Buddies in Bad Times) and was one of the 1999 founding members of the Obsidian Theatre. One of her favourite shows was called The Seahorse. She also appeared in the Vagina Monologues with Jann Arden, The Crucible, and many more productions. Television and film roles also contributed to her working career but it was her love of the stage that kept her busy. She appeared for three seasons at the famous Stratford Festival including traveling to New York City with Much Ado About Nothing. She also worked with Karen Woolridge's Company, Johnson Girls where she inspired younger performers. She performed in the play Portia White: First You Dream in Nova Scotia which expressed her love of opera. She had also worked with the Canadian Opera Company or Opera Atelier productions. She would work on the first national symposium on non-tradition casting for Canadian Actors Equity Association, Talent Over Traditions in 1987. She would go on to work with the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (A C T R A) conference in 1989. In 1994 she was the first woman and first person of colour elected president of A C T R A Toronto. She received the New Pioneers Award for the Arts from Skills for Change. In 2008 she earned a Crystal Award for  in Women in Film and Television. She was also  founding editor and producer of Into the Mainstream, a casting directory of visible and audible minorities. In 2012 A C T R A named her Woman of the Year. In 2016 the A C T R A Share the Screen Awards were renamed in Sandi's honour. Source:  In Memorium: Sandi Ross By Jon Kaplan Toronto Now September 7, 2016 (online (accessed 2023) Not on Find a Grave 2025

née Bursteinova. Born March 13, 1925, Vienna, Austria. Died January 23, 2013, Toronto, Ontario. Susan's actual birth name was Zuska Zento Bernstein. She and her mother immigrated to New York, U.S.A. to escape the oncoming ravages of World War ll (1939-1945). She Americanized her name and began a long distinguished career on stage, TV, and film. She married Czech – Canadian opera star and actor Jan Rubes (1920-2009) September 22, 1950. The couple had three children. She played on TV soap opera The Guiding Light for ten years as well as numerous movie credits and a Tony Award for best debut on Broadway. She joined her husband to settle in Canada in 1959. She was the founder of the Young People’s Theatre in 1966, an organization she worked with for the rest of her life. In 1982 to 1986 she was head of the C B C Radio Drama and from 1987-1989 she was president of Family Channel. She was also a Board Member of the St Lawrence Centre. In 1975 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. Source: Obituaries. Globe and Mail, January 26, 2013  Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa Ontario. (2021)

Born February 28, 1957, Richmond Hill, Ontario. Although she studied physical Education at the University of Toronto it was acting that became he main interest. In 1980 she won the Du Maurier Search For The Stars’. In 1985 she had a role in the movie Anne of Green  Gables followed in 1987 with Anne of Avonlea. From 1990 through 1996 she had a major role in the TV series Road to Avonlea. During this time she commuted to San Francisco, California U. S. A. to work at construction with her husband Daniel Hunter. Meg became a licensed in construction and this second main interest in her life led her to a career as a TV handy woman. She hosted shows on home improvement for W network TV, the Canadian Women’s Network. From 1999-200 she hosted A Repair to Remember. She launched her won series Anything I Can Do. She also writes a home improvement column for the Toronto Star newspaper. She founded Ruffman Entertainment and has produced a video series of fun colourful projects that families can build together. In 2000-2001 she hosted the TV show Men on Women. She has also maintained her acting career and made an appearance on the acclaimed Canadian TV series Murdoch Mysteries. She narrated My Grandmother Ironed the King’s Shirt which was an animated film nominated for a Jutra Award and an Oscar. She is the National spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity. In 2003 she published ToolGirl columns as a book, How Hard Can it Be? She continued to act in movies an on television. In 2008 she made her directorial debut in the movie The Red Green Story: We-re All in this together. In 2017 she had a recurring role in the film Alias Grace filmed in Kingston, Ontario. In 2020 she had a recurring role in the TV series Avocado Toast. (2021)

Born November 2, 1917, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died June 11, 2012, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A. An actor on radio, film and television. She began her film career in 1935  and was a popular leading lady in western movies opposite such actors as Gene Autry and John Wayne.  She is perhaps best remembered for playing the role of Polly Benedict in the 1930's and 1940's in the Andy Hardy series with Mickey Rooney. .In 1939 she played the role of Careen O'Hara, Scarlett's sister in Gone With the Wind.  In 1942 she married David May and the couple had a daughter. In 1953 the couple were divorced. Ann retied in 1950 and did not appear in the final Andy Hardy film in 1958. In 1953 she married William Dozier (1908- 1991) a film and television producer. Later in life she took on the role of Mother-in-law on the Bob Newhart Show on television appeard in two films in the 1970's. Source: IMDB online (accessed 2024)

Born  June 12, 1962, Toronto, Ontario. A childhood dream of becoming a dancer helped propel this native Torontonian to fame as an actor, singer and noted talk show host.  Her 1st lead role was in Evita at the Limelight Dinner Theatre. She worked on soap operas in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. then returned home and kept busy acting in a variety of guest spots on television shows and a couple of movies. She also performed in musical theatre in Toronto.  From 1996-1998 she had her own TV Talk show but it was cancelled after receiving a poor critical reception.  Her role in the TV hit series Due South which ran from 1995 through 1999 was much more successful. In 2002 she married actor Paul Evans and that same year she was the voice of Mamma Bear in the Berenstain Bears.  In 2008 she starred as Khashoggi, a role usually played by a man in the Toronto production of the Queen musical We Will Rock You. As her acting career wound down she took a position with Arbonne, a multi lever marketing company becoming Executive National Vice President.

Born February 24, 1951, St. Thomas, Ontario. As a child she was not very health and spent a lot of time in hospital. However as a teen she was of good health and attended the Banff School of the Fine Arts. She also studied drama at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. In 1978 she got her big break when she won the Canadian Film Award as Best Lead Actress in the film In Praise of Older Women. In 1985 she won the Bronze Leopard Award at the Locano International Film Festival for her work in Desert Hearts. In 200 she earned a Genie Award for her portrayal of a drug addicted prostitute in We All Fall Down and another Genie Award in 2003 for Just Cause. She also appeared in numerous TV episodes in various top rated Television dramas. In 2004 she was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto. Source: Canada’s Walk of Fame online accessed July 2009

Born August 10, 1902*, Montreal, Quebec. Died June 12, 1983, Woodland Hill, California, U.S.A.. The parents of Edith Norma and Athole (pronounce Ethel) registered the birth of both daughters but did not include their first names. When she was just nine years old she saw a vaudeville show and simply declared that she would be on stage one day! Norma would go on to become an actress of great repute and would always claim to be the youngest of the sisters. After the father's business collapsed and the family found themselves impoverished the mother left her husband and reduced family moved from Montreal to New York City, U.S.A. in 1920 working as performers and models. It was tough times but eventually Norma would make it to Hollywood where she would become one of the great stars at MGM Studios by 1925. She would marry the famous studio executive Irving Thalberg (1899-1936) on September 29, 1927 in the wedding of the year! The couple had two children. With the movie transition to 'talkies' her Canadian accent, not really American but also not foreign, was an asset to Norma. She was the presented with the third top Actress Academy Award for her work in the film The Divorcee in 1930 She was the second Canadian woman to receive this award. She would be the first person to receive five Academy Award nominations for acting nominated an additional four times for the Best Actress award but only had the win in 1930. In 1938 she won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.  She retired from acting in 1942. She married Martin Arrouge (1914-1999) in 1943. Her life story has been chronicled in several published biographies of herself and of Thalberg. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. June 30, 2008 Canada Post issued a stamp in her honour in the series Canadians in Hollywood. In 2015 she was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame, Toronto.* Birth sometimes recorded as 1900. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014).: I M D B , Online, (accessed 2014); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2014)

née Thornton Born November 13, 1922, Montreal, Quebec. Died April 23, 2016, Lac Cornir, Quebec. Her first stage appearance was at the age of four in a passion play at church. In 1950 she studied acting under lee Strasberg at the Actor’s Studio, New York, U.S.A.. In 1952 she made her Broadway debut and went on to work in such hits as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Camelot. She also had numerous film roles and day time TV roles. She played the Mother Superior in the hit TV series The Flying Nun from 1967 through 1970. She had been black listed during the U.S.A. McCarthy era for active participation in the Civil Rights Movement. She was arrested during a Freedom March in Alabama. She was also a staunch supporter of the women’s right movement in the 1970’s. In the 1980’s she became the first woman to direct a short film for the American Film Institute. In the early 1990’s she retired to Victoria, British Columbia and later relocated to Saint-Hippotyte, Quebec. In 2010 she released a short film called Madeleine’s Method for the Actor’s Studio. She married Robert Sherwood and the couple had one daughter. Source: Mike Barnes, “Madeleine Sherwood; Star of Tennessee Williams Classics on Stage and Scene Dies at 93.” The Hollywood Reporter April 25, 2016. Online, (accessed 2017)

Born October 30, 1943, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Joanna began he film career in the mid 1960's with some 14 movies to her credit by the mid 1970's. In 1976 she married actor Sidney Poitier (1927-2022) and abandoned her career to devote herself to her family of two daughters who would follow the family into show business. Currently she is immersed in a successful career in interior decor. (2025)

Born June 8, 1921, Penticton, British Columbia. Died June 9, 1993, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Alexis began her long acting career as a teenager in summer stock in Canada before relocating to the U.S.A. “Discovered” while studying at college she was signed on to act for Warner Brothers Studios. In 1944 she married actor Craig Stevens (1918-2000). She was a leading lady in movies of the 1940’s and 1950’s playing opposite such leading men as Errol Flynn (1909-1959) in Gentleman Jim 1942 and San Antonio in 1945; Cary Grant (1904-1986) in Night and Day, 1946 and Clark Gable (1901-1960) in Any number Can Play in 1949. Her Broadway career saw her win a TONY Award in the musical Follies in 1971/72 and played in the TV series Dallas from 1984 -1990. She died just before the release of her final film, The Age of Innocence. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2014)

Born December 11, 1965, Toronto, Ontario. There was a lot of time to practice acting in Jessica's house.  There was always an annual Christmas skit, and trips to the theater with her director father. She had her first TV role at the age of  8.  In the mid 1960's she appeared in a TV movie with Lindsay Wagner and schoolmate Keanu Reeves.  Lately she has had roles in Touched by an Angel; The Outer Limits; ER;  and Due South. If her busy schedule between TV and movies allows it, she enjoys kayaking and rock climbing.  She is also a volunteer with environmentalist David Suzuki.

Born July 7, 1970, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Her father wanted to raise his children away from the hustle and bustle of American society and he moved his young family to rural Saskatchewan where Cree would live for eight years. This actress is more known for her voice than her face.  She has been doing voices for animated movies since 1985. She began with the “Care Bears Movie” and can also be heard in the cartoon shows of “Inspector Gadget”, “Rugrats”, and “Tiny Toons” among others.

Born 1934, Walkerton, Ontario. Died 1994. Betty graduated in broadcasting from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Metropolitan Toronto University). Betty began working in 1956 at C K C O-TV in Kitchener, Ontario. At first she was a writer of local commercials which in those days were performed live on TV. For a couple of years she left the TV station and worked as a teacher but by 1971 she was back with in television. She earned national television exposure as the first host of the C T V version of the popular children's program Romper Room from 1972 through 1975 as 'Miss Betty'. She returned in 1992 for the 20th anniversary special of the show. She also hosted shows such as Ladies First, The Flower Spot, Be My Guest, and Betty and Friends. She was also a frequent guest at the Canadian National Exhibition. In 1992 she was honoured at a Mayor Dinner in Kitchener which was followed with being Kitchener Citizen of the year from the twin cities Junior Chamber of Commerce. Betty married a sedond time to Ken Bauman and raised three daughters. In 1992 she became C K C O's community relations co-ordinatior. In 1992 the annual Betty Thompson Golf Classic was established to raise funds for breast Cancer education and research. She was a founding member of the club and had served as a past president. She was also a strong supporter of the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, the local Big Sisters organization, the John Howard Society, The United Way, and Parents Are People Too. In 1990 she was the special events chairman for the Ontario Summer Games.  In 1995 she was inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. In 1996 the Betty Thompson Youth Centre was named in her honour. Source: Who is Betty Thompson, Zonta Club of Kitchenerr-Warterloo online (accessed 2024); Not On Find a Grave 2025

née Chan. Born September 16 1958, Harbour City, California, U.S.A. Her parents divorced when she was five and she moved with her mother to Texada Island, British Columbia. At 16 they were living in Victoria, British Columbia. She studied for her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at Stephens College, Missouri, U.S.A. By 1883 she had roles in TV series such as Hill Street Blues, Cheers and Frasier. In 1984 she married Sam Simon, producer of The Simpson’s. The couple separated in 1991. Her breakthrough in movies was in the Fabulous Baker Boys. She has worked with Richard Dreyfuss, Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, and Jim Carey.  In 2001 she portrayed gossip columnist Louella Parsons in The Cat’s Meow. And starred in the Broadway revival of The Women. In other theatre she has won the Theater World Award for the off-Broadway play One Shoe Off. She is a popular choice for voice over for animated features such as Family Guy, Monsters, Inc., Stuart Little and others. In 2004 she became life partner with Phil Laak. In 2005 In 2005 she won the World Series of Poker and later that same year she won the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament.  After the series Out of Practice in which she appeared was cancelled in 2006 she began only to return to TV in 2008. Dividing her time between films and professional poker. In 2005 she won the World Series of Poker and later that same year she won the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament. In 2006 she began dividing her time between films and professional poker. She has appeared in several online TV poker events. In 2008 she retired from her poker career with the idea of treating it more like a hobby.  In 2012, she returned to Broadway in Don't Dress for Dinner and the following year she appeared on the London stage in Grasses of a Thousand Colors. Among the awards she has won  she has earned the Golden Gate Award – GLAAD Media Award for media professionals who increase the understanding of the LGBT community.

née Chan. Born  February 14,1960, Long Beach, California. In the mid 1960's her parents divorced and she lived with her mother and stepfather in Texada Island, British Columbia later moving to Vancouver. As a youth she wanted to be a dancer and studied at the Connecticut Ballet Company and later at the Throne Dance Theatre. However her career turned to acting with  a back injury after her debut in 1980 when she appeared in “FAME”  The following year she began acting career with a small part in the hit TV series Hill Street Blues. In 1983 to 1989 she was married to Tim Zinnemann and the couple had two children. in 1993 she dropped out of the acting scene. In 1994 she published her 1st novel Singing Songs which is about a young girl and her sisters living in the Northwest who are molested by their stepfather. Meg has stated that she had been abused by her own step father. In 1995 through 2002 she was married to John Calley. In 2002 she married Don Calame. In 2010 she was once again acting in a TV series. Her sixth novel appeared in 2007, Porcupine which was a finalist for the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize. In 2011 she appeared at the Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia. In January 2012 she stared in the Global Television mini series Bomb Girls winning a Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Actress in 2013.

Born May 3, 1970, Mont-Saint-Hillaire, Quebec. Died August 10, 1997, Kuuijjuaq, Quebec. As a teen she began her career with the role of Zoe in the soap opera Peau de banane and went on to do additional television shows. She was co-host of the Show Fort Boyard and The Débrouillardds with Gregory Charles.  She also worked on advertising campaigns for such companies as Toyota. She was a well known spokesperson for the Educ'alcool organization with promoted reasonable alcohol consumption. She was involved in the cause of disabled children and was spokesperson for Operation enfant soleil, hosting their annual téléthon. She died with her boyfriend Jean-Claude Lauzon in a plane crash near Ungava Bay, northern Quebec. Source: Hommage à 56 femmes d'exception qui ont changé le Québec. Editions spéciale 7 jours 2021.

Born March 10, 1957, Placentia, Newfoundland.  The family moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan after the father fell into a coma after a car crash. After appearing in the Canadian TV series Thrill of a Lifetime where she won a sitting for photographs for Playboy magazine she was chosen Playmate of the Month for November 1981 and was Playmate of the Year in 1982. She would life at the Playboy Mansion for over a year where she met her future husband musician, best known for being part of the rock group Kiss, Gene Simmons. This native Newfoundlander has been busy with appearing in 60 movies  since 1978. She made her debut in  “Of Unknown Origin” and she has been on the TV series Falcon Crest from 1978-1983, daytime drama with Days of Our Lives as well as Pacific Blue in 1996 and more recently Diaries of Darkness and My Guide to Becoming a Rockstar. From 2006 through 2012 she, along with her family, had a reality TV show, The Gene Simmons Family Jewels. It was during the show that Gene proposed to Shannon after some 20 years of being together. They married October 1, 2011.  Saskatoon City Council named Tweed Lane in her honour.  She has a video game featuring her voice and appearance called Shannon Tweed's Attack Of The Groupies. She has also narrated the reality TV Show Ex-wives of Rock

Born May 13, 1952, St John’s Newfoundland Mary caught pneumonia as an infant and was taken to live with two aunts and an uncle with whom she remained.  A bit of a rebel as a teen she became engaged to an American service man and took off to the U.S.A. When things did not work out she returned to Newfoundland and was in the right place when a Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) had a local opening. Her natural quick wit and vivacity meant she would never look back. She joined a the Newfoundland Traveling Theatre Company and ended up moving to Toronto to study theatre. However, another opportunity opened up and she left school to join a young group that would become well known as CODCO from 1987-1992. There followed in 1993 This Hour Has 22 Minutes. In 2003 she hosted May Walsh’s: Open Book and went on to create Hatching Matching and Departing for the CBC which won a Gemini Award. On a personal front she was fighting alcoholism which had began in her early teens. By 2005 she was awarded the Courage to Come Back Award by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She also wanted to participate in helping others and became the spokesperson for Oxfam Canada (an international aid agency). She became a member of the Order of Canada in 2000. Mary suffers from Macular degeneration, a condition that usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the vision field. From time to time she has served as a spokesperson for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. In 2012 she was presented with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts. Source Mary Walsh: an inferno of wit by Peter Feneck Good Times February 2007 pg 8-14 : Library and Archives Canada. Canadian Women in Theatre and Dance. (accessed March 2008) ;

Born March 8, 1945, Farnborough, England. Died November 14, 2016, Vancouver, British Columbia. The Wright family immigrated to Canada and settled in Saskatchewan when Janet was just a child. She married Brian Richmond and the couple had two children. In 1974 she and her sister Susan (died 1991), co-founded the Persephone Theatre Company in Saskatoon. Janet appeared in such popular TV shows as The Beachcombers and the King of Kensington. In Vancouver she worked at the Vancouver Arts Club where she appeared in and directed over 40 productions. She also had roles in other live theatre productions across Canada including the Stratford Theatre in Ontario. In 1992 she earned the Best Actress Genie Award for her role in the film Boardertown Café. In 1995 she became the first woman to take the role of King Lear in the Shakespearian play in Toronto. In 2003 she took Best Supporting Actress in a dramatic program or miniseries in Betrayed. In January 2004 her daughter Rachel Davis (1981-2004) her was fatally shot while intervening for a stranger being beaten in Vancouver. Janet and her husband Bruce Davis, founded the Rachel Davis Foundation to recognize bravery in young people. From 2004 to 2009 she played on the comedy TV show Corner Gas as Emma Leroy for which she won the 2006 Canadian Comedy Award for Pretty Funny TV Female. Source: Obituary Online,  (accessed 2022)

Born December 7, 1959, Toronto, Ontario. Died June 22, 2010, Toronto, Ontario. In 1989 Tracy was a founding member of the Toronto Augusta Company along with her future husband Don McKeller (1963-    ), whom she married in 2020.  One of Tracy's
first major film roles was in Highway 61 in 1991. As well as appearing in numerous films she had roles on television in such shows  as Kids in the Hall and Twitch City. In 2011 she was posthumously presented, along with co-star Molly Parker )1972-    ), with the Best Actress Award from the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists (A C T R A) for her role in the film Trigger. This role also garnered her a nomination for a Genier Award which were given out annually by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television from 1980-2012. Obituary, Legacy Online, (accessed 2021) Not on Find a Grave 2025

Born September 15, 1907, Cardston, Alberta. Died August 8, 2004, Manhattan, New York, U.S.A. She and her family relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. in 1912 and then to Hollywood where Fay attended high school. At 16 she appeared in her first movie, a short historical film, sponsored by a local newspaper. She went on in movies having unaccredited bit parts until 1926 when she became one of the W A M P A S Baby Stars, a group for up and coming starlets. She came under contract to Universal Studios and had parts in low budget westerns. In 1927 she was with Paramount Pictures where she had her first lead role in The Wedding March. She remained with Paramount as Hollywood entered the era of the ‘Talkies”. Leaving Paramount she worked for numerous companies including R K O Radio Pictures where she found her most famous role in the movie King Kong. She became a naturalized Citizen of the U.S.A. in 1933. She continued to star in various films through to the 1940’s. Retiring in 1942 but with mounting financial constraints She returned to acting in films and in bit parts on television. She played in individual episodes of the show Perry Mason, Playhouse 90, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and 77 Sunset Strip to name a few. In 1988 she published her biography entitled On The Other Hand; a Life Story. She married three times first to John Monk Saunders (1897-1940), with whom she had a daughter, Robert Riskin (1897-1955), with whom she had a daughter and a son, and she had three children with Dr. Sanford Rothenberg (1919-1991). She was a special guest at the 70th Academy Awards, where she was introduced as the "Beauty who charmed the Beast". She was the only 1920's Hollywood actress in attendance that evening. In 1991 she was a special guest at the 60th anniversary of the Empire State Building. Two days after her death, the lights of the Empire State Building were extinguished for 15 minutes in her memory.  Along with numerous other awards she received a posthumous star on the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2005. A small park in the city of Cardston, Alberta has been named in her honour. In May 2006, Wray became one of the first four entertainers to ever be honored by being featured on a Canadian postage stamp.   Sources: Fay Wray, IMDB Online (Accessed 2005); Adam Bernstein, ‘Fay Wray Dies at Age 96’, Washington Post, Online (accessed 2004); Fay Wray, Canada’s Walk of Fame Online (accessed 2005)

née Smith. Born October 22, 1952, Edmonton, Alberta. Peggy studied at the University of Alberta where she was introduced to modern dance. She married Michael J. Baker and then in 1971 she moved to Toronto, Ontario to study at the School of Toronto Dance Theater. In 1974 she co-founded the Dancemakers Dance Company. In 1980 she relocated to New York, City, U.S.A. working with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company. In 1990 she joined Mikhail Baryshnikov’s dance company which re-launched her career as a dancer and choreographer. In 1990 she married a second time to Ahmed Hassan (  -2011) In 1993 she joined the National Ballet School of Canada as their 1st artist-in-residence. In 2006 she was inducted into the Order of Canada and in 2007 she became the 1st person to receive the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2010 she earned the Walter Carsen Prize.

Born May 13, 1936, Toronto, Ontario. Died November 20, 2020, Toronto, Ontario. Patricia studied modern dance at Bennington College in Vermont, U.S.A. in 1959 and at the Martha Graham School in New York City, U.S.A. In 1966 she founded the New Dance Group of Canada. In 1968 she was a co-founder of the Toronto Dance Theatre.  She was an inspirational teacher and mentor who played a seminal role in fostering the growth of modern dance performance and choreography in Canada. She retired in the early 1990’s but continued to present occasional performances focusing on spiritual themes. In 2004 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online, (accessed 2024); In Memorium; With the Passing of Patricia Beatty Canada Has Lost a Titan of Dance by Paula Citron, November 21, 2020, LudwigvanToronto, Online (accessed 2021)

Born Montréal May 26, 1955. She turned to dance later in live with the Group Nouvelle Aire in Montréal in 1979. She studies various forms of dance, including modern dance, butch, ballet and she also studied voice. In 1981 she performed in Linda Robin’s O’Parade and the intensity of her dancing did not go unnoticed. In 1983 she began work as a choreographer with Pulsions et Dérisions. In 1987 she helped found Circuit-Est a co-op which assured a consistent rehearsal venue. She formed her own Louise Bédard Dance in 1990. She has also worked beyond the live stage in numerous film and video productions for Television, the National Film Board as well as dozens of productions where she dances for others in the story lines of movies. Source: Louise Bédard by Linda Howe-Beck The Canadian and World Encyclopedia [Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1997)

Born Worcester, England. Died January 6, 1966, Vancouver, British Columbia. During World War I (1914-1918), she lived in Birmingham, England, where she was introduced to theatre. She immigrated to Vancouver in 1920. Her husband was magistrate Walter H. C. Firkins, a police court clerk for 31 years. Yvonne was a founding member of the Vancouver Little Theatre, Vancouver Ballet School and Vancouver Dance Festival. She served as president of the British Columbia Drama Association and was a  founder of the  British Columbia  Dance Festival. She was also a  member, Community Arts Council and a  director of Theatre Under the Stars. From 1939 throughout World War ll (1939-1945) she was  production manager of service shows for Pacific Command. In 1964 she opened the Arts Club Theatre and produced the controversial Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. She is considered B.C.'s first lady of the theatre. Source: Vancouver Hall of Fame on line (accessed January 2013); not on find a grave

née Lucianna Thomassin. Born February 18, 1917, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died May 26, 2001, Malibu, California, U.S.A. When she was just eight years old the family relocated to live in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. While still a child she was singing on stage and seemed to be a natural when it came to dancing. While in her early teens she began working with MGM Studios and appeared in many musicals. She moved over to other studios, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Warner Brothers, Columbia Pictures, and continued to appear in musicals. In 1938 Dona married Donald 'Don' Franklin Carn Jr. (1914-1969)  and the couple had one daughter. When she was just 21 she worked as a choreographer on the film The Wizard of Oz. She also had a small role in the famous film.  When she was 30 she retired from show business trading it for the life of a wife and mother. She was a welcome visitor for yeas at festivals celebrating The Wizard of Oz. In 2001 she taped Memories of Oz and that same year she was on the TV special Last Days of Judy Garland and the E! True Hollywood Story. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2023); Find a Grave, (accessed 2023)

Born November 7, 1947, India. At thirteen she made her solo debut at a dance recital. Dance would become an important part throughout her life.  She married Vishnu Pada in 1964 and the couple settled in Thompson, Manitoba in 1965. The couple went to Indonesia and then back in Canada they lived in Sudbury, Ontario. The couple have two daughters. In 1985 she traveled ahead of her family to India. The family were to join her but their Air India Flight 182 crashed off the cost of Ireland. Lata became the spokesperson for the families of the victims.  Lata turned to her dancing in her grief. In 1997 earned a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from York University, Toronto.  Lata is the founder and artistic Director of Sampradaya Dance Creations.  In 1990 she formed The Sampradaya Dance Academy , Mississauga, Ontario, which is the only South Asian dance school in North America affiliated with the British based Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing. In 2008 she was named a Member of the Order of Canada for her efforts in choreography, a teacher, a dancer and artistic director. She is an Adjunct professor in the Graduate Faculty of Dance at York University. In 2011 the President of India presented her with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award recognizing her outstanding contributions. She is the 1st Canadian to have received this award. In 2012 she was presented the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal. (2019)

Born March 3, 1942, Bombay, India. Died February 5, 2022, Toronto, Ontario. Menaka studied dance as a child in Bombay and performed with her older sister. She learned classical styles of Indian danced and Japanese dance. In 1963 she earned her BA in visual arts. She came to Canada in 1972 to visit her brother and to perform classical dance of India.  Her acceptance was so warm that she  made Canada her home. In 1974 she founded the Menaka Thakkar dance company and was director of Nrtyakala: the Canadian Academy of Indian Dance. She been a major influence in the development and appreciation for Indian classical dance in Canada. In the 1980's students at York University, Toronto could earn credits for taking her dance classes. She soon became an adjunct professor of dance. She has taught dance across Canada. Her dance company has traveled to Asia, Europe and Australia.  She has been the recipient of numerous awards for her work both in Canada and in India including the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in Performing Arts from the Canada Council of the Arts in 2012. The following year she received the Governor General's Award in Performing Arts. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2015) (2022)

Born March 24, 1922, Inverness, Nova Scotia. Died April 8, 2005, Hollywood California, U.S.A.. When Onna was 12 she began a live long passion with dance. She would study dance in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Her first Broadway performance was in Finnian's Rainbow in 1947 which was followed by her appearing and assisting in the choreography of Guys and Dolls. In 1948 she married Larry Douglas (1914-1996), an actor. The couple had two children before they divorced in 1958. In 1956 she would choreograph her first Broadway show, Carmen Jones. In 1969 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted her an Academy Honorary Award for Oliver!. It is rare that the Academy recognizes choreography in a film and her award is the only one that states the name of the film. Onna continued to choreography stage and film production into the late 1970's winning eight Tony Awards for her work including The Music Man in 1958 and I Love My Wife in 1977. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2010)

née Kvietys. Born 1935? Kaunas, Lithuania. Died July 17, 2011, Calgary, Alberta. As a child she enjoyed music and dance and loved to express herself with experimental moves. In the early 1940’s she participated in early European contemporary dance and moved to Hamburg, Germany, training in modern dance movement. In 1948, after touring as much as possible during the war, she was a refugee camp in a post-war Germany. Eventually the family landed in Toronto. She worked in dance briefly in Toronto before heading to Montreal to teach at McGill University. She also ran a dance company and began dancing in New York City, Chicago and performing for CBC Television. Moving back to teach at the University of Toronto she had her only child, a son. She broke up with her common la husband Giliaras Urbonas in 1966.  And shortly after married Ray Young and the family settled in Calgary. She became an importer of contemporary dance for the city and worked at the Drama Department at the University of Calgary where she laid the basis for the Dance Department. In 1970’s she was disillusioned with government sponsorship and cut all ties with dancing turning to visual arts and painting for her artistic release. She worked with paints, stained glass and mixed media often being inspired by the animal world and celestial themes. Her works were displayed at numerous showings at galleries in Alberta and beyond. Source: An experimental dance pioneer who found a second life on canvas by Philip Fine. Globe and Mail September 10, 2011 Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario

Born  February 11, 1944, Stockholm, Sweden. She began her ballet career in Sweden training at Swedish Ballet School from 1953 to 1961. In 1964 she married Canadian choreographer Brian Macdonald. In 1973  she joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal. She brought beauty, vast experience and artistic maturity to the many roles that were created for her. She retired from the stage in 1984. and two years later founded the Ballet British Columbia and served as artistic director. Leaving Vancouver in 1987 she as worked as a guest teacher throughout Canada and in Sweden.  She has also served as director of the dance program at the Banff Centre in Alberta.

Born December 7, 1916, Edmonton, Alberta. Died November 14, 1999, Ponoka, Alberta. This ballet dancer was a true pioneer of her profession in Western Canada. She founded the Alberta Ballet Company and it's associated school of dance.  She studied with several leading institutions including the National Ballet of Canada and in New York City. An injury in 1954 forced her to retire from the stage.  She turned her talents to teaching the youth of Western Canada. She was winner of the Dance Canada Award in 1989 and she holds the Order of Canada. In 2016 the Edmonton Ballet dance facility was renamed the Ruth Carse Centre for Dance in her honour and Carse Lane in the city was also named in her honour. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2010)

née Otzoup-Goeny. Born January 10, 1924, Riga, Latvia. Died September 22, 1996, Montreal, Quebec .Ludmilla was trained in ballet in Berlin, Germany. During World War ll (1939-1945) she was confined to a Nazi labour camp as she was was suspected of being Jewish. Escaping the camp, she found her way to Switzerland where she could resume her career in dance. Here she married a Russian artist Alexis Chiriaeff (1913-1999). In 1952 the family immigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal, Quebec. Founder of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens she was a strong force in the development of dance in Quebec and Canada. The company was brought to international attention during Canada's Centennial year at Expo '67 World Festival. This success was followed by tours throughout North America and Europe. In 1969 she was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Canada and in 1984 she was promoted to the rank of Companion in the Order. Ludmilla retired as co-artistic director in 1974. n 1978 she was proclaimed a Grande Montréalaise by the City of Montreal, and in 1985 she was made a Grand Officier de l'Ordre National du Québec. In 1993 she received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award and that same year she earned the Denise Pelletier Award for the Performing Arts. She has bee declared an historic personage by the province of Quebec. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2019)

née Hey. Born May 5, 1915, Bradford, England. Died April 9, 1989, Kelowna, British Columbia. Betty trained in dance at a studio in Leeds, England. In 1938 she emigrated to Canada with her former dance teacher Gweneth Lloyd. The two women opened the Winnipeg Dace Club in 1939 and changed the name to Winnipeg Ballet in 1941. In 1945 the dance company began to tour and in 1953 they received Royal patronage as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (R W B). Betty was the Ballet Mistress training and rehearsing the dancers as well as being a principle dancer. When Gweneth Lloyd relocated to Toronto in 1950, Betty remained to work with the R W B. Betty also worked with Gweneth as co-head of the Banff School of the Arts summer dance program for many years. In mid 1950’s she moved with Gweneth to Kelona , British Columbia where they founded a branch of the Canadian Ballet School.  In 1970 she received the Manitoba Centennial Medal celebrating the 100 years of the Provincial history. In 1981 she was inducted into the Order of Canada and in 1984 she received the Dance in Canada Award. Sources: Memorable Manitobans online (accessed April 2014) ; The Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed April 2014). Book: The Royal Winnipeg Ballet: the first forty years (1979).

Born Celia Franks June 25, 1921, London, England. Died February 19, 2007, Ottawa, Ontario. Celia was introduced to dance when she was just four years old. She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal Academy of Dance. She made her professional debut when she was 14. In 1947 she joined the Metropolitan Ballet of Britain as a soloist and ballet mistress and began choreographing for television. In 1950 she was offered a position to stat a Canadian Classical Company. To support herself at this time she worked as a file clerk at Eaton's department store. The new company opened on November 12, 1951.  She became in 1959 the founding artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada. She was strong willed and determined ballet dancer traits required to face the many trials  over the 23 years as she helped the young ballet company to succeed. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1967 and in 1985 she was promoted a Companion in the Order. In 1994 she received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. In 1979 she joined the School of Dance in Ottawa as a co-artistic director. She was a member of the board of governors of York University, Toronto, and the board of directors of the Canada Council. She later served on the Board of Directors for the Canada Dance Festival Society. Her biography The Pursuit of Perfection: A Life of Celia Franca by Carol Bishop-Gwyn was published in 2011. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2021)

Born July 9, 1953, Montreal, Quebec. She began taking gymnastic and ballet lessons when she was just three years old.  She is a solo artist who has presented modern ballet around the world. She has hip-length chestnut hair and wears remarkable costumes. In 1881 she founded the Margie Gillis Dance Foundation to support and present her artistic work.  She introduced modern dance to contemporary China. She has performed in Asia, India, Europe and the Middle East as well as throughout North and South America. She was named Canadian Cultural Ambassador in 1981 and in 1986 Quebec Cultural Ambassador. When she is not on stage she had been dedicated to the fight against AIDS and a strong supporter of OXFAM and the Planned Parenthood Foundation.  In 1988 she was appointed to the Order of Canada, the 1st modern dance artist to receive this honor. In 2001 she she received a Career Grant from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for her exceptional contribution to Quebec culture. In 2004 she was named as one of the 25 to Watch by Dance Magazine. In 2008 she received the 1st MAD Spirit Award from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York, City, New York, U.S.A. for her involvement in various social causes. That same year she was awarded the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts from the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2009 she was inducted as a Knight in the National Order of Quebec. On March 3, 2011, Gillis was named a 2011 laureate of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Two months later she received a Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award from the Governor Generals Performing Arts Awards. In 2013 she was upgraded to Officer of the Order of Canada. Source: Margie Gills Dance Foundation, Online (accessed 2025); Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2025)

Born June 14, 1947, Cheltenham, England. In 1959 she was one of the 1st pupils of Betty Oliphant at eh National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto. In 1965 she joined the National Ballet of Canada and became a soloist in 1967 and principal dancer from 1970 through 1987. Her performance in the ballet Swan Lake garnered her the nickname of ‘Superswan’. Vanessa married noted surgeon Dr. Hugh Scully whom she met on a blind date on June 14, 1980.   In 1984 she became an Officer in the Order of Canada. In 1992 she received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation.  She also holds both the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. She also worked as an actor with roles in the Canadian Television series Road to Avonlea and Due South. She has served as the President of the Board of Directors” Fund of Canada 1996-98. In 2001 she appeared in the film Betty Oliphant: A Life in Dance.

née Herman. Born April 25, 1923, Toronto, Ontario. Died August 9, 2006, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A. In the 1940's Millie relocated to New York City, U.S.A., in order to become a member of the ballet corps of Radio City Music Hall. From 1945 for two years she was with the American Ballet Theatre prior to joining the New York City Ballet. In 1952 she performed as a double for the actor Clair Bloom (1931-   ) in the film Limelight.She married Donald Colemen, a lawyer and businessman. The couple had two children. In 1955 she became their principal dancer and was often a guest on the Kate Smith Show and the Ed Sullivan Show on television. In 1965 she performed as a Sugar Plum Fairy in the television presentation of The Nutcracker. She remained with the New York City Ballet until she retired in 1973. Upon retirement she became head of the ballet department at Skidmore College, Saratoga Spring, New York, U.S.A. This ballerina, who trained as a young girl in Toronto, became an internationally known dancer. She danced with the New York City Ballet. Upon retiring as a dancer she opened her own teaching studio in New York City. She also taught at the School of Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. and in New York City where she had her own school. Just prior to her death she was teaching at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. Her biography was written by Rasa Gustaitis and published in 1967. Source: Sharing Stories Inspiring Change, Jewish Women's Archive, Online (accessed 2023) 

Born March 28 1951, Hamilton, Ontario. Karen trained at the National Ballet School, Toronto, Ontario. She joined the Corps de Ballet of the National Ballet of Canada in 1969. A prima ballerina, Karen has won international recognition for her dancing. At 19 years of age she was the principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada. In 1973 she earned the silver medal in the Women's category at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow, Russia. In 1983 Karen married Ross Petty, a stage and film actor.  In 1991 she was elevate to the level of Companion of the Order of Canada. In 1997 after her fair well tour she became Artist-in-residence at the National Ballet. She has been named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters of France. In 1997 she received a Governor General's National Arts Centre Award and received a Governor General's Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award in 2002. From 2004 to 2008, she was Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2007, she was presented with the Barbara Hamilton Memorial Award for demonstrating excellence and professionalism in the performing arts. In 2008, the Karen Kain School for the Arts officially opened,She is the founding president and president for life of the Dancer Transition Centre which is dedicated to helping retrain retiring professional dancers. In 2005 she was named Artistic Director of the National Ballet. In 2011 she received the Distinguished Artist Award from the International Society for the Performing Arts.  Her Biography Movement Never Lies may be found at your library.

née Margolick. Born March 13, 1947, Montreal, Quebec. Judith began her training in Montreal but was soon attending Britain's Royal Ballet School from 1962 through 1965.  Back in Canada she danced with les Grands Ballets Canadiens, before going to Israel in 1970 with Bat-Dor Dance Company. In 1974 for two years she danced with Ballet Rambert in England. She is is also know as a choreographer and artistic director having worked in Vancouver, British Columbia as the Judith Marcuse Dance Project Society the Repertory Dance Company of Canada and DanceArts Vancouver. A versatile dancer who has danced with les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the Bat-Dor of Israel, and the Ballet Rambert of England. She now prefers choreography. In 1976 she earned the Jean A. Chalmers Award for Choreography and in 1979 the Clifford E. Lee Award.  In the 1997 production of ICE: Beyond Cool, a show about teenage suicide that played in shopping malls to thousands of teenagers in a seven-city Canadian tour. In 2000 the production was adapted for TV. Both ICE and a second production FIRE broke new ground for the company, allowing young people to articulate solutions to problems facing them, and involving a broad range of sponsors, government-agency collaborators, and venues not normally associated with dance presentation. In 2009 the Canada Council awarded her with the Jacqueline Lemieux Prize. (2019)

Born September 7, 1973, Regina, Saskatchewan. Emily is a graduate of the National Ballet School of Canada, Toronto, Ontario. She has danced with the National Ballet of Canada and the Frankfurt Ballet, Germany. She has performed throughout Europe, Asia and North America.  2009 she became. Artistic Director of Ballet British Columbia. In 2013 the Globe and Mail newspaper named her Dance Artist of the Year. She has served as Artistic Director of at Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity. In 2016 she received the Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award and she became a Member of the order of Canada. She has also received the BC Community Achievement Award, the YWCA Woman Of Distinction Award in Art, Culture and Design. (2019)

Born August 5, 1918, London, England. Died July 11, 2004, St. Catharines, Ontario. Betty was encouraged by a doctor to take ballet as a means to help her breathing after she suffered from pneumonia as a child. By the age of 17 she had opened her own dance school. Betty immigrated to Canada in 1947. By 1959 she was a co-founder of the National Ballet School of Canada and founding director from 1959-1979. She has also worked for ballet schools in Sweden, Denmark, and Russia.  She is an Officer of the Order of Canada as well as many additional awards from the City of Toronto, France and the 125 Anniversary of Confederation Medal of Canada. She has also published her autobiography; Miss O: My Life in Dance. The Betty Oliphant Theatre is located in Toronto. Sources: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online,  (accessed 2019)

née Campbell. Born April 29, 1941, Vancouver, British Columbia. Paula began to study ballet at five years of age. At 15 she left home to join a traveling performing group at the Bellevue Casino in Montreal. She chose the name Paula Ross as her stage name. She travelled with the club throughout north America performing as a dancer and as a comedienne.  By the early 1960's she had returned to western Canada and had become a principal dancer in  the Pacific Dance Theatre in Vancouver.  In 1965 she opened her own Paula Ross Dance Company.  The Company, although well presented in western Canada and the United States, dissolved due to financial problems in 1987. Paula was known for her dance creativity and continues to work in Canada, Japan, and France. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2019)

née Nehlil. Born February 2, 1922, Paris, France. Died May 8, 2016, Montreal, Quebec. Geneviève was brought up in Casablanca, Morocco and this is where she received her early ballet training. She won first prize, as a ballerina, at the Casablanca Conservatory and continued her training in Paris, France. She met her husband in Casablanca during World War ll (1939-1945). She also studied at the Sorbonne in France to earn her Bachelor of Arts in philosophy but left after a year to be married. She went on to study with great Russian dancers in Paris. She and her husband emigrated to the US before settling in Montreal, Quebec, in 1946. Although trained as a classical dancer she turned to jazz as a less restrictive form of dance. She became co-founder of Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal. Her style blends classical ballet with the free form of jazz. She was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1987. In 2012 she received the National Order of Quebec. Source: Obituary, Globe and Mail, June 8, 2016.

née Springbett. Born March 8, 1929, Wainwright, Alberta. Died March 7, 2023, London, England. Lynn studied ballet in Vancouver, British Columbia and in England. In 1959 she was a principle dancer with England's Royal Ballet. Between 1966-1969 she was with the Deutsche Opera Ballet of Berlin, Germany. In 1978-9 she was director of the Bavarian State Opera Ballet in Munich, Germany. In Canada she has danced with the Royal Ballet, the Western Dance Theatre and the National Ballet of Canada. In 1979 the documentary film Lynn Seymour: In A Class of Her Own was produced. In 1980 an authorized biography was published by Richard Austin.  In 1984 she published her autobiography; Lynn. She acted in the children's television series The Little Vampires in the late 1980's. In 1987 she appeared acting in the 1987 film Dancers with the famous Mikhail Baryshnikov. In 1989 she came out of retirement to dance once again in London, England and in New York City, U.S.A.  She went on to create a rock dance called Seymour's Circus and then appeared in additional movies through to the late 1990's. From 2006 she worked in Athens, Greece, for the Greek National Ballet. She would marry three times and had a son with her second husband. She also had twin boys, with her life partner Eike Walcz. The Lynn Seymour Award for Expressive Dance is presented annually by the Royal Ballet School in England. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2024) .

Born January 15,1947, London, England. This prima ballerina of the National Ballet of Canada won international acclaim for her extraordinary versatility and dramatic power as she danced herself around the world for 25 years. In 1975 she became the first dancer to be inducted  as an Officer in the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 2003. Retired from dance in 1989, she turned her talents to writing and producing for television and theatre. November 21, 1999 she earned  an International Emmy Award for her work Karen Kain: Dancing in the Moment. She has written books for children and is doing freelance writing for notable Canadian magazines. She volunteers for charity and has bee chairperson for UNICEF.  In 2001 she earned a star on Canada's Walk of Fame and in 2006 she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2011 she was named Cultural Ambassador for the City of Hamilton, Ontario. Source: Canada's Walk of Fame, Online (accessed 2002)

Born March 11, 1924, Hungary. Died April 11, 2013, Montreal, Quebec. Eva studied ballet at the Trognoff Russian Ballet Academy as a young girl. She won a scholarship to study at the University Mozartium Saltzberg in 1924. The next year she made her solo debut. In 1948 as she entered Canada a customs officer, seeing she was a dancer, suggested she move to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Working as a domestic servant to fulfill the requirement of working for a year in order to stay in Canada she studied with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (R W B). In 1954 when the R W B was destroyed by fire she moved to Montreal to continue dancing. She worked in Banff and taught jazz dance for 13 years. Often summers vacations were spent in New York City, U.S.A. taking ballet and jazz classes. She specifically loved jazz-ballet as a celebration of the soul. In Montreal she formed a jazz ballet group Les Jazz-Ballet Contemporaines but left in 1978 after a disruptive collision of ideas with others in the group. She spent the next 35 years as a freelance teacher. In 2003 Mireille Dansereau completed a documentary feature EVA about the talented dancer. She had married at one time but did not relish the role of homemaker and definitely loved dance more than married life which also carried the treat of motherhood. She had a love of learning often taking courses at local institutions. At 80 years of age she discovered and embraced life with a computer.  Source: Her legacy is all that bale-jazz by Paula Citron, The Globe and Mail, April 30, 2013.  

née Ulla Maude Durant. Born August 27, 1873, Toronto, Ontario. ( sources give varied dates of birth from 1873 to 1880) Died October 7, 1956, Los Angeles California, U.S.A. The family moved to San Francisco, California, U.S.A. and then in 1895 to Germany where Maud studied piano in Berlin. Maud changed her name to cover her relationship and scandal with her criminal brother who was hanged in 1898 for murder in San Francisco. The trauma of her brother's death was such that she abandoned her piano playing and took up dance.  Maud became true pioneer of modern dance. Her costumes were very creative and were fashioned and sewn by herself. Her version of the Dance of the Seven Veils became somewhat notorious. In 1908 she published My Life and Dancing and she went on tour in England. She would continue to perform in Europe, North America, Australia, Africa, and Asia. By 1915 she was appearing in silent films. In 1918 she sued a British Member of Parliament who had called her a lesbian but she lost the case which became entangled in obscenity charges against her dance performance. There was a ban on public performances on the play by Oscar Wilde from which her dance was based. Her bothers crimes were also brought out during the trial to suggest sexual insanity in her family.  Maud taught dance in the 1920's. From 1930 through 1942 she opened the West Wing School of Dance for slum children to learn dance in New York City, U.S.A. In 1937 she opened the West Wing School of Art in London, England for underprivileged children. She continued to appear in films in the 1930's and early 1940's. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online accessed (2019); Find A Grave, Online (accessed 2019)

Born May 13, 1936, Toronto, Ontario. Died November 20, 2020, Toronto, Ontario. Patricia studied modern dance at Bennington College, Bennington, Vermont, U.S.A. She went on to study at various institutions in the United States including the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance in New York City. Returning to Canada she soon gained a reputable acclaim for her work with modern dance in her home country. She co-founded  the Toronto Dance Theatre with Peter Randazzo (1943-   )  in 1968. In 2002 she also founded the Toronto Heritage Dance Company. In 2004 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. Source: In Memorium; Wit the Passing of Patricia Beatty Canada Has Lost A Titan of Dance by Paula Citron, (2024)

née Ray Minkoff. Born November 6, 1934, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Died June 9, 2012, Ottawa, Ontario. Rachel loved to dance and to teach dance to others. After high school she trained in New York City, New York, U.S.A.  She joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1957 and retired from ballet in 1961. She was the founder of Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers in 1964. Rachel traveled to New York City annually to study and learn  as a dancer. It became Canada's longest running modern dance company. Rachel was Director until 1983 but remained connected working as a fundraiser and advisor. In 1995 she was awarded the Jean A. Chalmers Award for Creativity in Dance.  In 1997 she became a member of the Order of Canada. That same year the venue for the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers named their venue in her honour the Rachel Browne Theatre. Source, Canadian Encyclopedia, Online, (accessed 2019)

Born 1919, Toronto, Ontario. Died February 15, 2013, Toronto, Ontario. Nancy had her introduction to ballet in Toronto as a child and studied modern dance in New York City. In the 1940’s and 1950’s she worked with the Toronto New Dance Theatre establishing the Nancy Lima Dent Dance Theatre in the 1960’s. She created a body of over 30 dance works, many of which were a commentary on social issues of the day. She also performed, choreographed and organized modern dance festivals in 1960’s Toronto. Her last original choreographic work was presented in May 1974. In 1986 there was a production of her work Heroes of Our Time originally performed in 1952. Source; Dance Current, Online (accessed 2013)

Born April 9, 1913, Toronto, Ontario. Died May 4, 2005, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Saida's Russian immigrant parents passed on to her the love of music as a child and she studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music, and then on to New York City. In the 1930’s she would make significant contributions to the early establishment of modern dance in Canada. In 1951 she and her pianist husband, Aube Tzerko, moved to work in Los Angeles where she formed her own dance company. Source: Biography, Dance Collection Dance, Online (accessed 2025)

Born June 6, 1946, Toronto, Ontario. Died November 1, 1986,Toronto, Ontario. Judy was one of Canada's important modern dance choreographers.  In 1963 she moved to Germany to become one of the last protégées of modern dance choreographer Mary Wigman. She retuned to Canada in 1967 and taught dance in the physical education department at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. She later formed a series of modern dance companied and taught dance at the University of Waterloo i Ontario. Sadly she struggled for most of her professional career to achieve acceptance.  In 1974 she was the first recipient of the Jean A. Chalmers Award in Choreography. In 1983, when funding from the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council was withdrawn for her company, Jarvis returned to teacher's college. She was teaching dramatic arts in Toronto at Madonna High School at the time of her sudden death. She dies as a result of smoke inhalation during a fire in her apartment.  The Judy Jarvis Dance Foundation, created in 1987, seeks to preserve Jarvis' legacy. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia   Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2015)

Born November 13, 1957, East Angus, Quebec. By the age of 13 she knew she would be a professional dancer. 1978-1979 she trained at the Ecole de dance Pointepiernu and then with the Groupe nouvelle aires’s school in 1980. 1981-1982 found her training in New York City, U.S.A. In the 1980’s she toured internationally as a performed and artistic collaborator with several groups. After ten years of touring she returned to Montreal, Quebec working with various choreographers. In 1993 she was working with Danse Cite Volet Interpretes. She is known for her modern jazz techniques. She teaches actors and circus performers to enhance their physical expressiveness. (2018)

Born January 3, 1955, Montreal, Quebec. Ginette trained as a gymnast as well as a dancer of modern dance and ballet. began her choreographic career in 1979. She founded her own company in 1984, O Vertigo. She has also  done work with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Introdans in the Netherlands, and for films. She also taught at the Université du Québec, Montréal. The company appeared at Expo 86 and won the Jean A. Chalmers Award. In 1987 she was profiled in the documentary film, Dance for Modern Times. Since 1986 the company has returned to appear in Europe, the United States of America, Denmark, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. In 2003 she earned the Cinedance Award for Best Direction at the Moving Pictures Festival, Toronto.  In 2015 she was invested with the Order of Canada. (2021)

Born August 27, 1928, Montreal, Quebec. Died September 5, 2022, Outremont, Quebec. Jeanne studied music at Ecole de musique Vincent-d'Indy, Montreal, Quebec. She went on to train in classical ballet and modern dance with private tutors. She also studied in New York City, New York, U.S.A. In 1948 she married Jean-Pierre Labrecque and the couple had two children.  From 1949 through 1954 she taught dance in Paris, France and joined the Canadian group Les Automatistes who were in Paris to perform. Back in Montreal in 1959 to 1965 she danced and taught with the Ecole de dance moderne de Montréal.  She founded Le Groupe de la place Royale, the 1st official modern dance company in Quebec in 1966. Jeanne served as a dancer, choreographer, artistic director and administrator until 1972. She operated until 1975 Galerie lll, a space for contemporary visual art, theatre, music and dance. She worked for the Canada Council, the Quebec Ministere des affaires culturelles and was head of the Conservatoire d'art dramatique du Québec in both Montreal and Quebec City. In 1990 she retired from teaching at the Université du Québec à Montréal. In 1989 Renaud received the prestigious Prix du Québec Denise Pelletier, and in 1995 the Governor General's Award for the Performing Arts. Jeanne is also a member of the Order of Canada. Source: Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Online (accessed 2019); Les Grands Ballets Canadiens Pay Tribute to Jeanne Renaud, September 19, 2022, Les Grands Ballets, Online (accessed 2022).

née Shepard. Born November 28, 1926, Toronto, Ontario. Died August 13, 2018, Toronto, Ontario. Ola immigrated from the Caribbean with her family in 1918 and settled in Toronto. As a youth learned to tap dance by copying what she saw and liked in movies and then performed professionally at various venues and events in Toronto in the 1940's. After her marriage and the birth of her four daughters she  took up dancing again and trained in western interpretive dance forms. Inspired to learn more about her African heritage, Ola reached out to universities in Ghana and Nigeria and learned dances directly from Nigerian students on exchange at the University of Toronto in the 1950's. She continued with classes  with pearl Primus in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. and began to merge western interpretive dance forms and the dances of the African Diaspora in her own teaching and fashion design. She performed taught and choreographed extensively for stage and television folk festivals, Caribana and the San Diego Museum of Art in California, U.S.A. She also taught at the University of New York in Buffalo and at the Three Schools Artists' workshop in Toronto. In 1974 she would open her own studio. In 2018 she was inducted into the Dance Collection Dance Encore! Dance Hall of Fame. Source: It's About Time: Dancing Black in Canada 1900-1970. online (accessed 2022)(2024)

Born 1935, Canada. Died 2022. In the 1950's Atuat's family was one of many relocated by the Canadian government often to extremely remote and unfamiliar locations. The relocation forced a sedentary lifestyle keeping the people from traditional lifestyle of hunting and living. Atuat was a lifelong fighter to preserve traditions of her people.  Atuat had supporting roles as an actor. She was also a direct working on documentary films such as Anaane in 2001. She was a teacher of management studies at Nunavut Arctic College. In 2002 she worked as a costume designer for Atanarjat: The Fast Runner for which she was nominated for a Genie Award in 2002. In 2004 she became a member of the Elder Advisory Committee in Nunavut helping develop a curriculum to preserve, maintain, and celebrate her Inuit culture. She also taught at Piruvik Centre in Iqaluit as an Inuit Elder. She assisted with the creation of a Teetl'it Gwich'in language dictionary and taught her language for over 25 years. Her costumes in the Film Before Tomorrow wand best Costume Genie Award in 2010. She was a partner in the filmmaking collective called Arnait Video Productions. In 2012 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal. In Jun 2019 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Indspire Awards. Source: Secret Life of Canada: Atuat Akittirq..., CBC, online (accessed 2024)

Born 1947, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec. Died February 5, 2020, Magog, Quebec. After graduating from high school in Outremont Diane earned a Laureate in piano from Ecole de musique Vincent-d'Indy, Montreal, in 1964. She continued her education from 1967 to 1969 at Ecole des beaux-arts de Montréal. Her firs dramatic writings were with L'Atelier and Studio d'études. She also worked as a researcher and interviewer for  radio programs. In 1974 she wrote her first feature film, La Piastre. She married Alain Chartrand and the couple had one daughter. Her Master's followed from the Université de Montréal in 1975. She taught at Collège Jean de Brébeuf, and later at Cégep de Sherbrooke where she retired in 1986.  She continued to produce films and held a residence position at Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley. Diane also gave documentary writing lessons at the Intitute de l'image et do son and Association Québecoise des auteurs dramatiques.  All during the 1980's she wrote documentaries, TV shows, short films and feature films.  (2024)

née Spice. Born January 1, 1906, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Died December 17, 1990, Victoria, British Columbia. Her first career was that of a teacher in public schools in Saskatchewan. She returned to school herself graduating with a degree in journalism  from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, U.S.A. in 1929.  After graduation she too a position as society columnist with the Regina Leader Post newspaper. By 1931 she was in London, England working with the Government Post Film Unit and worked with members of the British Documentary Film Movement as the only Canadian and only women in the unit. While in London she met met her husband Lawrence William Cherry (1903-1966. The couple had two children. With the outbreak of World War ll (1939-1945) the couple returned to Canada and became successful independent film makers. She would also work as the Head of the Agricultural Films Unit with the National Film Board of Canada where she served from 1941 to 1951 making 128 films. During her time at the NFB she helped to found a nursery so her son would be taken care of when he was young. She is considered a pioneer in the Canadian documentary filmmaker industry. After being forced into retiring from the NFB during the era of the 'Red purge" Evelyn returned to teaching. In 1960 she was once again working with her husband making films is Saskatchewan as Cherry Films Ltd. which was founded in 1961. She retired a second time in 1985. Some of her texts and photographs are kept in the Library and Archives Canada. Suggested by Nancy Addison.  Source: Canadian Women Film Director's Database online (accessed 2022);Canadian Film Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024) 

Born 1960, Alert Bay, British, Columbia. Died May 17, 2019. When Barbara was 18 she lft her home town to seek the world and settled in Vancouver where she started videotaping oral stories of elders in her local area. She worked in Vancouver as a researcher, project manager and production manager for filmmakers. As a filmmaker Barbara's works focused on First Nations subjects. In 1994 she founded Nimpkish Wind Productions. In 1995 she first film, Laxwesa Wa, Strength of the River was released showing the boost of northwest coast canoe culture.In 1997 she broke into the make dominated work field with the documentary Qutuwas: People Gathering Together  which the Telefilm/Canada Northern Canada for best aboriginal production. She followed it in 1999 with T'lina: The Rendering of Wealth. Barbara was also a local politician serving as a councilor in Alert Bay, British Columbia for 13 years. She also was a cultural-tourism entrepreneur.  In 2016 her film Our Voices, Our Stories won Best Documentary Short at the American Indian Film Festival.  Died May 17, 2019. Source: Obituary, Online  (accessed 2024).

Born September 19, 1929, Maniwaki, Quebec. Died May 8, 2012. Aimée worked as a script assistant for Teleevision de Radio-Canada. She became the first Quebec woman in the film and television industry to direct TV commercials. She did work for Hydro-Québec, Dominion Stores, Desjardins, and Peuqeot. By the 190's she was directing short documentary films and episodes of various francophone TV series. Her film, KW+, won a Canadian Film Award for Best Short Documentary in 1970. In 1992 she produced Leolo, which was nominated for a Genie Award.  She was again nominated for a Genie in 1994 for My Friend Max. She married a fellow film director  and playwright Guy Forrnier (1931-   ). Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2024)

Born December 19, 1943, Montreal. Mireille enjoyed dance and literature. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Université de Montréal in 1965. She worked as an assistant sound editor at the National Film Board (N F B) and independently directed her first short film in 1967. That same year she entered the Royal College of Arts, London, England and earned a master's degree in cinematography in 1969. She earned first prize at the National Student Film Festival in London. Back in Quebec, she became the first woman to direct a feature-length fiction film in French, La Vie Reevee, (Dream Life), a feminist road movie,  released in 1972. She also made programs for television. Im 1976 she co-directed a medium length film Rappelle-toi with her husband Vartkes Cholakaian. She directed two feature length documentaries for the N F B on the status of women in the mid 1970's. After making more fiction films she began a series of film essays in the 1990's with images from her own past. . In 1994 she directed documentaries for the N F B. Source: Gabrielle Duchaine , Cinema and television: Five women honored, La Presse March 15, 2012. online (accessed 2018)

Born 1952. Died December 30, 2018, Lac Brome, Quebec. In the mid 1980's she worked at Cinee-Group in the animation department.  In 1994 Pepita began working with the National Film Board of Canada N F B) where she produced seven films available in both official languages. Her documentary films often were collective stories of known artists and filmmakers. She also wrote articles for Point of View, a Canadian magazine about documentary film and photography. In 1989 she co-founded with her partner Louis Piché, Films Piché Ferrari. She also helped found the Eastern Townships Film Festival and the We Love Documentary Film Festival.  Her final film with the N F B was in 2011 and was a short portrait of Margie Gillis, a choreographer. Source: Obituary, The Hollywood Reporter online (accessed 2024).

Born 1926, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Died June 10, 2010, Toronto, Ontario. Malca married Denis Gillson but the married ended in divorce. In 1955 Malca joined the staff of the National Film Board of Canada (N F B). She was not hired as a secretary but as a composer and went on to work in the sound department for several films. By the 1970's she was a pioneer film editor and in 1975 she began to direct her own films. In 1976 her work  received honorable mention at the Golden Gate Film Festival, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. In 1979 she became interest in End of Life matters and filmed three documentaries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. In 1980 the film The Last Days of Living, Reflections on Suffering and Time for Caring broke the taboo surrounding death and is considered an essential film for people in healthcare. This work won a Gold Plaque for Social Issues at the Chicago International Film Festival and another honourable mention at the Golden Gate International Film Festival just to mention a few of the acknowledgements for the film. She retired from the N F B in 1980 leaving a legacy of work of over 100 films. Source: Obituary online (accessed 2024) 

Ann Meekitjuk Hanson

Inuit Filmmaker

Born May 22,1946, Nunavut Her official name was Annie E 7 – 121. The E stood for Eastern Arctic, '7' denoted her birth community and 121 was the number assigned by the federal registry. Her peoples still lived on the land when she was born. After the death of her parents she moved to Toronto to live with an aunt. She too the name of her new family becoming Ann Cotterill to attend high School. She was never officially adopted so she took her father’s name Meekitjuk as a legal surnamed before she started working for the Federal Government in Ottawa and later in Iqualuit when it was still known as Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories. She had an additional name change when she married Robert Hanson. The couple had four children. She worked for CBC Radio providing Inuit programming. Her shows actually provided oral histories, legends, songs, food facts, and other cultural aspects of far North life and they helped preserve these aspects of life. In 1973 she was in Hollywood to be part of a movie The White Dawn and she became intrigued with the process of filming. She has daringly produced a film on spousal abuse in the North and after the premier of the film the first women’s shelter opened in her community.  She enjoys doing films on the life around her in the North and as such is continuing the tradition of the women who have for generations told stories and sung songs of the culture of the people. She has served as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and she has been inducted into the Order of Canada. Source. Herstory: A Canadian Women’s Calendar 2006, Coteau Books, 2005. (2020)

Born July 6, 1946, Toronto, Ontario. Died June 14, 2018, New York City, New York, U.S.A. Deanna attended the University of Toronto (U of T) in the 1960's where she contributed articles for The Varsity, the University's student paper. She also contributed to The Ubyssey at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. She had a career with public broadcasting working at the C B C in Toronto and P B S in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. She also worked as a professor of film development at S U N Y Purchase College in New York, U.S.A. and The New School, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.A. where for 26 years between 1992-2018 as Head of the Documentary Studies program. She would become Director of Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. She also held the position as Assistant professor of Media Studies at the School of Media Studies in New York City. In 1983 she earned a regional Emmy from the Northwest Broadcast News Association, Best Profile Award from the National Association of Working Women. The 1980's saw additional recognition from the National Film Board of Canada, the International Public Television Festival (three awards), the Tokyo Video Festival First Prize, and The Chicago International Film Festival. In 2014she received the Humanitarian Award from the Long Island International Film Expo. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia, Online  (accessed 2024)

Born 1877, England. Died 1976, Victoria, British Columbia. Dorthea's father worked for railroads internationally so she grew up in Egypt and India until they returned to England in the 1890's By 1904 they had immigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto. She purchased a boarding house in Toronto so that her mother and sister could join her. She became a "work companion' to a mining engineer as his wife in Silver Mountain, Ontario. She remains here becoming the Canadian Pacific Railway station master, post master and ran her own general Store. Since people preferred to trade for goods she was ont making a living so she bought a saw mill and became a 'Lady Lumberjack.' Applying for land under the Homestead Act and as an unmarried woman she received 79 acres instead of the usual 160 acres granted to single men. From 1911 through to 1920 she operated her saw mill prior to relocating to Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), Ontario. She took business courses and by the summer of 1921 she was teaching the courses! In 1929/30 she and the Port Arthur Amateur Cinema Society produced three feature length silent films. It was to a crowded house in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), in Ontario's largest theatre, in 1929, the first feature length film, A Race for Ties,  was shown. It was one of the first of the few feature-length films made in Canada at that time and is considered the first amateur feature-length film in Canada. Their work was so popular that people were turned away from the theatre. The advent of sound films and the depression saw the Demise of the Society. In 1930 she became the first secretary-treasurer of the Port Arthur General Hospital. From 1931 four four years she dabbled in local real estate. She was also a prominent member of the Daughters of the Empire. During World War ll (1939-1945) she trained Red Cross Transport Corps members to go overseas. She was in charge of the registration of Canadian women. She also worked to provide accommodation for British child evacuees with the Children's Aid Society. Dorthea retired to the Canadian West Coast for her heath and joined the Victoria Amateur Movie Club. She would also published numerous short stories. At 92 she penned the story of life at Silver Mountain. Source: Biography, Lady Lumberjack, Online (accessed 2022);Women Film Pioneers Project, Online (accessed 2022)

Born September 29, 1943. Died February 18, 2019, Toronto, Ontario. After high school Toni attended the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. She began her career as an assistant editor for commercials, episodes of the C B C's show Telescope, This Hour Has Seven Days and the first Canadian colour TV show Forest Rangers. Toni married painter and fellow filmmaker Michael Myers (died 2010) become a step mother to one child. The couple also had one son. In 1995 she was in New York City, U.S.A. and met Graeme Ferguson one of the future founders of Imax film. The two worked on an Expo '67 film called Polar Life. Off to England she worked on films with the B B C and projects for Apple which included features and videos for John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It was Graeme Ferguson who enticed Toni back to Canada to work with Imax. Toni worked in Imax production of space documentaries bringing space exploration alive for everyone to enjoy. She also did some work about our planet such as in 2009 when she worked on Under the Sea in 3D Imax and narrated by Jim Carey. In 2016, her last work, was called A Beautiful Planet. Source: Obituary, The Hollywood Reporter. online (accessed 2024)

née Bjerring. Born March 16, 1920, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died November 15, 2022, Edmonton, Alberta. Gudrun graduated from United College (now University of Winnipeg). After graduating she worked on as a beat reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. In March 1942 she relocated to Ottawa to work with the National Film Board of Canada (N F B) as an assistant in the cutting room. Wanting to direct her own film she worked with cinematographer Judith Crawley (1914-1986) on the educational film called Vitamin A, B, C. She would have a longtime involvement with children and education through her films. In 1944 she became head of the N F B Educational Unit. That same year Gudrun married Morten Parker (died 2014) and the couple had two children. In 1946  her work, A City Sings, was nominated for the Cannes Short Film of the Year. In 1951 she made the Canadian Film Association's (C F A) technical short award winning Opera School providing a profile of a singer with the Royal Conservator of Music. That same year she earned the C F A Best Feature Film Award and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (B A F T A) Awards for Royal Journey. In 1954 she worked on a documentary on the creating of the famous Stratford Festival which earned  and Oscar nomination for the N F B and was named Film of the Year at the Canadian Film Institute. November 17 2005 she was awarded an Officer of the Order of Canada. Source: "Iconic" documentarian Gudrun Bjerring Parker Helped Define NFB' Ssignature Style, by Martin Morrown, Globe and Mail, December 9, 2022.

Born September 8, 1950, Soglio, Switzerland. Lea immigrated to Canada in 1975 to study at the Université du Québec, Montreal where she graduated with a degree in communications. She was working at the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) when she produced her 1st solo film Strass Café in 1980. It was in the early 1980's that she worked on a TV series Planète et Eva en Transit, aired on Radio-Québec. Known for her feminist film studies she produced several films in the 1980's and 1990's including a documentary on the life of author Gabrielle Roy which earned a Jutra Award. Some of her works have been screened at the Famous Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A. and the Venice Film Festival in Italy. In 1984 La femme de l’hôtel was awarded the Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. In 1986 she received the Audience Award for Anne Trister at the International Women's Film Festival in Créteil, France. Her 1st work in English Lost and Delirious was shown at Sundance and the Berlin Film Festival in Germany. In 2006 she was awarded the Prix Albert-Tessier for her outstanding career in cinema from the Quebec government. In 2011 she presented Pink Ribbons Inc which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. In 2013 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. in 2017 accepted the Vancouver Women in Film and Television Artistic Merit Award at Vancouver International Film Festival.  (2019)

Born January 1, 1935, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died January 9, 1998, Kelowna, British Columbia. After dropping out of high school at 16, Kathleen worked cataloguing films at Crawley Films , Ottawa. By 1956 she was working at the National Film Board (NFB)  she worked as a sound and picture editor. In 1970 she directed her 1st film Goldwood.  in the Working Mothers series. Kathleen became a driving force behind the creation of the famous Studio D (1974-1996) , a women's film production unit producing feminist documentaries created by and for women. She was the 1st executive producer a position she held for 12 years and over saw the creation and production of some 80 films including a 1977 and 1982 Academy Award winning films. One of the last films from Studio D was a biographical documentary, Kathleen Shannon: On Film, Feminism, and Other Dreams. The NFB also established a documentary prize, the Kathleen Shannon Award presented annually at the Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival. Kathleen was married twice and was mother of one son. She retired to the Kootenays in British Columbia opening a guest house for women. In 1986 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009)

Born July 14, 1942, Galt, Ontario. Sylvia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York in Buffalo, U.S.A. After graduation she worked in advertising, practiced journalism and worked on radio and television. Her private time saw her write poetry. She directed the TV series This Land is People where she interviewed Canadian from all walks of life.  She would worked with David Rimmer to co-direct the experimental short documentary about an alternative school. After receive  grant from the Canadian Film Development Corporation in 1970 she made Madeleine is... the first Canadian English language feature film directed by a woman. Perhaps a better description is that it is the first since Nell Shipman (1992-1970) in 1919.  It did not receive the best reviews or acclaim. A shorter feature simply called Madeleine won the Vancouver International Film Festival in 1970.  In the early 1970's she was a member of the feminist film-making company, Fromunder Films.  She founded Making Waves Productions shortly after.  She was a member of the Canadian Task Force on Sex-Role Stereotyping in the Broadcast Media which was established by the Canadian minister responsible for the Status of Women in 1979. The Task Force was provide guidelines for a more positive and realistic portrayal of women in radio, and television and the broadcast industry in general. She became the life partner of Carolyn McAskie. She was a founder of MediaWatch Canada and became the organizations national director. She presented internationally at forums about women in advertising and how they are portrayed. In 1995 she was a member of the Canadian Organizing Committee for the U N E S C O International Symposium women and the Media. She went on to work as a communications consultant for the Canadian National Association of Women and the Law. In 2000 she developed a one hour documentary, 20th Century Gals (According to Babe) exploring the women's movement.  In 2005, she was named in the Top 100 list of Canada's Most Powerful Women in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category as published in the Globe and Mail. Source: Canadian Film Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

Born November 1962, Arthabaska, Quebec. Died September 8, 1994. Esther graduated from the Université de Montréal.  and after graduation she began working with the National Film Board of Canada (N F B).  She became a trainee at the famous women's Studio D at the N F B and worked in a variety of technical jobs.  After she herself was diagnosed with HIV/Aids in 1989 she worked on the documentary film The Story of A / Le Récit d'A released in 1990. In 1992 her work The Measure of Your Passage / Le singe bleu won the award for Best Short Film at the Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma and the Genie Award for Best Short Documentary Genie Award. Source; National Fim Board of Canada, Online (accessed (2024)

Born 1943? Skidegate, British Columbia. Barbara's Indigenous  name is Kii iljuus. When Barbara was only 13 she was working  for the Canadian Fishing Company on the Scow in Haida Waters, Skidegate Landing. She would serve as a Hostess at the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal celebrating Canada's Centennial.  In 1967 she was the only woman among seven trainees at the National Fim Board of Canada (N F B) she formed the Indian Film Crew. She shares a director credit with three of her colleagues for the 1969 film These Are my People the first N F B film crafted entirely by an Indigenous crew.  In 2014 while working on her Master's Degree at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia she helped develop climate-change mitigation strtegies for Haida Gwaii with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions. Barbara retired from Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in 2012 after 30 years of service with various government agencies. She also provided lectures for Simon Fraser University's School of Education and the School of Resource and environmental Management. She was also involved in international projects Revitalizing Ancient Knowledge of Marine or Ocean People around the Pacific Rim's Ancient 'Common Bowl'. In 2019 she defended her Master's thesis in Haida Gwaii, the first to use her language to earn her degree. She was 76, Simon Fraser University's oldest graduate. Barbara is a proud mother and grandmother of five grandchildren.    Source: Barbara Wilson National Film Board online (accessed 2024); Dr. Kii'iljuus Barbara Wilson, Centre for Indigenous Fisheries online (accessed 2024); In a first, S F U's oldest grad presents thesis defense in Haida Gwaii. Simon Fraser University June 10, 2019 online (accessed 2024)

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Born June 11, 1914, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died April 26, 1973, Vancouver, British Columbia. Norma is perhaps best known and remembered as a piano accompanist and soloist on radio and with performing with orchestras. She worked with the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra and the Victoria symphony Orchestra. She was an accompanist for the British Columbia Music Festival throughout the 1930's and 1940's. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009)

Born 1876, Brockville, Ontario. Died February 28, 1960, Toronto, Ontario. Lina was born into a musical family with her mother Bertha Drechsler Adamson (1849-1924) having been a noted violinist and teacher at the Toronto Conservatory of Music. Lina took training in violin in Leipzig, Germany and in Switzerland. Back in Toronto she was considered as one of the prominent violinists in the city. Lina taught at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and played in the Conservatory string quartet conducted by her mother. She also played in the Conservatory string orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.  She was also known as a violinist in New York City, U.S.A.  During World War l (1914-1918) she organized a musical program  for a recruiting event in Toronto. Later in her career she was the conductor of the Conservatory's Junior Orchestra, and the Toronto Ladies Ensemble. (2024). not on find a grave 2024

née Marr. Born August 23, 1900, Ridgetown, Ontario. Died March 8, 2001, Vancouver, British Columbia. Frances began playing the piano as a child and went on to study music at Alma College, St Thomas, Ontario. Frances studied piano at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and in Paris, France. In 1926 she married renowned violinist Harry Adaskin and the two formed a lifetime musical duo. They performed and introduced Canadian music abroad and from 1944-1954 they toured Canada and performed on CBC Radio. During World War ll she wrote stories for such magazines as Saturday Night. She was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1976. The couple retired in 1991 and settled in Vancouver, British Columbia. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2020)

Born January 23, 1891, Stratford, Ontario. Died August 26, 1964, Stratford, Ontario. Cora studied music in Toronto where she received her Bachelor of  Music. She played in a trio which accompanied silent movies in Stratford theatres. In the 1930's she was one of the first itinerant rural school music teachers and taught throughout Perth County, Ontario. She would lecture in pedagogy at the University of Western Ontario, London, University of Toronto, and McGill University, Montreal. She conducted summer workshops in piano pedagogy in major Canadian cities. Her published credits include tutorial texts to help student including Ear Training which was six volumes and Rudiments of Music (Toronto 1943-46) which was nine volumes. She was co-author of For All Piano Teachers (Oakville, 1955 reprinted 1980) which was translated into Braille in 1985 for blind musicians. Aherens Street in Stratford, Ontario, is named in her honour.  Source: Streets of Stratford: Ahrens Drive  by Paul Walker and Gord Conroy, The Beacon Herald, March 7, 2024, Online (accessed,2024)

née Balestreri. Born April 24, 1913, Montreal, Quebec. Died February 21, 2000, Ottawa, Ontario. Violet studied music with the best of her era. In 1936 Violet graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from McGill University. The family would change their name to Archer, the English translation of their name, in 1940. From 1940 through 1947 she was a percussionist with the Montreal Women's Symphony Orchestra.  She would also work as a piano teacher and was organist at various Montreal churches. Violet would make her forma debut as an orchestral composer with her work Scherzo Sinfonico performed by the Montreal Orchestra in 1940.  In 1942 she was studying in New York City, U.S.A. where she was introduced to Hungarian folk tunes. From 1944 to 1947 she taught at the McGill Conservatory, Montreal. In the last years of this decade she studied at Yale University, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A. earning a Bachelor of Music in 1948 and her Master's Music the following year. She spend time as Composer -in-residence at the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, U.S.A.  From Texas she went on to the University of Oklahoma, U.S.A. where she taught until 1961. Violet returned to Canada in the early 1960's and earned her doctorate at the University of Toronto. Next she joined the faculty of Music at the University of Alberta in Edmonton where she remained until her retirement in 1978. As a composer she  produced a wide variety of scores for voice, instrumentals, films and even a comic opera and performed in over 30 countries. She was named Composer of the Year in Canada. In 1977 she received the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal and in 1982 she received the Canada 125 Award. In 1983 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada and her home province presented her the Alberta Life Achievement Award. In 1985 became the first North American woman composer to be honoured with a festival of her own works. The Canadian Music Centre Library, located in Calgary, Alberta was named in her honour in 2007. Violet was known for both tradition and contemporary music techniques and she had a strong belief of the importance of creating 20th century music for youngsters as indicated by the fact that there is  an Indie rock band The Violet Archers. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online, (accessed 2020)

née Aubut. Born September 5, 1922, St.-Jérome, Quebec. Died October 8, 1984, Montreal, Quebec. A renowned organist and educator.  Francoise began to learn piano when she was about six years old. She gave her first recital on August 23, 1936 at St.-Stanislas Church, Montreal, Quebec. That same year she was awarded an organ diploma from the Schola cantorum, playing from memory Bach's six trio sonatas. She studied at the New England Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., Conservatoire national de Montréal, and at the Paris Conservatory in France, During World War ll (1939-1945) she was interned in Besancon following the Battle for France  where she was the 1st North American to win the Grand Premier Prix in Music. After the war she returned to Canada and performed many recitals winning respect as an interpreter and improviser in her music. From 1955 through 1965 she took part in numerous seminars and conferences in Europe including performing at the Brussels Worlds Fair in 1958. In 1961 she also received the Prix de Musique Calixa Lavallée. In 1967 she performed at Canada’s Expo ‘67 held in Montreal. She taught at the Université de Montréal, the Conservatoire de Musique et d’art dramatique du Québec and the Ecole Vincent-d’Indy. Sources: The Encyclopedia of Canada. (Hurtig, 1986)  

Born  March 17, 1972, Montreal, Quebec. She stared studying photographic Arts at Concordia University when she was asked in 1994 to play for Courtney Love's band, HOLE. She was bas guitarist with the group until 1999. She not only plays guitar and sings but she plays piano and trumpet as well. She toured for awhile with the group the Smashing Pumpkins before making her solo debut album in 2004. She was the person who defended David Suzuki as the Greatest Canadian in the popular 2004 television contest.

Born 1944, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Averill has always loved to play piano. At 13 she won scholarship  to Conservatory of Music in Toronto In 1963 she graduated from the University of Toronto with an Artists Diploma. Two years later she married George Baker, a politician and future senator for Canada. The young couple moved to Newfoundland where they raised their four children. Averill now only played for family and for local charity benefits. In 1992 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a successful surgery the cancer returned in 1995 and Averill decided to work on her girlhood dreams and applied herself to her music. In 2004 she placed second in the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition which made her one of Canada’s outstanding amateur pianists. She also competed in the Washington International Piano Amateur Competition where she placed fourth and won the Audience Choice and Press Award. Opportunities to perform found her prepared to perform and her cancer under control. She plays throughout North America. Sources: Herstory, the Canadian Women’s Calendar 2006 Coteau Books, 2005

Born October 6, 1898, Montreal, Quebec. Died December 21, 1969. She performed on the piano at the age of six as a child prodigy. She studied in Europe and New York, U.S.A. Her patrons, Including, Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1841-1919), Prime Minister of Canada, helped her pay for her studies. She had her New York City Debut in 1910. In 1912 she performed, by request, at the White House for the President (she would return by request to perform for two other presidents in 1934 and 1954) She made her first European tour in 1927 returning to North America just prior to World War ll (1939-1945). She became a fund raiser and  philanthropist, establishing a scholarship in her name at McGill University in the Faculty of Music. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia, Online, (accessed 2022)

Born September 6, 1908, Umen, Ukraine. Died February 14, 2002, Scarborough, Ontario. Sara was studying piano with her father when she was five years old. She emigrated to Canada in 1925 and began studies on scholarships at the Toronto Conservatory of Music for voice. In the 1930's and 1940's she sang with orchestras in Toronto and gave recitals throughout Ontario. She also performed from 1940 through 1973 as a concert and radio accompanist on piano. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online,  (accessed 2013)

née Beauchamp. Born December 12, 1907, Montreal, Quebec. Died March 15, 2007, Montreal, Quebec. Fleurette studied voice and piano appearing in the productions of the Societé canadienne d'opérette. On piano she won awards in the 1930's from the Canadian Institute of Music and the Prix de Paris in 1933. She remained in Paris, Feancé, to study piano returning to perform public and radio recitals in Canada. She enjoyed playing works of Canadian composers, some of whom dedicated works to her! She continued her career as a teacher of her fine music. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2015)

Composer


 

Born April 11, 1934, Oshawa, Ontario. Died October 19, 2024, Norma grew up in an musical environment with her father a musician and her mother having been trained in music and dance. As a youth she studied piano. In 1954 she worked as a script assistant for CBC music programming. She earned a bursary with the Royal Conservatory of Music in 1957-8 and continued her studies in composition with a scholarship at the Berkshire Music Center. She studied in Rome and in 1961 she received an Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarship. She also studied in Germany and England. Returning to Canada she studied electronic music at the University of Toronto and at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Centre in New York, U.S.A. In 1963-4 she also  returned to work at various positions at the CBC. She resigned in 1969 to begin a freelance career as a producer and commentator on contemporary music. In 1971 she co-founded New Music Concerts where she served as president and general manager. In 1976 her documentary, The Computer in Music won a Major Armstrong Award for excellence in FM broadcasting. From 1984-1987 she taught music at York University, Toronto. In 2002 she was awarded an honorary membership in the Canadian Acoustic Community. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online. (accessed 2020); Obituary, Toronto Star, October 26, 2024, Online (accessed 2024)

Born Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. Died March 23, 2010, Newfoundland. Katherine earned her Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At 18 she entered the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland. She became an educator of music serving in numerous schools. Under her tutelage the Our Lady of Mercy Glee Club was the first Newfoundland Junior choir to with the Matheson Trophy, a national award. She spent more than 20 years as organist and choir director at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. She has also demonstrated a commitment to serving the less fortunate in areas where she has taught. In 2006 she was inducted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and in 2007 she was appointed to the Order of Canada. Source: Order of Newfoundland and Labrador online : Order of Canada Online (accessed November 2011)  (2020) Not on Find a grave 2024.

Born August 26, 1929, Quebec, Quebec.  Madeleine was born to a musical family where her grandfather, father, aunt, and uncle as well as her brothers all has successful musical careers. She studied in her home province of Quebec and earned a Bachelor of Music from Université Laval. She completed her studies in Paris, France, London, England, and Geneva, Switzerland. Returning to Canada she began her teaching career at the School of Education and school of Music at Université Laval. She is also known as an expert accompanist and applied her skills in Italy and Austria as well as at home in Quebec. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009)

Born June 20, 1959, Montreal, Quebec. Louise began learning piano at 5 years of age and carried on with training in Montreal, New York and Paris. In the 1980's she gained recognition by winning international awards for her performances. She has appeared all over Europe, England and North America. She has enjoyed working with the Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France. She excerpts extraordinary energies in her playing which has impressed the public and professional critics alike. In 1989 she was named Woman of the Year in the Arts Category at the Salon de la femme in Montreal.

Born September 27, 1923, East Angus, Quebec. Died January 13, 1968. Jocelyne studied for her degrees in music in Montreal before going to Paris, France to continue studies with instrument of choice, the piano. Returning to Canada in 1951 she taught at Ecole Vincent d'Indy, the Orford Art Centre, and the Montreal Conservatory of Music. She composed for piano, violin, cello, flute, and choir music. Her works were performed at concerts and on radio not only in Canada but also in Europe and South America. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

née Bloomfield. Born September 15, 1910, Lindsay, Ontario. Died June 5, 2003. As a youngster Patricia loved music and taught herself how to play the piano. She studied music paying for her studies by teaching piano from 1929 to 1939 at the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music. In 1938 her composition Suite No. 1 for violin and piano won the Voigt Society Award for best Canadian composition. In 1939 she married and turned down a Julliard scholarship. In 1954 she joined the staff at the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music teaching piano and composition. She remained teaching until 1985. Her own compositions have been performed in Europe and throughout North America. She was an associate of the  Canadian Music Center as well as a member of the Association of Canadian Women composers. Source: Ronald Napier: A Guide to Canada's Composers. Willowdale, Ontario, Avondale Press.

Born  May 21, 1957, Val D'Or, Quebec. Linda is a composer and orchestra conductor  was invited by musical director Trevor Pinnock to become the 1st composer in residence for the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa , 1992-1995. She introduced programs to encourage public involvement at the National Arts Center and made great strides in bringing contemporary classical music to the attention of the audiences. Her first CD in 1998 Exquisite Fires: Music of Linda Bouchard was made with the NAC Orchestre. In 1998 she was honoured as Composer of the year , Camseil Québécois de la musique.  Sources: Linda Bouchard web site ; Women in Ottawa; Mentors and Milestones Online (accessed June 2011).

Born July 11, 1949, London, England. On the ocean voyage, when her family immigrated to Canada, she entertained in a children’s talent show. At 13 she received a guitar as a Christmas gift. The following year she saw English guitarist, Julian Beam, perform and she was smitten with the power of the music. In 1972 she graduated from the University of Toronto (U of T), won the Canadian National Music Competition and toured with British guitarist John Mills. Studying in Europe 1972 -1974 she also was a busker in Italy and performed recitals in Belgium, Holland, and France. By 1975 she was back in North America. She had her first Carnegie Hall performance in New York City, U.S.A. and in Canada she graced the cover of the Canadian Magazine. The story tag line was 'The first lady of guitar'. In 1978 she would use this stage line as a title for one of her many recordings. She performed for world leaders and royalty bringing classical guitar to new recognition by performing with such notables as Tracy Chapman, George Zamphir, Roger Whitaker, Eric Clapton, Gordon Lightfoot, and Chet Atkins. She is also known for her solo performances with symphony orchestras and her performances for numerous charitable performances. In 1988 she published In My Own Key: My Life in Love and Music (Stoddard Publishing). In 1992 she married John B. Simon and settled in California.   Divorced in 2004, she eventually returned to Toronto. She had a separation from the stage when she was diagnosed with Musician Focal Dystopia which can produce muscle spasms. By 2009 she had reinvented her playing, added singing and song writing to her repertoire and is back on stage and recording.  Her work has garnered her 5 Canadian Juno awards. She has been inducted into the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. Source: In My Own Key by Liona Boyd (Stoddard, 1988) ; Liona Boyd web site (accessed March 2014)

Born November 4, 1881, Picton, Prince Edward Island. Died July 26, 1977, New York City, U.S.A. Gena earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. and continued studies there with leading musicians of her era. She taught piano in Chicago and became director of Piano Department at Whitman College in Washington, D.C., U.S.A. leaving only in 1909 to continue her studies in Europe. She has to her publishing credit an opera, hymns orchestral works. Her choral drama, Pilgrims of Destiny, won the 1928 League of American Pen Women prize for best work by a woman. She was guest conductor throughout North America and England and was leader of numerous choirs during her long and successful career. She also served per profession as president of the Society of American Women Composers and vice president of the National Association of American Composers and Conductors. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009)

née Sheasgreen. Born February 21, 1908. Concorde, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Died October 18, 2009, Victoria, British Columbia. As a young woman, Alma lived and taught piano in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She continued to study in Chicago, New York City, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. and Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. While in San Francisco she married Mark Requa Harrington and the couple had one child.  Her career took her from staff pianist for a Vancouver radio station to live radio and television performances, to teaching at the San Francisco Conservator of Music and at the University of California at Berkeley she married a second time to Harding St. John Brock Smith and returned to Canada to work as a professor at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba. She also specialized in coaching duo-piano teams. From 1979 through 1989 she taught as the Victoria, British Columbia Conservatory of Music. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online; Obituary online (accessed 2024).

Born 1916, Harbin, China. Died February 8, 2011, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Educated in China she performed many concerts of British and French Chamber Music. She graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Harbin in 1931. When the family relocated to Shanghai she performed with the Shanghai Municipal Symphony Orchestra. She married Dr. Gregor Bronstein (died 1983). The couple had two sons and a daughter.  The family emigrated to Canada in 1952 and settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1954 where she re-established her career in her new country. She performed on C B C Radio and TV as a soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist for local and international artists. From 1969 to 1994 Ada was accompanist at the summer session of the Banff Centre in Alberta. 1978-1996 she was an active member of the Chamber music group Aurora Musicale.  Performing across North America she participated ins some 800 public, radio, and television concerts!  In 1984 she began teaching at the University of Manitoba retiring in 1991. Retiring from the professional circuit in 1999 she still continued to give recitals in personal care homes. In 2002 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal. Source: Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press February 26, 2011 online (accessed 2024); Not on Find a Grave 2024

Born October 22, 1955, Toronto, Ontario. As a young girl she studied classical piano but at 20 she turned to jazz and due to having developed tendonitis she she switched instruments playing flute and soprano saxophone. She studied music at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 1991 she won the All-Music Guide Award for one of the Top 300 Jazz Discs of all time with Spirits of Havana. In 1983 she and her husband, trumpeter Larry Cramer, started a band.  She has seven CD’s of jazz and Cuban Music. In 1993 for the album, Spirit of Havana, she won a Juno Award. In 1995 she won the Socan Award as Jazz Composer of the Year.  In 2002 she won the Canadian National Jazz Award as Saxophonist of the Year. In 2003 she earned the Down Beat Award for the third year in a row, the American Jazz Writers' Association Award and the Jazz Journalists Award. In 2004 she became an Officer in the Order of Canada. She and has gone on to win three more Juno awards including Best Group Jazz Album of the Year in 2014 with the all-female Afro-Cuban/jazz group, Maqueque. She has also won two Grammy nomination.  She also plays the
trompeta china which is a Cuban wind instrument of Chinese origin. (2019)

Born April 11, 1915, Edmonton, Alberta. Agnes studied piano in Ontario and in 1932 began teaching at the Royal Hamilton Conservatory of Music. She made her professional debut at Massey Hall in Toronto in 1935. In 1936 she won both the Eaton Scholarship and the Dominion Gold Medal of the Toronto Conservatory of Music. She studied and toured in Hungary and in 1940 she performed throughout North America and continued performing through the 1950's in England and Europe. In 1953 she appeared as soloist with the Hamilton Philharmonic. In 1968 she went to Malta and in the 1970's she lived in France, Spain, Italy, and England. At some point she changed her name to Boucher. In 1980 she returned to Canada where she gave her las public recital in 1984 at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. In 1987 Agnes donated her collection of more than 200 piano scores to McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. In 1987 she  left Canada to live in Canterbury, England. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2024).

Born February 29, 1908, Montreal, Quebec. Died March 7, 1995. Charlotte, raised a Roman Catholic, took her vows as a nun and was given the name Sister St-Jean-du Sacre Coeur of the congregation of Notre Dame. She earned a teaching certificate in Montreal in 1928 and went on to study for a Bachelor of Music in Montreal in 1931. From 1942 through 1954 she was the Director of Ecole Normale de Musique and from 1959 through 1989 she served as General Director of Musical Studies of the Congregation of Notre Dame. From 1976 through 1982 she served as vice-president of C F M S (now C S M T). She composed choral works, masses, cantatas, songs, folksongs and organ music. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2008)

Composer

Born 1896, London, England. Died, 1959, Toronto, Ontario.  Amice studied art at the Slade School and also studied privatly for piano. In 1912 the Calverly family immigrated to Canada and settled in Oakville, Ontario. She continued her studies at the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music under the well known Healey Willan (1880-1968).Wanting to serve during world War l (1914-1916) she worked at a munitions factoryy and at the Christie Street Hospital while still a student.  In 1922 she earned a scholarship to the Royal College of Music, London, England. Ar Oxford she became interested in archaeological drawing and in 1927 she became involved with the Egypt Exploration Society of the Temple of Seti l at Abydos. She still continued with her love of music and produced works of songs,  an opera, and at least two string quintets. Source: Did You Know, Association of Canadian Women Composers, Online (accessed 2025); Not on Find a grave 2025

née Caron. Born 1906, Louisville, Quebec. Died 1972, Montreal, Quebec. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Montréal in 1942 and went on to study voice, piano and music composition. She is best known as a composer and writer of songs and piano music as well as harmonization for folk music. In 1962 she published Mes plus belle chansons, for children to play on piano. Her personal papers are available for research and the National Library of Canada. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009); Did You KnoW?, Association of Canadian Women Composers, Online (accessed 2025)

Born February 4, 1919, Beauharnois, Quebec. Died July 31, 2006, Montreal, Quebec. Marguerite joined the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and became known as Sister Rhené-Jaque. She studied at the Ecole supérieure de music d'Outremont. In 1943 she was teaching music theory and violin at the Ecole de musique Vincent-d'Indi, Montreal. By 1949 she had earned a Bachelor of Music degree  and a Laureate in Music in 1955. She would continue her music studies a few years later in Nice, France. She would compose many pieces for students in piano and violin. She was a member of the Canadian League of Composers and a member of the Association of Canadian Women Composers/Association des femmes compisiteurs Canadiennes. She used the pen name Rhené Jaque. Source; Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2010)

Born July 6, 1927,  Vancouver, British Columbia. Died July 17, 2021, Spain. After graduating from high school Delores trained as a concert pianist at the Juilliard School , New York City, U.S.A. While at Julliard she found she would rather be a composer and developed a love of jazz. After she graduated at the end of the Second World War (1939-1949) relocated to England where she met and married Richard Morris in 1957. They would raise two children together. The couple moved to Toronto and co-wrote thousands of jingles including A Place to Stand with the popular 'Ontari-ari-o' lyric for Expo 1967. In 1968 she was working with MacLaren Advertising when she would write the theme song at opens C B C's Hockey Night in Canada on television. She requested her name appear in the credits along with  'lighting by..." At first this was refused but she eventually negotiated the credit when the track of music was sold to C T V in 2008. She was one of a few women in the advertising industry at the time but felt that she just did her thing and was accepted. She was an adamant feminist and once was wearing a lovely pant suit when she was refused service at a restaurant because women were supposed to wear skirts. She simply unzipped her pants and took them off in front of the maitre d'! Source: Obituary (accessed 2022); Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2022)

née Clarke. Born 1896, Kamloops, British Columbia. Died 1935. The Clarke family moved to Toronto when Alma was just a youngster. She was a child prodigy being accomplished violinist and pianist who performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In 1914 she married Caledan Robert John Radcliffe Dolling  who died in service during World War l (1914-1918). She had originally signed up to entertain the troops and had worked in the War Office in England. After the death of her husband Alma joined the Scottish Woman's Hospitals for Foreign Service and became a wartime ambulance driver. She was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for her service and having been wounded twice.  Married a second time to Compton Packenham (1893-1957) she soon became divorced and devoted herself to her music and her son. She met and married architect Frances Mawson Rattenbury (1867-1935). Since he had left his first wife to marry Alma the couple were shunned by society in Victoria, British Columbia, and soon moved to live in Bournemouth, England in 1928. It was at this time she began composing music using the pen name Lozanne. In She began an affair with the family chauffeur, George Percy Stoner (1916-2000). Later  in March 1935, when Frances Rattenbury was found bludgeoned to death in their home both Alma and Stoner were charged with the murder. The chauffeur was sentenced to death but the charges were commuted after a large petition was submitted to the Home Secretary. After serving seven years of his life sentence she was freed when he joined the World War ll (1939-1945) war effort. Alma was acquitted of murder and of being an accessory after the fact but the newspaper article were so damning she committed suicide a  few days after the trial. Books, plays and even an Opera have used this story as a base for information. Source: Did you Know,, Association of Canadian Women Composers, Online (accessed 2025) This week in history: 1835: Sex, Drugs, Murder, and Suicide...The Rattenbury Case had it all. by John Mackie, Vancouver Sun, June 5, 2020, Online (accessed 2025)

Born April 29, 1891, Rochester New York, U.S.A. Died December 24, 1977, Hamilton, Ontario. Florence's parents were Canadian and the family moved to Hamilton Ontario in 1895. Florence earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto (U of T) where she studied composition and violin. She earned a diploma Licentiate of Trinity College, London, England and became the third woman to earn the designation Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. She composed works for organ, strings and vocal solos as well as choral works. Her manuscripts are part of the Special Collections at the Hamilton Public Library. Source: Composers' Biographies , The Royal Canadian College of Organists, online (accessed 2024)

Born October 28,1974, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A.  A dual citizen, she came to Canada as an infant. As a toddler she played both piano and violin! Living with her family in Saudi Arabia she also studied flute. In 1984 she entered the Royal Conservatory of Music and the followed studies the Université de Montréal and the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. She was the first Canadian classical artist to sign with Deutche Grammophon/Universal Music Canada. She has performed
piano recitals all over the world and become the highest-placed Canadian in the Van Clyburn International Piano Competition in its 40s years of existence. She released her first album in 2002.

Born April 18, 1950, Saint John, New Brunswick. In 1970 she won the C B C Talent Festival for her piano playing. In 1972 she had completed her Bachelor degree in music at the University of Toronto. She made her Toronto debut at the St Lawrence Hall in 1973. In 1975 she won the Washington International Competition and in 1977 was a finalist at the Munich International Piano Competition in Germany. 1979 saw her debut at Wigmore Hall in London, England and by 1980 she had her debut at the famous Carnegie Recital Hall. That same year she joined the faculty at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. She continued to tour and appeared at various locations in the U.S.A. and throughout Europe. In the 1990’s she was touring the orient with performances in Japan, Hong Kong, and China. By 1999 she had produced 10 CD’s. In 1996 she joined the faculty of Knwisel Hall Chamber Music Festival in Blue Hill, Maine, U.S.A. In December 2012 she was appointed to the Order of Canada for her contributions as a pianist, and educator. (2019)

née Spencer. Born February 2, 1919, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Died November 12, 2013, Calgary Alberta. Dorothy Mae's father taught her to love and play the piano until his death when she was only seven years old. She never lost the gift of love of music. At 15 she began working as an organist and junior choir leader at her hometown United Church. She won multiple awards in music festivals for her solo piano work and her junior choir work. At 18 she had completed her associate degree in piano and began teaching piano in Swift Current and along the Empress Railway where she was known as the traveling music teacher. Leaving on a Monday she taught in Pennant, Battram, Cabri, and Abby, Saskatchewan, arriving home on the weekend in the caboose of a freight train! In By 1947, in Abernethy, she had met and married. Wesley Copithorn. The couple had three children. Dorothy played piano/organ in United Churches in the various towns the family would live. In Indian Head in 1959 she also started the St Andrew’s United Church intermediate choir. She was a charter member of the Regina Chapter of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. At 90, in a long term care facility in Calgary, she continued to play for Sunday worship. Source: “Dorothy Mae Copithorn” by Hope-Arlene Fennell. “Lives Lived”, the Globe and Mail April 17, 2014. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon.                                      

Born February 10, 1908, Vancouver, British Columbia. Died March 9, 2000, Vancouver, British Columbia. Jean studied music in England and New York's famous Julliard School. She was a talented composer, performer, and teacher. She is considered a pioneer in the musical world of Vancouver. Her compositions have been performed at many concerts, radio, and TV productions. Her works have also been celebrated at music festivals across Canada and abroad. In 1978, in recognition of her contribution to Canadian music she was appointed an Officer in the Order of Canada. She also holds the Order of British Columbia.  Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009)

née Underbakke. Born June 5, 1917, Regina Saskatchewan. Died July 25, 2013, Victoria, British Columbia.  Helen married Alton Dahlstrom and the couple had two children. It was however, her love of music which she would best known for. She received her piano teachers certificate from the Toronto Conservatory of Music. In 1934 she received he Licentiate for Music Diploma at the University of Saskatchewan. She actually started her piano career at 16 when she played with the Regina Symphony Orchestra. She toured, played on radio and accompanied notable musicians at recitals. In 1950 she moved to Rossland, British Columbia and began her lifetime work at St. Andrew’s United Church. She also shared her leadership and management skills by holding numerous positions of local, provincial, national and international music organizations for 70 years. She was paramount in the organization of Canada Music Week for which she chaired for 25 years. In 1998 she received the Order of British Columbia in recognition of her contribution to the enrichment of the love of music in the province. Sources: Canadian Women of Note, Media Club of Canada (Toronto: York University, 1994) # 189 page 208; Trail History Society online (accessed August 2011).

Born 1956. A composer and a recording artist, she performs original, contemporary compositions on the Shakuhachi, an ancient Japanese Bamboo flute. She is the 1st professional female player to specialize in the unique healing abilities of this sacred Japanese instrument. By 2004 she had recorded some 16 CD's, fourteen of which specifically for healing and meditation. Her music has been embraced by healers and spiritual practitioners around the globe. She has performed before Japanese royalty and travelled extensively around the world with her music. She is a professor of Music at the University of Toronto and also hosts classes in Ottawa.

née Owen. Born August 5, 1896, Suffolk, England. Died July 4, 1988, Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a youth in England Gwendda studied piano and won a gold medal for her efforts. She performed several times on concert stages in England. In 1923 Gwendda travelled to Canada to teach at Rupertsland College, Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was soon an accompanist with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir. She helped at the Young Women's Musical Club supporting many local singes. In 1930 she sailed to Paris France but soon found her way back to Winnipeg. She played as a soloist with C B C Winnipeg Orchestre in 1949. She would encourage her students for over 50 years. Source: Memorable Manitobans. online (accessed 2022)

Born August 15, 1956, Montreal, Quebec. Larraine attended the Université de Sherbrooke where in 1977 she earned a Bachelor of Music followed in 1979 by a Masters in classical piano. She studied 1978.1979 in Montreal and then was off for more lessons in New York City, New York, U.S.A. Lorraine has recorded some ten albums as a solo performer and musical director. Including recording with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra . She has also composed a number of pieces of music. Since 1985 she has taught in colleges and universities and is a jazz piano professor at the Cégep Saint-Laurant, Montreal. In 2012 she was induced as a Member of the Order of Canada. January 27 2013 she received Le prix de l”interprete de l’anne at the 16th Gala of Prix Opus du Conseil Quebecois de la Musique.

Born October 9, 1923, Montreal, Quebec. Died February 23, 2023, Quebec. Andrée studied music at the École supérieure de musique d'Outremont prior to her studies at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec, Montreal. She also studied history of art and literature at the University of Montreal and went to France to study at the Conservatoire de Paris. Returning to Montreal in 1949 she taught music history and musicology at various institutions including  the Conservatoire de musique du Québec, Montreal, the University of Montreal and the École de musique Vincent-d'Indy until she retired in 1988. She was a commentator for concerts at the Jeunesses musicales du Canada (J M C) from 1949 to 1966 and was managing editor for the J M C's journal from 1951 to 1956. In 1951, she was elected to the Société française de musicologie and is considered musicologist. Over the years she has written and introduced a number of series on music for Radio Canada and wrote articles and reviews for several newspapers and magazines. In 1998, the year she retired, she received a medal from the Quebec National Assembly and in 1995 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. Her life partner of 60 years was Nadia Strycek (1934-2016) a well known pianist and teacher.  Source: Obituary, The Gazette, March 4, 2023, Online (accessed 2024)

née Hamilton. Born March 25, 1849, Edinburgh, Scotland. Died May 12, 1924, Toronto, Ontario. Bertha and her sister Emily studied violin in Leipzig, Germany. She and her siblings played in their father's quartet in the United Kingdom. She married in 1869 and immigrated to Canada to settle first in Hamilton and then in Toronto, Ontario. The couple had six children together. She became part of the teaching staff of the Toronto Conservatory of Music in 1887.  The following year she was the first violinist of the Conservatory String Quartette. She left the Conservatory only to return in 1895 and served as Concert Mistress in 1906-1907 for the new Toronto Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. She would also compose and conduct. She taught many notable musicians including her daughter Caroline 'Lina' Emily Adamson (1876-1960). Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

née Brown. Born December 10, 1915, Toronto, Ontario. Died February 18, 1999, Oshawa, Ontario. Margaret earned her Bachelor of Music (B Mus) at the University of Toronto. She was a long-time member of the Choir at Church of st. Mary Magdalene, Toronto.  She also sang with the Tudor Singers and the Toronto Bach Choir. She served as choirmaster and organist at Holy Trinity Church, Oshawa, Ontario from 1960 through 1969. She was also music supervisor for the Oshawa elementary school board and after 1969 with the Durham District School Board. 1983 through 1990 she was choirmaster and organist for St. Mathew's Anglican Church, Oshawa. She wa a founding member of the Oshawa District Council for the Arts where she served as president 1973-!975. In 1975 she became an associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music and was a founding member and honorary fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists where she was national president in 1982-1984. She helped found the Oshawa Arts Centre and was named a director of the Oshawa Symphony Association where she would serve as chairperson. Margaret was also an acclaimed composer composing The Canada Goose; a Musical Play in three Acts.  She would write a number of carols and songs, including Why do the Bells of Christmas Ring? and Songs of Judith. She also penned four operettas. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2022)

Born November 15, 1887, British Columbia. Died April 9, 1938, Victoria, British Columbia. Elinor escaped Victorian era and family constraints by moving to Europe to continue her musical studies. She sadly developed an addiction for gambling that ended up being extremely costly to her family and they brought her back to Victoria in the 1930's. She wrote music for plays, chamber music, piano and two fully scored out ballets. However it was not till some 100  years later that her work was discovered in the archives of the family home of Craigdarroch Castle, which is a national historic site..  In 2018 some of her works were used in the Association of Canadian Women Composers Suffragette Concert. A CD was also produced of some of her works.  Source: Did You Know?, Association of Canadian Women Composers, Online (accessed 2025); La Riche Canadienne -The music of Elinor Dunsmuir,  October 4, 2018Craigdarroch Castle, Online, (accessed 2025); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2025)

Born April 29, 1891, Rochester, New York, U.S.A. Died December 24, 1977. Florence’s parents were Canadian and eventually the family settled in Hamilton, Ontario. She earned a B.Mus. degree from the University of Toronto, where she studied composition and violin. She earned the diploma Licentiate of Trinity College, London, England and became only the third woman to earn the designation Fellow of the Canadian College of Organists. An active member of the Royal Canadian Council of Organists O, Hamilton Centre, she was made a life member of the Centre and was also recognized as an Honorary member of the R C C O. Florence wrote organ works, compositions for strings, vocal solos, and choral works. Her published compositions include Prelude on a second Mode Melody and Carillon. Her manuscripts are in the Special Collections Department of the Hamilton Public Library. Source: Hamilton Public Library.

Born 1896, Kamloops, British Columbia. Died June 4, 1935, Bournemouth, England. When just a youngster the Clarke family relocated to Toronto, Ontario and then to Victoria, British Columbia. As a child prodigy she was an accomplished violinist and pianist performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. She married Caledon Dolling but had become a widow within the year.  She joined the French Red cross becoming an ambulance driver during World War l (1914-1818).  A second marriage saw her become a mother of one son but the marriage ended in divorce. Alma turned to her music performing and teaching. In 1925 she married Francis Rattenbury (1867-1935), an architect know for his design of the Parliament Buildings in British Columbia. The couple had one son.Society was stunned when the renowned architect left his first wife to marry Alma. Shunned by society on the Canadian west coast the couple settled in Bournmouth, England in 1928. It was at this time that Alma took the professional name of Lozanne for her compositions and recordings of her works. The marriage began to deteriorate and Alma had an affair with the family chauffeur, George Percy Stoner (1916-2000) In 1935 Alma and Percy were arrested and accused of murdering her husband in March of that year. Percy was found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder but the sentence wa commuted to life in prison when a petition signed by 300,000 people who felt the young man had be manipulated to committing the murder by Alma. He served seven years being released early to join the World War ll (1939-1945) effort.  Found innocent in court Alma, committed suicide shortly after her acquittal. The scandal would become the basis for plays and films, and even an opera. Source: Did You Know?, Association of Canadian Women Composers, Online (accessed 2025)

née Fridman. Born January 6, 1899, Moscow, Russia. Sophie Carmen's mother  was a music teacher for the Tolstoy Family. Since her mother was separated from her father prior to her birth there was some question about her parentage. Sophie-Carmen was sent to England to live with a fost family until 1904 when her mother took her to Paris, France. She showed great promise with playing the piano. At ll she was a violin and piano student at the Paris conservatory. By 12 she was composing music for piano. and appearing at recitals in Paris and Berlin, Germany. She moved to Berlin with her mother in 1914 where she had a scholarship to study. She found herself in conflict wanting to compose music and a demand for public performances. In 1920 she took the professional name Sonia Fridman-Gramatté after marring Walter Gramatté. in  the mid 1920's she lived in Spain and composed several works. She returned to live in Germany but appeared for concerts in Spain. 1929 concerts in North America were delayed by the death of her husband. In 1930 she decided to concentrate on composing. In 1934 she married an Austrian, Ferdinand Eckhardt (1902-1995) and the couple settled in Vienna. She would win several  prizes for compositions in the late  1940's. In October 1953 the couple immigrated to Canada to work in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was commissioned to d music for the Saskatchewan Jubilee which were followed with commissions for the Centennial of Canada and the Manitoba Jubilee. She also did some teaching at this time. In November 1994 a C B C two hour documentary was prepared in her honour.  On a trip to Europe she fell on a bus and never recuperated dieing during surgery. In 1976 the first Eckhardt-Gramatté  National Music Competition was held. In 1980 her husband published the first volume of 23 volumes of her collected work. In 1981 he established the Eckhardt-Gramatté Foundation for performers of her works.   Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

née Mckelvie. Born December 31,1896, near Brandon, Manitoba. . Died March 7, 1968, Calgary, Alberta  . As a child she demonstrated remarkable musical talent. At the are of 12 she won a 3 year scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. She was the first North American to win such an honour and the youngest. She continued her studies at the famed Julliard Scholl of Music in New York City but turned down the opportunity to become a concert pianist so that she could return home to Calgary to be with her mother. It was here that she would marry and have two pianos in her living room and she would offer the adventure of learning music to many of the best in Alberta. In 1936 she was elected as a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in England, the first North American to be granted this honour. She has been described as he world's best music teacher. A Calgary school and the top prize at the Calgary annual Kiwanis Music Festival are named in her memory. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2021)

Born September 6, 1934, Ottawa, Ontario. Died November 1994, Ottawa, Ontario. Anne earned an Artist Diploma at the University of Toronto in 1956. She went on to earn a Master of Music at the Eastern School of Music, Rochester, New York, U.S.A. in 1958. She studied with musicians of her era at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Anne would create works of music in many genres but most of her pieces were for solo piano or for voice and piano. While mainly working at composing she taught piano for many hours a week. One of the works that was often used by her students for professional concerts was Sketches of Ottawa. Her papers were deposited with the National Archives (now Library and Archives Canada) in 1997. Source: Eggleston, Anne, Music Archives, Library and Archives Canada. (accessed 2020)

Born November 7, 1955, Sackville, New Brunswick. Died December 15, 2022, Orangeville, Ontario. Shirley came from a talented musical family and she was given her first guitar when she was just eleven years old. When she was a teen her family relocated to Oshawa, Ontario. At 12 she had her first stage performed at a fiddle festival in Cobourg, Ontario. In 1969 she was successful in her audition for the Songwriter's Workshop at the Mariposa Folk Festival. In 1971 she wrote It Takes Time which was performed by Anne Murray (1945-    ). By the early mid 1970's she had released her first album and her work earned her two R P M Weekly Gold Leaf Awards in Canada and a 1973 and 1974 Juno Awards. This was followed with three more albums. Her works have been recorded by Kim Carnes, Anne Murray, Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Alannah Miles, Cher, and Bonnie Raitt. Her work, Something to Talk About, received a S O C A N Classics Award and a B M I Award. In 2020 Shirley was inducted into the Canadian Songwriter' Her final album was released in October 1921. s Hall of Fame.  (2022)

Born June 9, 1919, Eastbourne, England. Died January 23, 2003, Vancouver, British Columbia. Euphrosyne study composition, voice, piano and viola at the Royal Academy of Music. She had a short operatic career which was cut with the onslaught of World War ll in 1939, In 1942 she married a Canadian artillery officer and in 1945 came to Canada as a war bride. The couple would life in Northern Ontario and Quebec raising their five children. Finally settling in Toronto, she resumed her musical career as a composer, pianist, and teacher. By 1977 she was living in Vancouver, British Columbia, composing solo and chamber music, choral works, and piano music. Her works have been performed throughout North America and in the United Kingdom. Source: Did Your  Know?, Association of Canadian Women Composers, Online, (accessed 2025)

Born August 12, 1899, Hamilton, Ontario. Died April 9, 1988, Leila showed an early talent for playing the piano. After high school she attended Greenville College in Illinois, U.S.A. and then studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She taught at the Conservatory for several years and then became editor of Educational Music for Gordon V. Thompson, music publishers in Toronto.. She was also Director of Music at Lorne Park College. In 1949 she founded her own music publishing company, Montgomery Music inc., in Rochester, New York, U.S.A. commuting from Hamilton for work. She moved the business to Buffalo, New York  and finally to Markham, Ontario. She was inspired to pioneer a children's class of piano lessons in the Toronto Public Schools. The Leila Fletcher Piano course is a whole language approach through sight, ear, technique, transposition, and theory. The course was designed to appear to the average student. During her lifetime she would publish over 250 piano solos through her publishing house. The business still is located in Markham as Mayfair Montgomery Publishing, Canada's second largest educational music publications. Source: Mayfair Music from Canada, Leila Fletcher online (accessed 2024); Leila Fletcher, online (accessed 2024); Obituary, Globe and Mail January 29, 2003, Online (accessed 2025)

Born May 7, 1951, Montreal, Quebec. Janina began talking piano lessons at the age of four from her mother. At the age of twelve she had made her debut as a soloist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. By the age of 17 she simultaneously earned her BA and her Master's degree from the Université of Montréal.  This pianist studied in Montreal, Paris, and the Julliard School in New York City, U.S.A. In 1969 she won 1st prize in the CBC National Radio Competition for Young Performers. In 1974 she had a prize-winning performance at the 1st Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, Tel Aviv, Israel.  She is celebrated as one of the great interpreters of the music of the composers Chopin and  Liszt.  She also enjoys performing works from Mozart, Chopin, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff.  She is known as a pianist of great power who also plays with warmth and tone. She has performed throughout Europe , North America and the Far East. In 2001 she married Harry Oesterle a German music manager. She is the founder and artistic director of Piano Six, a not-for-profit educational outreach program dedicated to keeping classical music alive in small communities throughout Canada. The program was expanded in 2004 to include musicians from strings and voice as well as piano with the new name Piano Plus. In 2001 Janina was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Canada. In 2007 she was awarded the Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Keyboard Artistry. In 2007 she was implemented in one of the biggest scandals in the classical recording business.  In 2012 she received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

née Glenn. Born August 15, 1857, Agra, India. Died August 19, 1937, Calgary, Alberta. Annie was the daughter of a missionary to India. She was educated in voice and piano in the 1880's and 1890's at the Royal Conservatory of Music in England where she performed as an accompanist and sang. She also wrote a book on how to be an accompanist in 1893. She also lectured at the Royal Academy of Music at Dublin University and at Oxford University. At the turn of the century she married Richard W. C. Broder (1844-1924) a widower with one child, who lived in Canada with his first wife. Annie joined him in Regina and the couple later relocated to Calgary, Alberta in 1903. Annie became an integral part of music in her home community. She played the organ and taught voice and piano. She was well known for her recitals and became a music critic for the  Calgary News Telegram and later the Calgary Herald. Some of her writings also appeared in the Toronto Globe and the Winnipeg Free Press. She was held in high esteem enough to be invited to the coronation of King George V in 1910 and  also King George VI in 1936. She was also known for  composing songs including Ride of the North West Mounted Police. The composition was used for many years by R C M P bands. In 1934 she represented Canada at the Anglo-American Music Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. She also wrote Calgary, City of the Foothills. Source: Did you Know? Association of Canadian Women Composers, Online (accessed 2025: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2025); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2025)

Born December 15, 1924, Chelm, Poland. Died July 1, 2020, Pembroke Park, Florida, U.S.A. Ida is said to have picked up her father's violin at the age of three. In 1933 she won the Warsaw (Poland) Conservatory gold medal and the 1st Henryk Weniawski Violin Competition. This violinist is known for her flawless technique and beauty of tone when she plays. She had a long international career beginning as a child prodigy in Poland, playing for British servicemen in World War II (1939-1945) in England. She made annual tours in Europe and ventured to South America and Asia. She lived in Montreal from 1952 through 1989. She was the first western soloist invited to China after the Cultural Revolution in that country. She was a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In 2006 she performed for Pope Benedict XVI. She moved to Miami, Florida, U.S.A. where is actively involved in the Miami International Piano Festival. She was also a sought after adjudicator for violin competitions. Source; Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

née Foy. Born May 24, 1921, Warrenspoint County Down, Ireland. Died January 15, 2005, Toronto, Ontario.Doreen was raised in Listowel, Ontario, and studied violin at the Toronto Conservatory of Music (now Royal Conservatory of Music R C M). She taught violin at Alma College, St. Thomas, Ontario, from 1942-1945 and moved to Mount Allison University, as Head of String Department from 1945-1951. She often performed on CBC radio during these years. She took advanced studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music and earned a scholarship to Salzburg, Austria in 1954-1955. Returning to Toronto she taught at R C M. She introduced the Orff-Schulwerk approach ‘Music for Children’ to North America. In 1956 she joined the staff at the University of Toronto and in 1962 she taught at Mozartium in Salzburg. She went on to give teacher training at various North American universities and wrote numerous helpful music textbooks. In 1965 she was a special consultant for CBC National School Broadcasts on radio. In 1966 she won an Ohio State Award for educational Broadcasting. During the 1967 Canadian Centennial she participated in several special musical productions. In 1974 she founded the Orff-Schulwerk Society of Canada and in 1977 she was presented with the Merit Award from the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. By 1986 she took retirement from the University of Toronto as Professor Emeritus. She earned the Canadian Music Council Medal in 1989 and the following year the Pro Merito Medal from the Carl Orff Foundation of Germany. In 2002 she earned the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Toronto. She was admitted to the Order of Canada in 2008 and was the 1st recipient of the North American Alliance Award of Recognition. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed July 2015)

née Rhue. Born 1863, Buxton, Canada West ( now Ontario). Died April 17, 1958, Buxton, Ontario. Hattie's parents were former American slaves who came to Canada on the Underground Railroad and settled in North Buxton, Ontario in 1854. As a child Hattie leaned to play piano. Hattie became a teacher. She Married Millard Hatchett in 1892 and Hattie taught him to read and write. For almost 70 years Hattie shared her music with the congregation of the North Buxton Baptist Church. She also taught Sunday School  was president of the Baptist Missionary Society and did concerts with children at Summer Bible School. She als composed numerous hymns  including That Scared Spot which  was declared by Cannon Frank Scott, Principal Protestant Chaplin of the Canada Forces Overseas during World War l (1914-1918) as the official Canadian marching song for the troops. She would write 60 poems and compose 23 songs.  Source: That sacred song by Paula McCooey, Globe and Mail, November 11, 2002 Section C:

Born January 31, 1965, Hadera, Israel. As a youngster Ofra at first was tutored by her father. The family immigrated to Canada in 1972 and Ofra  studied in London and Toronto. She made her debut at 10 and has  toured and performed around the world doing public, radio and television performances. She performs in the hopes of eradicating the barrier between classical and pop culture music. She is comfortable performing music of the Beatles and chamber music. She has won several Juno Awards for her recordings. In 1995 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. By 2001 she had produced 38 classical solo albums. Source: Ontario Women's Directorate Accessed June 2003.

(Chu Sha Her) Born 1963, Shaanxi, Republic of China. Qui has loved applause ever since she had her 1st performance when she was just 5 years old. She attended a special school with ½ day music lessons where she learned how to play guitar. She also loved the pipa, a tear drop shaped stringed instrument. At 13 she began her professional performing career as a group member of Baoji Song. At 19 she was attending Xian Academy of Music and eventually became an instructor at the academy. In 1989 while on tour in Canada Qui decided to stay in Vancouver and not return to China. In 1991 she formed a group called Silk Road with other young performers. She began a second group Asza playing the world’s music. She had made several CD’s with both groups as well she has toured North America, Singapore, and Thailand. She is renowned as an accomplished composer.

Born July 26, 1958, Ottawa, Ontario. Born into a musical family, her father was the Cathedral organist in Ottawa, and her mother was her first piano teacher. Angela began her piano studies aged three, performing in public at four and a year later winning her first scholarship She won First Prize in Italy’s Viotti Competition in 1978 and was a top prizewinner in the International Bach competitions of Leipzig and Washington D.C. as well as the Schumann Competition in Zwickau, the Casadesus Competition in Cleveland and the Dino Ciani Competition at La Scala, Milan. In 1985 she won the Toronto International Bach Piano Competition. This Ottawa native, who studied music at Ottawa U, and is particularly well known for playing Bach, though she's recorded other composers as well. In 2005 completed a ten year project to record all of Bach's major keyboard repertoire that has been very well received. In 2002 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. Suggestion Submitted by Teresa Gariepy, Ottawa Ontario.

Born September 2, 1939, London, Ontario. Elaine was introduced to playing the piano by her mother. When lessons were given to students, Elaine would simply go to the piano and play the lesson she had just heard. She was just two and a half when she played the piano on stage in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. At ten she earned an A R C T certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 1958 she earned the Chappell Medal as the most promising pianist in the British Commonwealth. She was home schooled for her high schooling and then studied and toured in Europe and the Soviet Union. She developed a chronic hand injury that caused her to pause her touring and she began her university studies at York University and then at the University of Toronto.  She graduated with her BA in 1970 and her Master's in 1971. She was the 1st woman to receive her Doctorate in Musicology from the University of Toronto in 1976. She taught at York University and Queen's University before setting at Carleton University in Ottawa in 1977. She was the 1st female professor of music to be hired at Carleton. She taught various forms of music gradually specializing in Canadian music. In 1978 she initiated the Festival of Canadian Music ad in 1980 she introduced the 1st courses of Indigenous Music. She help found the Canadian Music Heritage Society serving as vice chair from 1989 through to 200 when she became Chair. She has contributed to the leading music encyclopedias of the day including the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada, The Canadian Encyclopedia, the Dictionary of Music and Musicians and the Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. In 2013 she was the principal author of the Encyclopedia of Native American Music of North America. In 2016 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. (2019)

née Twohy. Born February 8, 1888, Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.  Died July 23, 1969, London, England. Ada’s parents were Canadian and at 13 she was settled with her mother in Hamilton, Ontario. She began formal studies on piano in 1901. In 1904 she gave a solo recital in Toronto. She served as church organist at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church and taught at the Hamilton School of Music. From 1907 through 1916 she taught at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and Moulton Ladies College. In the 1920’s and 1930’s she toured Canada and in England performing recitals. She also composed her own music mainly hymns, children’s songs and music for violin. She married William Kent and the couple had one daughter. Some of her personal papers and music were deposited by family members in 2014 with the Toronto City Archives. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009)

Born November 16, 1964, Nanaimo, British Columbia. One of the world's greatest jazz performers Diana began to study piano when she was four years old. Performing in a local restaurant at 15, she was soon studying on scholarship in Boston, U.S.A. She continued her studies/career in LA playing with the great jazz performers of the era. Back in Toronto she released her first album in 1993. Her albums released in 1998 and 1999 won Grammy Awards. Her albums have turned double platinum in Canada, platinum in Portugal, New Zealand, and Poland and turned gold in France, Singapore and England. She has won several of Canada's Juno Awards for her music and in 2000 she received the Order of British Columbia. In the spring of 2004 she received her own star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto.

Born August 3, 1907, Vienna, Austria. Died March 30, 1998, Toronto, Ontario. In 1923 Greta entered the Vienna Academy of Music and by 1930 she had earned her music teacher diploma. In 1935 she made her performing debut on harpsichord in Austria. By 1937 she was appearing on stage in London, England with the Boyd Neel Orchestra. In 1938 she immigrated to Canada settling 1st in Hawkesbury, Quebec before relocating to teach a Havergal College in Toronto. She was soon doing solo appearances on stage and on CBC Radio. As well as her classical works she performed 20th century harpsichord music. In 1958 through 1963 she founded the Toronto Baroque Ensemble. From 1965 through 1986 she and flutist Robert Aitken formed the Aitken Kraus Duo. In 1939 she had begun to teach piano and coach voice privately and at the Collegium Musicum (Toronto). She also taught at Banff and the Shawinigan Summer School of the Arts as well as at several universities. Confederation of University Faculty Associations for 'an outstanding contribution to university teaching' in 1973, was named an 'Outstanding Woman of the Province of Ontario' in 1975, and received a Toronto Arts Award in 1990 and the Order of Ontario in 1991. She was inducted as a  member of the Order of Canada in 1992. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2009)

Born February 22, 1932, Quebec City, Quebec. Died December 16, 2017, Laval, Quebec. Janine began her studies in piano with Omer Letourneau (1891-1983) and continued her studies with other notable musicians. In 1945 she earned the top award at tha Quebec Symphony Orchestra competition and also won the Prix d'Europe in 1952 where she continued to study in Paris for two years. Returning to Canada in 1955  and was a regular accompanist. From 1963 through 1966 she was a regular pianist for the French opera classes and concerts. She studied Italian opera and worked as an accompanist for Italian, Dutch acclaimed singers. She also recorded with well known performers of her era and often accompanied them on tour. She also taught voice and coached young singers. In 1989 she taught at Petite maison des arts in Montreal While serving as artistic advisor for recitals and other activities. In 2007 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024); Canadian Opera Hall of Fame (accessed 2024).

Born August 14, 1949, New York City, New York, U.S.A. Died June 20, 2021, Victoria, British Columbia. She began studying violin at age seven. She continued her studies as a young woman earning her Bachelor of Music at Brandeis University at Boston, U.S.A. and then studied abroad in the Netherlands. Returning to North America she established her career as a baroque specialist and became a concertmaster. In the late 1970's while a teacher at Smith College in Boston, she made guest appearances in Canada. She must have like what she saw of the country. In 1981 , when she was offered the position at Tafelmusik in Toronto as Music Director, she took the job. By 1988 she had settled herself and became a Canadian citizen. Her talents in baroque, as a violinist, a concertmaster and a teacher were used to good means at Tafelmusik and has garnered many awards including the Muriel Sherrin Award, presented for excellence in international initiatives in music, the Prix Alliance, the Joan Chalmers Award and the Molson Prize. She was a Member of the Order of Canada. Source: Jeanne Lamon, Violinist and former Tafelmusik director, dead at 71 by Robert Rowat, CBC Music, Online (accessed (2025) (

Born April 2, 1960. She studied her beloved music all the way through university. She was the winner of the Canadian Music Competitions in 1977, the CBC National Competition in 1979, the Robert Casadesus International Competition in 1983 and has performed on the piano as a soloist and with orchestras across Canada, the U.S., France England, Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary and Brazil! She is frequently heard on the CBC Radio and has recorded for CBC Records. She taught music at Yale University before returning to teach in Canada at the University of Alberta. 

Born  October 15, 1866, Guelph, Ontario. Died August 18, 1924, Redhill, Surrey, England. In 1881 the family relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba. By her late 20's Laura had herself relocated to England and enrolled in the Royal Academy of Music in London. By the 1890's she had written compositions, mainly for piano, that were published as sheet music. In 1904 she began to collaborate with lyricist Wilfrid Mill. One of their well know works was My Ain Fold: A Ballad of Home and was a popular son for local British singers to record. In 1910 she composted Three Moravian Dances for piano and violin dedicating it to fellow Canadian composer Kathleen Parlow (1890-1963). She never forgot her Canadian roots composing in 1907 Canada Forever, Mighty Dominion in 1907 and Canadian Song Cycle in 1911.As it was for  women authors of the time, Laura often chose to use male pen names; Austin Fleming and Ian Macdonald. Laura never returned to live in Canada. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2023)

née Leatherman. Born November 3, 1936, Goshen, Indiana, U.S.A. Judy studied privately from 1947 through 1956 an later at the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, U.S.A. She holds a Bachelor of Music, and a Master of Music in Opera. She married Joseph Umbrico (d 2007), a trumpeter and the couple had four children. She relocated to Toronto in 1957 following her husband to his job at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.  She was the principal harp for the Toronto Symphony from 1959 through 1991. She earned a Juno Award for Best Classical Album in 1980. She has made numerous guest and solo appearances across Canada. She has taught at the University of Toronto and she established a summer harp school. In 2015 she was appointed to the Order of Canada.   Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2019)

née Kolander. Born April 23, 1940, St Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A. Died December 10, 2012, Vancouver, British Columbia. In 1962 Diane earned her Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, U.S.A. She married Richard Loomer in 1963 and the couple had one son. She worked as a high school teacher in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. for three years. The young couple moved to Vancouver, British Columbia so that Richard could intern for his Medical degree. Once Richard’s studies were complete, Diane returned to studies in music earning her B.A. at the University of British Columbia in 1982. She conducted a choir at  the University  of British Columbia  and studies under well established conductors. She also founded the Douglas Collage Children’s Choir and became assistant director of the Vancouver Bach Choir. In 1987 she co-founded the Elektra Women’s Choir which became recognized internationally. In 1991 she formed Cypress Choral Music Publishing with her husband. In 1992 she founded Chor Leoni Men’s Choir which became one of Canada’s leading male choirs. She composed and arranged numerous spirituals for her choirs. In 1999 her work garnered her recognition with the Order of Canada. In 2002 she received the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee medal. In 2007 she founded En Chor and auditioned 40 voice mixed voice choir for singers over 55 years of age. In 2009 she became conductor emeriti for her choirs. Source: “Choral conductor had a gift for getting the best from her singers” by Suzanne A Hearne, The Globe and Mail, January 9, 2013.  (2021) Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario.

Born July 30, 1949, Vancouver, British Columbia.  Alexina earned a Bachelor of Music in Music History from the University of British Columbia in 1970. She went on to complete studies for her Master's degree from the University of California, San Diego, U.S.A. in 1974. She is a musician and composer who writes music for orchestra, chamber music and electronic music. She relocated to Toronto in 1980. She is known for a work that she dedicated to the memory of the famous Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. In 1986 she composed the opening music, The Ringing Earth, for Expo 86 in Vancouver and was named that year as Composer of the Year by Canadian Music Council. In 1988 she won a Juno Award for her orchestral composition, Song of Paradise. In 1990, 1992, and 2003 she received the SOCAN Concert Music Award for the most performed Classical composer of the year. In 1999 she won the Jules Leger Prize for new Chamber Music  for Nightfall, a work for 14 strings written for I Musici de Montreal. In 2001 she was inducted into the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada in 2005. In 2006 she was made a fellow of he Royal Society of Canada. (2018)

Born April 2, 1946, Montreal, Quebec. Died June 14, 2022, Montreal, Quebec. Denise trained as a concert pianist in Montreal and earned her bachelor of music from Ecole Vincent-d'Indy in 1966. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Musical interpretation from the Université de Montréal. During her student years she performed as a soloist and accompanist for various concerts including some at the Youth Pavilion at Expo '67. In 1969 she married Roland Richard (1943-2024). Throughout the 1960's she earned a number of regional awards for piano. She went on to study piano with various teachers including Gerald Moore in London, England. Returning to Canada she performed and toured and recorded with Jeunesses Musicales Canada working with her husband. She continued to study at Ottawa University, Orford Musique, and the National Arts Centre with Mario Bernardi (193-2013). In 1993 she retired as principle repertory pianist with Opéra de Montréal where she had worked since 1980. In 1994 she began to work at the metropolitan Opera in New York City where she also became a  Vocal Arts faculty member at the famous Juilliard School from 1998 to 2018. She worked as a voice coach for up and coming performers in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Santa Barbara, Montreal and in Germany. In 2013 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. In 2018 she retired and settled in Montreal. The performing Arts Foundation of the Americas provides an award honouring her passion in teaching music. The Centre -de-soir-Denise-Masse is located in Montreal. Source; Canadian Opera Hall of Fame (accessed 2024)

Born December 11, 1921, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Died 1991, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She was educated locally and served as secretary-manager of the Portage la Prairie Chamber of Commerce for many years. With her husband she led, and played piano in, the Brookers Bombshells, a leading dance band in southern Manitoba. She also helped found the Portage Music and Arts Festival. Source: Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by J. M. Bumsted University of Manitoba Press, 1999

Born February 6, 1946, Montreal, Quebec. Died January 18, 2010, Montreal, Quebec. Kate was the youngest of three sisters who grew up in St-Sauveur-des-Monts, Quebec. Along with her sister and partner, Anna, she began singing folk music in coffee houses in Montreal in the 1960’s. From 1963 to 1967 she joined Jack Nisserson and Peter Weldon to form the Mountain City Four. Kate studied engineering at McGill University before she began writing songs.  In 1976 they produced a record album together which won Best Record of the year from Melody Maker. Kate married Loudon Wainwright lll and the couple had two children, Rufus  Martha who themselves became acclaimed musicians.  After a brief solo experience in New York, Kate rejoined her sister and more albums followed including a French language collection in 1982. n 1998 the sisters won Juno Awards for two albums. The McGarrigles were named to the Order of Canada in 1994.In 1999 Kate and Anna earned Women of Originality Awards. In 2006 the sisters received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).  In 2008, after a diagnoses of cancer Kate established a Fund at the McGill University Health Centre to raise awareness of the rare cancer called Sarcoma. May 12-13, 2011 a tribute concert was filmed and released in June 2013 as:  Sing Me the Songs: Celebrating the Works of Kate McGarrigle. Place Kate McGarrigle was inaugurated August 7, 2013 in Montreal. Source: Kate McGarrigle honoured in Montreal by Nelson Wyatt, Canadian Press, August 8, 2023, online  (accessed 2024)

Born Morden, Manitoba. February 17,1957. As a young girl, she was trained in classical singing. During her teens she experimented with folk music and performed in clubs in her home town of Winnipeg. In the 1970's she became familiar with Celtic music.  She worked as a singer, actress and writer at the famous Stratford Festival in Ontario. She learned to play the harp and even played as a busker on the streets of Toronto. She has written musical scores for works by the National Film Board of Canada as well as producing albums of her work. Her 1991 album won a Juno Award. The recording "The Bells of Christmas" was recorded for the Walt Disney film The Santa Claus in 1994.

Born June 13, 1972, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Natalie was introduced to the fiddle when she was nine and had her performing debut that same year. She released her 1st album when she was 16 and in 1991 she released her second album. In 1998 the album A Compilation was produced. In 1999 she performed at the Juno Awards. In 2002 she married fiddler Donnell Leah and the couple Lakefield, Ontario. The couple have seven children. The couple have appeared as sol artists, as a duo and have performed and recorded together with their fiddle playing children. She has begun to mix her Cape Breton roots music with Celtic and American bluegrass music. She has received a number of Canadian music awards, including several "Artist of the Year" awards from the East Coast Music Association, two Juno Awards for best instrumental album, and "Fiddler of the Year" from the Canadian Country Music Association. In 2006 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. (2019)

Married John Masicoli and had four Children. Dorthea was a well respected choral leader of the Porcupine Choristers. The Dorthea Masicoli Scholarship is in her honour. Source: Nino Masicoli, Obituary, Timmins Daily Press, June 17, 2017, Online, (accessed 2024); Lillian (Mascioli) Giallonardo, Timmins Daily Press, January 23, 2020, Online (accessed 2024); 100 Faces of Timmins Mural, Northern Ontario Discussion Board online (accessed 2024);

née Munter Born June 12, 1945, Quebec City, Quebec. Died January 16, 2013, As a youngster she showed musical talent with the piano. As an adult she would record he playing with Quality Records of Canada, Master Recordings, and Gemstone Records. She made two concert tours crossing the country she loved. She married composer David Mills. Marjorie Mills School is located in Longlac, Ontario. Source: Obituaries The Globe and Mail January 19, 2013.  Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario.

Born July 4, 1905, Montreal, Quebec. Died May 9, 1997, Montreal, Quebec. In 1926 she travelled to Brussels on a scholar ship to study piano. Returning home to Canada she joined the Dubois String Quartet and played  20 years as a member of the group. From 1936-1964 she was a pianist for the Montreal Symphony. A linguist who knew Spanish, Italian and German the translated and published opera librettos.  Orchestra. She worked as a music coach at McGill University and the Ecole normale de musique in Montreal. In 1980 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1982 she received the Calixa-Lavallée Award and in 1987 she became Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online, (accessed 2010)

Born September 20, 1890, Fort Calgary, Alberta. Died August 19, 1963. When she was just four her mother Minnie took her to live in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. and made sure Kathleen received violin lessons. Her 1st teacher labelled her a child prodigy. Kathleen made her professional debut in 1907 in Berlin Germany. Known as ‘the Lady of the Golden Bow’ she toured Europe, Russia, North America and Asia. On January 1, 1905, the 14 year old Kathleen arrived in England to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra and from there she became the 1st foreign student at the St Petersburg Conservatory in Russia. At 17 she was doing solo recitals on a very tight living budget tour of Europe. While in Norway she gained a patron and received a violin a Guarnerius del Gesù created in 1735, which remained her primary instrument. During her 3rd North American tour she recorded several pieces for Columbia Records. She also toured Hawaii, the Far East, China, and Japan. At 40 she turned more and more to teaching to ensure an income. Her 1st faculty appointment was to the music department of Mills College in Oakland, California. Kathleen also organized a string quartet. In 1933, Mills College awarded her an honorary Master of Arts degree and by the summer of 1935, she had formed the South Mountain Parlow Quartet in Massachusetts, U.S.A. In 1936 she took an appointment at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City.. By 1940 she had returned to Canada where in 1941 the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto engaged her for a series of lecture-recitals. In Toronto she formed The Canadian Trio. In 1942 she formed her 3rd string quartet, entitled simply The Parlow String Quartet. This group, for 15 years, performed only in Canada and for the C B C. From financial necessity, Parlow continued performing, giving a concert series in Toronto in January 1958. As her career wound down she had no pension and by 1959, for not the 1st time in her career, she relied on the generosity of others Her friends, established a fund for her support. In October 1959, friends arranged for the 70-year-old violinist to be appointed head of strings at the College of Music of the University of Western Ontario.  Source: Kathleen Parlow, Violinist and teacher (1890-1963) Collections Canada National Library of Canada. (accessed 2000)

Born January 2, 1912, Winnipeg, Manitoba  Died February 5, 2000, Vancouver, British Columbia. During her childhood her physical activities and social life where curtailed by a heart disorder. At nine she began to study piano at the Rupert's Land Girls' School. She became interested in music composition and despite lack of encouragement from her teachers and family she continued to compose when a teen.  She attended boarding School at Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School in Montreal from 1927-1929 and then finally with family approval she studied composition in Paris, France. She returned to Canada and after some private schooling she began her own career as a concert pianist. In 1936 she attended the famous Juilliard School of Music in New York City in the United States. Her compositions were entered in the art competition in the 1948 Summer Olympics, London, England. In the mid 1950's she was producing some of her finest works. One of the first Canadian composers  to use avant-garde techniques, she has helped introduce two generations of young Canadians to modern Music. As a women in the profession she was often dismissed by fellow male composers. Her academic career at the University of British Columbia was short as she did not agree with some academic standards. Barbara was a member of the Canadian League of Composers and the Canadian Music Centre.  She was named to the Order of Canada in 1989.In 1993 she was inducted into the Order of British Columbia.  Her Centennial was celebrated with a 2012 concert series sponsored by the British Columbia Region of the Canadian Music Centre and included a revival of her opera, The Lake. The Library and Archives of Canada holds a large number of her scores and recordings. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2018)

Born January 31, 1967, Edmonton, Alberta . She began Cello lessons at age 3! She had her first public performance at age 6! It is no wonder this musical prodigy was accepted in the gifted youth programme at the Banff centre for the Arts in Alberta. She went to Yale University in the U.S. to earn a degree in art history and returned to studying the cello at the Yale School for Music. Her New York debut was in 1983. Since then she has performed world wide and made numerous recordings. In 1994 she accepted a position to teach cello at the University of Toronto.

née Coulombe. Born August 9, 1938, Notre-Dame-de-la-Doré, Quebec. Died February 2, 1985, Montreal, Quebec. Micheline studied at the Ecole de musique Vincent-d"indy, the Conservatoire de musique du Québec and the Conservatoire de Paris in France. She was a composer and teacher who played a profound role in the development of contemporary music in both North America and Europe. She was commissioned to write works for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) and the Quebec Contemporary Music Society. In 1967 she earned the Prix d'Europe for her work. In 1969 she co-founded Groupe international de musique electroacoustique de Paris and back in Montreal she was co-founder of the Ensemble Polycousmie in 1971. She taught music at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec.Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2010)

Born September 21, 1934, Dunedin, New Zealand. A child prodigy on the piano Gloria studied first in New Zealand and then winning scholarships she studied in London, England and Europe. She settled in Calgary, Alberta in 1963 and that same year won the Harriet Cohen Commonwealth Medal. She has toured and performed throughout North America, Europe and in her homeland of New Zealand. She founded the Chinook Piano Competition , which became a national event by 1985. She formed part of the Chinook Trio with Susan Hoeppner (flutist) and Ofra Harnoy (cellist) and later joined the Canadian Piano Trio, an ensemble in-residence at Your University in Toronto. She was artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Calgary and hosted a Calgary TV program called Musical Portraits. She has also enjoyed a career in teaching with the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music. and at a private studio. She has received awards for her contribution to her community from both provincial governments of Alberta and Ontario. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2018) (2024)

Born August 12, 1914, Toronto, Ontario. Died January 4, 1981, Toronto, Ontario. Ruth was born with Canadian/U.S.A. parents and became a naturalized Canadian in 1942. She lived in California during her early teen years but by 16 she was promoting the sale of sheet music by playing the tunes on piano at Toronto music stores. Using the name Nancy Lee she worked in Toronto night clubs and in 1933 worked with singer George Taggart on radio station C K N C. She sang with a female vocal trio, The Shadows and performed with some of the big bands of the era. In the med to late 1930’s she was working with bands in the U.S.A. In 1938 she married Harold Cohen a Chicago music publicist. He died during surgery the following year. Back in Toronto in 1939 she composed the son ‘I’ll Never Smile Again’ after the death of her husband. She offered the song to a member of the famous Tommy Dorsey Band and Dorsey (1905-1956) gave the song to his male singer Frank Sinatra (1915-1998). It proved to be a big hit for the famous crooner. In 1942 she penned ‘Put your Dreams Away for Another Day’ which was also picked up by Sinatra becoming his closing theme song at his concerts. The song was also played at his funeral. The song was also covered by crooner Perry Como (1912-2001), Barry Manilow (1943-   ) and Canadian singer Gisèle MacKenzie (1927-2003). Ruth retired from performing in the early 1940’s but continued to compose. In 1945 she married Nathan Sandler and the couple had two sons. In 1982, just a year after her death she was induced into the American Music Hall of Fame and given an honorary Grammy Award.  The Musical ‘Ruthie’ is based on her life and staged in 1990 in Toronto. Her story is also chronicled in the documentary ‘I’ll Never Smile Again: The Ruth Lowe Story by Great North Productions Inc. in 2001. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed March 2016)

Born February 4, 1837, Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Died November 25, 2010, Toronto, Ontario. While still a teen Ann began composing music after attending a summer music camp in Banff, Alberta. She went on to study composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music and attended the University of Toronto (U of T) from 1960-63 learning electronic music. By 1966 she was a teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She began a collaboration with The New Dance Group of Canada (later known as Toronto Dance Theatre) in 1967, where she became composer-in-residence in 1968. She was a founding member, and served as the 1first president from 1980–88 Association of Canadian Women Composers. Ann was also an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, which named its recording collection the Ann Southam Digital Audio Archive. She was awarded with the Friends of Canadian Music Award in 2001. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2010. Her she left $14 million to the Canadian Women's Foundation. Source: Ronald Napier: A guide to Canada's Composer ; Willodale, Avondale Press.

née MacQuarrie. Born December 28, 1892, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Died May 5, 1993, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Rita studied piano, organ, and cello at the Halifax Ladies College and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. She went on to study nursing at the Toronto General Hospital. In 1922 she married Roy Aubrey Spencer and the couple settled in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. During World War l (1914-1918) she played the accompaniment to silent movies. During World War ll she played to entertain troops. She performed on a weekly C B C radio program and with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. She would head the Saskatoon Women's Musical Club and the Musical Arts Club. She composed nearly forty works being best know for Prairie Suite No. 1 and 24 preludes. Many of her compositions appeared on programs on music festivals and conservatory exams throughout Canada. In 1977 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth ll Silver Jubilee Medal.  Source: Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan online (accessed 2022)

Born August 25, 1910, Montreal, Quebec. Died February 16, 2012, Montreal, Quebec. The violin wass her personal instrument of choice. She studied in Canada and the U.S. She was the first Canadian woman soloist heard on radio when she performed under conductor Fritz Reiner the Tchaikovsky “Concerto. “ She Founded the New York Women’s Chamber Orchestra and when she returned to live in Quebec in 1940 she founded and became the conductor of the 80 member Montreal Women’s Symphony Orchestra. In 1947 the women were the first Canadian Symphony Orchestra to play in the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City!! The Orchestra would continue to perform well into the 1960’s. Ethel has been awarded many honours for her contributions to the Canadian music scene. She has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary, the Order of Canada and the Canada 125 Medal in 1992. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

Born December 20, 1934, Herentals, Belgium. Died January 3, 2016, Montreal, Quebec. At 11 Nadia was studying at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels where she earned the Premiers prix in solfege, dictation, theory, piano, and chamber music. She went on to stud at the Chapelle musicale of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium from 1956 through 1959 earning a Diplômée de la Chapelle musicale. She went on to perform in Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Berlin, as well as in her home country of Belgium. Nadia immigrated to Canada in 1966, after making her Montreal all debut in Montreal in 1964. She became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1972. She taught at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec in Quebec City, Trois Riviéres and by 1988 in Montreal She would perform with the C B C orchestras in Montreal and Quebec City. She was the life partner for 60 years of musicologist Andrée 'Dede' Desautels (1923-2023).  Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, online (accessed 2025)

née Peterson. Born May 7, 1920, Montreal, Quebec. Died August 11, 2017, Montreal, Quebec. Daisy was the sister of the famous Canadian musician Oscar Peterson (1927-2007). Her father was a porter with the Canada Pacific Railway who bought himself a piano and taught himself to play and read music. He charged Daisy with teaching her siblings. After surviving a bout of tuberculosis and having to spend several months in a sanatorium she continued her piano studies at McGill Universities earning an associate degree in music. To pay for her university studies she worked as a domestic, a seamstress, and even as a riveter in an airplane factory. Using her vast classical repertoire she also performed recitals and also gave music lessons to neighbourhood children. A musician in her own right she taught many of the most notable figures in Canadian jazz music. Daisy married James Sweeney and the couple had a family of nine children some of their own, some adopted and some fostered. She would also play the organ for St. Jude's Anglican Church, the Union United Church, and the Robert Campbell Presbyterian Church.  She was the co-founded the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir (since 1982 Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir) in 1974. By the 1980's she was continuing her private teaching and did work at the Negro Community Centre where she gave  lessons to hundreds of students for the sum of twenty-five cents a lesson. In 1999 she was featured in the Round Table Black History Month Calendar. She was a recipient of a Martin Luther Kin Award from the Black Theatre Workshop. The Canadian Minister of Citizenship and Immigration awarded her a Certificate of Recognition for her selfless contribution to her community and her country. In 2018 she was honoured with a community mural by artist Kevin Ledo on a building in Montreal's Little Burgundy neighbourhood. 1n 2019 the city of Montreal named a street and a park in her honour. Source: The Daisy Peterson Sweeney Official Website online (accessed 2022);

née Reed. Born January 8, 1944, Dungannon (near Stratford) Ontario. Died December 31, 1988, Barrie, Ontario. Eleanor studied classical violin as a youth before choosing fiddle music as her preferred art form. She won the women's Class Canadian Open Old Time Fiddler's Competition four times from 1967 through 1974.In 1973 she married Graham Craig Townsend (1942-1998) and the couple had at least one son. In 1979 she became the first woman to win the Old Time Fiddlers Open Class Competition (competition open to both men and women). When she was not touring with her music she taught fiddling at the boards of education in Scarborough and Simcoe Ontario. She and Graham often toured together. In 1993 the couple earned the Porcupine Award for their music. She cut four albums of music and published the Townsend Old-Time Fiddle method (1996). Both she and Graham are member of the Fiddler's Hall of Fame in Oceola, New York, U.S.A. and also the Canadian National Fiddling Hall of Fame. Eleanor died just a few months after the death of Graham. Source: Canadian Fiddle Hall of Honour Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association, Online, (accessed 2024) Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2024)

Born September 5, 1934, Portsmouth, England. Valerie learned to play the piano as a child. Her extraordinary talent started her on a career as a concert pianist when before she was 12 she had broadcast for the BBC and was appearing regularly before the public on the concert platform. She was one of the youngest students ever to be admitted to the Royal Academy of Music. A bursary took her to Paris to study in 1955-1956. She has played in most of the major concert halls and appeared with many of the leading orchestras and conductors in England, Europe and North America.  In 1971 she settled to live in Canada. In 1976 she became Associate Professor of Music at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. In 1980 she was1st Artist-in-Residence at McMaster University. She enjoys playing all sorts of music from Bach, Liszt, and Chamber music to contemporary composers. She has been awarded several distinctions for her services to music including being an early recipient of the Harriet Cohen Award. The Liszt Memorial Plaque was bestowed on her by the Hungarian Minister of Culture in recognition of her lifelong promotion of Franz Liszt's music. Valerie had presented at numerous radio (BBC and CBC) and her works have also been recorded for sale and distribution. (2025)

Born April 14, 1911, Liberia. Died March 8, 1982, Toronto, Ontario. Grace immigrated to Canada in 1920 and settled in Toronto. She graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. For some 45 years she would teach the youth of Toronto music lessons. She was the choir leaded and organist of the British Methodist Episcopal Church. In the 1930's she was known to have established a summer camp for Black youth in the city. Source: Our Lives and The Black Women's Collective Salutes Women in Our history in Our Lives: Canada's First Black Women's Newspaper Vol 2 No. 1 March April 1987. Online (accessed 2023); Find a grave Canada online (accessed 2023)

Born August 21, 1929, Laval-des-Rapides, Quebec. Died March 7, 2003, Montreal, Quebec. Jeannine studied music at the Institut Nazareth and the University of Montreal in 1950. In 1949 she won 2nd prize in the Casavat Society competition and in 1952 she won the Royal Canadian College of Organists top prize. She was organist at St Paul-de-la-Croix church from 1952 until 1974. She taught at Institut Nazareth from 1955 through 1970and later until 1983 she taught at the University of Montreal. In 1962 she won a competition sponsored by the Canadian Amateur Musicians. In late 1970’s and through the 1980’s she was organist at various parishes in Montreal. After she retired she copies scores and pioano methods in Braille for the Canadian Institute for the Blind. Some of her original manuscripts are on deposit at the Bibliothèquaires du Quebec.  Source: L'encyclopedie Canadienne Online (accessed 2019)

Born October 16, 1949, Winnipeg Manitoba. Died July 6, 1982, Toronto, Ontario. Jane loved music and began piano lessons at 6. She performed on the CBC television’s Call all Children. She earned the Earl Ferguson Award at the Manitoba Music Festival. In 1970 she graduated from the University of Manitoba. She played for a short while for the Winnipeg Ballet School before relocating to Toronto to further studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She played for ballet classes, the Global Village Theater, the Toronto Workshop Theatre and the Young Peoples’ Theatre. A;; the while she was composting music for Carol Bold Plays. It was during this time that she came to love and perform the blues. In 1973 she joined the all male band Downchild Blues Band . The group would record six albums together and travel to demanding crowds throughout North America. She played with the Band in Toronto when she became too ill with leukemia to travel. Brandon University established a scholarship for piano Performance in her memory. Source: Jane Vasey. Manitoba Music Museum. Online (accessed May 2014)

née Duke. Born September 12, 1924, La Tuque, Quebec. Died May 10, 2022, Toronto, Ontario. Sylvia was actually born on September 13 but superstitions were strong and the time was slightly changed to record the birth on September 12!  In 1930 Leah Duke brought her five children to join her husband Abraham in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The children attended public school and had their school day extended by having to attend ‘Cheder’ at the local synagogue, ensuring that the children learned about their Jewish heritage, religion, and the Hebrew language. Sylvia also learned to play the violin and the viola.  As an adult she played with the Kirkland Lake Orchestra and with the Symphony Orchestra and Choir in Rouyn, Quebec. In 1943 she married Don Wertman and in 1947 she became the mother of daughter Leslie, the first baby of the year.  A year later the couple welcomed a second child, Sydney (Rick). Sylvia and Don and Don’s parents, Sam and Yetta, managed The Fashion Centre with Sylvia providing local women with modern ladies wear fashions. In 1968 she was a founding member of the Kirkland Lake Music Council. Sylvia also enjoyed painting and was an active member of the Northern Art Association. She and her daughter Leslie attended sessions at the Banff School of Fine Arts in Alberta. She was a member of Hadassah, the Jewish Women’s group. She also served on the board of the Junior School of the Arts in Northern Ontario. She also played the French horn in the Kirkland Lake Brass Band for 30 years. She retired from the Kirkland Lake Brass Band in 2010 and a sym phony orchestra in Quebec when she was 86 years old. At the time she had become quite hard of hearing and the drive to play in Quebec was too long. Sat 96 she fell and broke her hip and relocated to live in a nursing home in Toronto near her son.  Source: Sylvia Wertman, Voices of our Past, Looking to our Future: The Women of Kirkland Lake, Museum of Northern History, Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Online (accessed 2025) Obituary, Steeles Memorial Chapel, Online (accessed 2025);A sincere thank you for  Information  from family member S. Wertman

née Wilson. Born April 13, 1914, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Died November 7, 2011, Kalona, British Columbia. Margaret received her first violin at the age of five. Her passion for the musical instrument lasted a lifetime. As a child prodigy she performed throughout western Canada. In 1932 she was noticed by a Hungarian violinist, Geza DeKresz, and she was invited to Hungary to study in Budapest, Hungary, and later in Salzburg, Austria. She returned to Canada in 1937 where, in Ottawa, she played for the C B C Radio. It was here that she met and married Armond Weisbord. The couple had two daughters. They often perform together and were well known. She often joked that she played second fiddle to her husband. She took over Armond’s job of playing the violin at the Chateau Laurier while he served his country during the World War ll (1939-1945) for four years. Later in life she backed up for the entertained Rod Stewart. She also enjoyed teaching violin to the children in Ottawa before she retired to British Columbia to be closer to her family. Source: “Concert violinist Loved to Teach Young Children” by Margaret Wilson Weisbord, Ottawa Citizen, November 3, 2012 : Obituary, Ottawa Citizen, November 19, 2011. Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario.

née Sparks. Born April 12, 1914, Ottawa, Ontario. Died September 15, 1986, Ottawa, Ontario. A film producer, cinematographer, director, and scriptwriter, Judith, and her husband Frank “Budge” Crawley (1911-1987) formed Crawley Films in 1939, which became one of Canada’s foremost independent production companies. Budge was actually the 'boy next door' and the couple married October 1, 1938 and had six children. She wrote her first script, Ile d'Orleans, in 1938 which was the first film the couple worked on together and during their honeymoon no less! She worked freelance and as a director for the National Film Board (N F B) of Canada where she was the first woman to direct an N F B film, Four New Apple Dishes. She took an interest in raising children and in 1947 she wrote, directed, and starred in the short film Know Your Baby. In 1950 she was filmmaker of what is now considered a Canadian classic, The Loon's Necklace. In 1975 her script, The Man Who Skied Down Everest, won Canada's first Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. In 1965 she became separated from her husband and she founded a film production company with two of her children. She was also president of the Canadian Film Institute 1979-1982. In 1986 the couple was presented with a joint Special Achievement Genie Award for their work in the Canadian film industry. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online, (accessed 2025)

Born 1955, Punjab, India. A feminist of Sikh descent s he came to Canada with her family as an infant. She has earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Falmouth School of Art at Cornwall, England in 1978. She returned to school at York University in Toronto for her masters in 2002. Her paintings combine fragments from the past such as photographs and mementos with paper made from organic plants in geometrically arrangements. She has also tried her talents as an author of short stories. Since 1983 she has participated in solo and group exhibitions throughout Canada. Her works resides in major public collections across Canada as well.

née Plottel. Born May 17, 1927, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died June 5, 2017, Beverly Hills, California.  Marilyn began her career working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (C B C). In 1947 she married Monty Hall (1921-2017), a Canadian-American radio and television show host. The couple moved to California, U.S.A. in 1955. The couple had three children. As a song writer she wrote Is it Possible That I've Been Gone So Long. She would become an author of the cook book The Celebrity Kosher Cookbook with Rabbi Jerome Cutler in 1975. She became a writer for television and a producer working for P B S she adapted The Ginger Tree and  the 1984 film Nadia She also produced the documentary A Woman Called Golda and Do You Remember Love? both of which garnered her Emmy Awards. As a journalist she worked as a book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times newspaper. Marilyn died just three and a half months before the death of her husband. (2024)

Born October 4, 1944, Shoal Lake, Manitoba. She attended school in Rivers, Manitoba before heading off to Ryerson University in Toronto. Her education also included hands on training through cable television, commercial video, television and film productions. She has applied herself as a newspaper columnist, book editor, and a writer of screenplays. She has worked in most areas of film and television productions, from setting up equipment through budgeting and production management to songwriting. Through this experience she had gained insight to cost control and financial accountability while still appreciating the artistic demands of production. In 1989 she received a CTV Fellowship Award. She has always taken an active interest in her community and expressed herself in politics by running as a federal Liberal Candidate in the elections in 1979 and 1980 in Calgary. Her work in her community, her volunteer efforts and her political involvement earned her the nomination as a Woman of Distinction in Calgary 1981. The award encouraged her and she continues her volunteering with such organizations as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Variety Club and the Canadian Fund for the Support and Assistance of Lung Transportations.

Born March 26, 1955. After studies at the Ontario College of Art she began her career as a filmmaker. She has earned recognition as a strong independent filmmaker. She has also returned her time to her profession by participating in various associations for Canadian filmmakers and has served as a board member for the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto. She earned the Award of Merit at the Charleston International Film Festival in 1994.

Born March 27, 1961, Ottawa, Ontario. Died April 29, 2014, Toronto, Ontario. When Marta was just eight years old she announced she was going to be a filmmaker! At 17 she apprentices with sound editor, Bruce Nyznik.  Marta loved trains and her first film was Train of Thought in 1991. In 2006 she worked on Shattered Dreams, a documentary about disadvantaged Toronto youth. The Saviour of Ceylon displayed the heroism of R C A F officer Leonard Birchall (1915-2004). She also produced a seven-part series about Jean Vanier (1928-2019), Being 80. In all she worked as editor and director on some 30 films with Jean Vanier. She had one son with partner Peter Hastings. Source: Lives Liver: Marta Nielsen 53. by Richard Nielsen, Globe and Miail, July 8 2014.

Born June 6, 1932, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec. A film director and producer, she joined the National Film Board in 1960.  Her efforts allowed female film producers their first organized platform for expression. In 1968 her documentary Film Du Mere en fille was the 1st feature film ever directed by a French-Canadian women. In 1996 her documentary film, Tu as Crie: Let me go. was made to help her understand the events leading to the murder of her daughter. In 2001, Poirier received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in film. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003.

Born Saint John, New Brunswick. Died January 10, 2009. She was a writer, editor, educator, TV and film producer, philanthropist, and a businesswoman. She studied at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia for her Bachelor of Education and earned her masters' at the University of Toronto (U of T). She would teach high school in Etobicoke. She eventually became involved with TVOntario, a public education broadcaster exploring the medium of television as an educational tool. She worked on the show Hooked on Reading, encouraging parents to read to their children.  She won a Gemini Award for best shot dramatic program: Saying Goodbye: the First Snowfall, which was a ten part drama/documentary series on grief and bereavement. After suffering a massive heart attach she returned to the less stressful rehlm of teaching school. She became a team leader and consultant at Toronto Western Commercial and Technical School working with inner city teen with low literacy levels. She was the director of the Ambassador Program which is an educational program for 16-24 year old youth who lived on Toronto’s streets for which MacLean's magazine called her a hero.  In New York City, U.S.A. she created the Family Learning Circle initiative in 1998 which was a three-site adult education school serving 1,000 African-American and Latina women annually. She was the mother of two sons. The Linda Marie Gillingwater Rainsberry Graduate Scholarship is awarded from Dalhousie University to assist single mothers intent on earning a degree.  Source: Toronto Star, January 17, 2009 pg. CL9; Linda Gillingwater Rainsberry (BA '66); A Canadian Hero, Dalhousie University, online ((accessed 2024); Obituary online (accessed 2024); Not on find a grave 2024.

Born 1930, Montreal, Quebec. Betty was brought up in New Brunswick where her family loyalist roots. After working as a TV producer in New Brunswick, Betty relocated to Montreal where she worked as an office supervisor for a cable TV company. She noticed that there was noting on TV about Blacks and decided to do something about this! As the first Back woman TV producer she created the TV program, Black Is which aired in the 1970's as Canada's first all-Black TV program. It dealt with contemporary issues in the Black community such as police brutality and discriminatory immigration. She ran a television workshop teaching Black youth the basics of production. She spoke out against racial and gender equality in the workplace being herself a Black woman in a male dominated field. Source: Rediscovering the Roots of Black New Brunswickers. online (accessed 2022)

Born 1954, Ottawa, Ontario. Denise studied music at L'Ecole des Beaux-Arts d'Aix-en-Provence, France. She took travel time from her studies to visit Israel, India and South America. Back home in Canada in 1978 she worked at the French-language theatre company of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Moving on to work with the Canadian Department of Communications she attended workshops on filmmaking at the Canadian Film Institute and decided to strike out on her won making movies. In 1984 she relocated to Montreal and worked for the Société générale du cinema gaining a solid base understanding of the industry. She founded in 1988 Cinémaginaire with production manager Daniel Louis. The 1st film she produced A corps perdu in 1988 won six Genie Awards. From 1997 for two years she served as President of  2003 her film Les Invasions barbares, directed by husband Denys Arcand, won the Oscar. The couple have an adopted daughter from China. In 1997 for two years she served as President of Cinematheque Québécoise and from 1999 to 2002 she was President of the Association of Film and Television in Quebec. By 2002 Cinémaginaire was established as a commercial force in the francophone film industry. Denise is a member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's National Advisory Council and a member of the producer's branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (Academy Awards), the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (B A F T A) and the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma (César Awards).  In 2003 her film Les Invasions barbares directed by husband Denys Arcand won the Oscar. Her 2009 film De pére en flic is the highest-grossing French Canadian film up to 2015. Her films have won more than 100 awards worldwide.  She is a Chevalier in France's L'Ordre des arts et des lettres.  (2019)

Born December 12, 1965, Hong Kong. Mina studied for a degree in Theatre and then Film and TV Production at the University of British Columbia. She is a writer and producer of films and is perhaps best known for her work in short films. In 1993 her work Me, Mom and Mona, won a special Jury Citation for Best Canadian Short Film. She has won a Genie Award for Best Actress and Best Editing and she has been nominated for seven Genies in the categories of Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Screenplay.

Born 1947, Montreal, Quebec. Laura was born with an undiagnosed learning disability but she had she had unstoppable determination. She learned things in her won way. At 14 she joined the Peace Movement and learned to research events, debate ideas and calculate strategies. She became a single parent and stared her career in 1979 with the National Film Board of Canada Challenge for Change Program. She would be one of the women film makers who laid the ground work for the famous “Studio D” a special unit of the National Film Board dedicated to films about women’s issues. In 1983 she established SKYWORKS, a charitable foundation that is a community based not-for-profit educational documentary production organization. Sources: Herstory, the Canadian Women’s Calendar 2006 Coteau Books, 2005

Born September 23, 1946, Edmonton, Alberta.  Actor, filmmaker, producer, director, and writer are her professions. She worked for the National Film Board of Canada in the 1970’s working on numerous documentaries.  Her film “Bye Bye Blues” made in 1990 won three Genie Awards.

Judith Anne Lawrence

Puppeteer

Born December 14, 1934, Barnsdale, Victoria, Australia. Judith leaned how to make puppets after writing to a children's show. Finding that some internationally experience would be an asset to a career as a puppeteer. Judith went to Canada where she taught kindergarten in Deep River, Ontario. In 1960 she co-founded the Voice of Women. She began working for the CBC and created puppets for the Butter Square Show in 1964. By 1967 she was creating puppets for Ernie Coombs (1927-2001) and the Mr. Dressup TV Show. Her two puppets Casey and Finnegan were an integral part of the show. Judith and Ernie Coombs often adlibbed much of the show. Casey was androgynous so that both boys and girls could consider him one of them. Judith also wrote numerous books for the publisher Thomas Nelson in the series Young Canada Reads. In the 1970's  she served on the 1st National Action Committee on the Status of Women. In 1989 she retired to Hornby Island in British Columbia taking her beloved puppets with her. Mr. Dressup explained to his TV fans that Finnegan and Casey were now in Kindergarten to explain that they were no longer part of the show.  In 2001 she inducted into the Order of Canada honouring both her work for children and as an activist. In 2001 she was presented with the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal. That same year she participated in a documentary film, Tales from the Tickle Trunk: the Life and Times of Ernie Coombs and a second documentary honouring Mr. Dressup, The Friendly Giant and other children's shows.  In 2012 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal. While Casey and Finnegan live with Judith for the moment they will eventually be housed in the C B C Museum. Judith brings out the puppets for special visitors and once in awhile for a special appearance a local senior events. (2020)

née Brathwaite. Born May 10, 1939, Almonte, Ontario. Died April 18, 2025, Ottawa, Ontario. Noreen studied drawing and painting at the Ontario college of art but it was something more along the line of sculpting that would capture her attention and career. She began to hone her skills as a puppet builder and puppeteer. In 1979 she formed Noreen Young Productions. While she has been involved in several productions for the younger audiences it was her Under the Umbrella Tree television show that is perhaps the best remembered. It was aired on CBC, Y T V, Canal Famille and the Disney Channel. In 1995 she received the Order of Canada for her achievements in children's television. Her political character puppets have been a constant source of entertainment for Canadian adults. She was married to Bruce Kingsley becoming step-mom to three children. The couple had two children together.  Source; Renowned Canadian puppeteer Noreen Young dead at 85, by Nathan Fung, C B C News, April 20, 2025, Online (accessed 2025)

Born July 31, 1945, Nanaimo, British Columbia. In 1983 Charlotte graduated from University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Secondary Education. She continued French language studies at Laval University, Quebec before teaching science, French and Music at Junior High school in New Westminster Secondary School for ten years. Charlotte loved to sing and performed with local fold groups. She wrote songs and entertained her own children and also developed a preschool music program which resulted in requests for workshops and school concerts around Vancouver and around the province. In 1986 her recording of 10 Carrot Diamond , which would become a Gold Record, won the Canadian Juno Award. She has become a frequent headliner for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. Her popular son Octopus (Slippery Fish) became a book in 2013: Slippery Fish in Hawaii. In 2015 she released with her son Mat, Diamonds by the Sea. Trilingual, English , French and Spanish, she as released recordings in all three languages. Her works have garnered her Parents’ Choice Awards and American Library Association Awards. She tours throughout North America, Costa Rica. She has been awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal and has been named as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. In 2016 she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Born October 1, 1943, Abrams, Prince Edward Island . Died February 25, 2014, Saint-Sauveur, Quebec. When she was 14 she won a television singing contest in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. While studying at the University of Moncton in New Brunswick she  made her professional  debut in Moncton and then Quebec City. She graduated with her Master's degree from Université Laval in 1968. She performed on radio, television and toured Canada. With a sincere love of Acadian folk music as incentive she wrote and sung her own songs in both of Canada’s official languages. She hosted the TVOntario show True North from 1973-1974. Her educational program won a Gold Hugo Award at the Chicago Film Festival in 1974. Her 1st album Première appeared in 1975. The following year she had her only English album.  She earned a Felix-award in 1979 when he album Libre sold more than 200,000 copies. She is perhaps best known for her Acadian Anthem Grand-Pre. She used her music to express her own special brand of humor. She hosted the TV series Angèle in 1980 for Radio-Canada Atlantique, as well as Radiomutuel’s Le Radio-café Provigo from1986 to 88, Radio-Canada’s Mes noëls en Acadie in1988 and Radio-Canada Moncton’s morning show in1989. She was also a correspondent in Charlottetown for Telefilm Canada's PassepArt.  After a brief break she returned to the stage in 1988 and performed in France in 1990. She was an officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of Prince Edward Island. She also received the Order de la Pléiade from the Association of French Speaking Parliamentarians for promotion of the French language and culture. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2015)

Born August 28, 1919, Sainte-Marie-du-Beauce, Quebec. Died September 25, 1997, Montréal, Québec  As a child she loved singing folk songs. As an adult she studied voice and researched folk songs. She recorded 10 albums of her beloved folk music. In 1944 she married André Coté and the couple had three children. From 1959 through 1973 she galvanized Anglophone children to their television sets with her show Chez Hélène. She spoke only French to her English speaking mouse friend, Suzie.  To the children it was endearing, in reality she was bridging tow national cultures. In the 1970’s she became a celebrity Canadian Citizenship judge accepting new immigrants who had succeeded in there quest to gain citizenship to their new country. In 1973 she received the Order of Canada. Source: Herstory: The Canadian Women’s Calendar 2000 (Silver anniversary edition) Coteau Books, 1999. Page 54.

née Franklin. Born June 22, 1922, Riceville, New Brunswick. Died April 29, 1961, Woodstock, New Brunswick. The Franklin family relocated to Woodstock, New Brunswick, where Ada grew up.  She married country singer Ransford Lawrence 'Kidd' Baker (1917-1992) on January 17, 1939. The couple, who had one daughter together, would travel throughout North America performing. She sang along with her husband on their records such as Using my Bible for a Road Map. Source: In Memorium, C K C O History, Online (accessed 2025); Find a grave, Online (accessed 2025)

Born March 4, 1949, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Carroll was performing at the age of four. At 16, Carroll and her family relocated to Toronto. Carroll had her 1st single song hit in 1970.  She dominated the country music scene in the 1970's winning several Juno Awards as Country Female vocalist in 1977, 1978 and 1979. In 1976, she won a Big Country Award for best album of the year, and in 1978 and 1977 she was named top female country singer at the same awards. She produced over 20 albums of her music. In the summer of 1983 she hosted her own television show and was always a welcome guest on the long running Tommy Hunter show. She decided to take partial retirement in the early 1990's. She was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1997 she received a lifetime achievement award from the Nova Scotia Country Music Association. In 2010 she became a Member of the Order of Canada for her singing and songwriting.

Born Merasheen Island, Newfoundland. Her interest in Newfoundland oral history let her to a career as a performer. She had made numerous television and radio appearances and several recordings of songs and stories of the province. She has served as President of the Newfoundland Folk Arts Society of which she has been involved for over 30 years.  In 2011 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for ‘ensuring this priceless cultural legacy’ of son and stories of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has explored, researched, catalogued the lifestyle and culture of Newfoundland. She is considered one of the province’s most prominent traditional singers. In 2015 she won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Folk Fest at Bannerman Park.

Born April 25, 1949, Regina, Saskatchewan. Heather went to university for her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Saskatchewan in 1969. She had studied piano as a child but decided she enjoyed guitar more when she was a teen. She also studied voice in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1976 she began her solo career at the Regina Folk Festival. By the 1980's she was one of Canada's leading performers in both feminist and children's music and was touring throughout North America. She has some five albums of music as well as a recordings of songs for children.

Born January 16, 1961, London, Ontario. To her it seems she has always written and sang. When she was a teen, her brothers sent he son tapes to various country and western groups and she was soon hired as a writer and then she began recording and singing herself. Her first album, Just reach out came out when she was 17 years old. She has toured all over North America doing public and TV appearances. After a tour of Germany in 1980 she has maintained a loyal fan base there.  She received the Best Country Awards for outstanding performance, country female singer in 1979 and best single recording for the Star in 1980. She was the Canadian Country Music Awards best female vocalist of the year in 1983 and 1984. She was nominated annually from 1979 through 1986 for Juno Awards. In 1991 she made a comeback with the hit Lasso your Love recorded in Nashville, U.S.A.

Born July 27, 1942, Paquetville, New Brunswick. Learning music in her home town of Caroquet, New Brunswick, Edith applauds the Acadian culture wherever she entertains. She has a strong singing voice and is a well rounded entertainer combining humor with her own music. Edith was one of the first songsters to promote Acadian culture in Canada and internationally. She was able to launch her career on Radio-Canada in Moncton, New Brunswick. By 1962 she was singing with CBC TV Halifax on Singalong Jubilee. In 1969 she graduated from Laval University, Quebec City. In 1970 she was a featured performer at the Canadian Pavilion at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan.  She won the award of the Académie Charles-Cros, in Paris, France and  she was induced as a Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Pléiade 1978 in France. In 1999 France presented her with the Chevalier de l'Ordre Nationale du Mérite de la République française  She was made a Member of the Order du Mérite de la culture française by the Canadian Senate and was induced  an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1975.  She has recorded some 27 albums of her Acadian music and in 2007 her song, Paquetville, was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. July 2, 2009 she was one of four musicians who had their picture on stamps issued by Canada Post. The following year she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society Of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). In 2012 she was given the Lieutenant-Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts for Performing Arts. and in 2013 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of New Brunswick.

Born September 8, 1959, Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan. Died July 4, 2018, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec. Carmen was a singer and children's entertainer. She loved working with children and chose to be a kindergarten teacher prior to being a folk singer and composer. In the 1970’s she was a member of the folk music band Folle Avoine. She relocated to Quebec and releases several French-language albums.  She, along with her sister-in-law, Connie Kaldor, received a Juno Award at the 1989 in the category Best Children's Album for Lullaby Berceuse. Her use of own compositions and traditional folk songs encouraged young Francophone to discover their heritage, and helped young Anglophones to learn the French language. She would also win four Felix Awards and a Parents' Choice Award in the United States. Along with her brother and sisters and her former band mates she continued to entertain with the folk band Hart-Rouge. In 2003 she returned to her home province to be closer to her family. In 2013, she became a Member of the Order of Canada "for her contributions as a singer, songwriter, and composer enhancing music for young children and using music in French-language education". She had taken some time off from entertaining when she once again taught kindergarten. In 2014 she returned to performing. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2019)

née Carmichael. Born December 18, 1913, Chilliwack, British Columbia. Died December 25, 1977, Chilliwack, British Columbia. Emma enjoyed piano lessons as a child and as a youth too voice in San Francisco, U.S.A., Vancouver, and Halifax. She was introduced to the joy of folk music in 1930 while living on Canada's east coast. Until 1948 she used the professional name of Nina Finn when singing and playing public and radio performances. In the 1940's she worked for the National Film board in Ottawa. After 1948 she took the professional name of Emma Caslor and began her own career as a singer. Her music embraced at first the Celtic roots but soon took on the folk cultures of Canada's full diversity from aboriginal music to Elizabethan songs. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2011)

née Belhumeur. Born August 10, 1942. Louise studied acting at the National Theatre School, Montreal, Quebec but she preferred singing to acting. In 1966 she received the Renee Claude Trophy from Le Matriote and was ‘discovery’ of the year for radio-Canada. In 1968 she was part of an successful revue which also toured France in 1969. She continued to sing and act doing Rock music and then turning folk music. In 1976 she received the Manteau d’Arlequin prize from France for the best presentation of a French language song. In 1984 she was the woman of the year in Quebec in the arts field. In 2013 she received the SOCAN (Society for composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) and was presented with the Order of Canada. (2017)

Born May 9, 1953, Regina, Saskatchewan. Connie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater at the University of Alberta in 1976. She worked performing with various theatre groups until 1979 she she began a full-time music career. In 1981 she founded her own independent record label, Coyote Entertainment. She won her 1st Juno Award with Carmen Campagne in 1989 for the Best Children’s Album, Lullaby. She earned two more awards for Best Children’s Album in 2004 and in 2005. She do-wrote a song for the animated television series based on the comic strip For Better of For Worse which debuted in 2000. She married music producer and Hart-Rouge member Paul Campagne. In 2003 her television show @Wood River Hall debuted on Vision TV. In 2006 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. She continues to write music and to tour.

née Biedermann. Born 1925, Lowbush, Ontario. Died November 12, 2011, Timmins, Ontario. Elizabeth married Henry Arthur Johnson (died 1992) and the couple had two children. She was known as the Godmother of Country Music in Northern Ontario. She created a family of musicians, including passing her love of music to her grandchildren, that are known across the country In 2008 she was inducted into the Northern Ontario Country Music Hall of Fame. In her later years she loved to sing karaoke at J J's Ranch every Friday night.  She was a tireless volunteer entertaining seniors . She is also depicted on the mural at the Seniors Centre, the of 100 Faces of Timmins in 2012. Source; Obituary, Miron-Wilson Funeral Home, November 2011, Online (accessed 2024)

(Kathryn  Dawn) Born November 2, 1961, Consort, Alberta. This country singer has real country roots.  She grew up in Consort, Alberta, which has a population of 700.  In 1981 she became a vegetarian. In 1985 she won her 1st Juno as Most Promising Female Vocalist of the year followed in 1987 with a Juno as Country Female Vocalist of the year.  She has been very outspoken against cattlemen . Her natural joy of country music is evident in the songs she sings. In June 1992 she 'came out' as a lesbian.  In 1995 she was awarded the International Solo Artist Award. This multiple Grammy winner is considered an innovator in her field, she performs from the heart and is an inspiration to all. In 2005 she received the National Art Centre Award and that same year she won her 6th Juno this time for Artist of the year.  In 2008 she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario. In 2011 she was inducted to the Q Hall of Fame Canada in recognition of the work she has done to further equality for all peoples around the world. In 2014 she made her Broadway debut as a 'Special Guest Star' in After Midnight. She has also appeared in movies and numerous television programs over the years.

Born May 28, 1944, Big Pond, Nova Scotia.  Died April 13, 2013, Sydney, Nova Scotia. As a child Rita suffered from shyness and endured surgery for a cleft palate. She loved to sing for her mother who encouraged her to Higher goals. Rita was mother of two children but her marriage did not add to nor survive her budding career. She began writing her own heartfelt songs. An early title, Born a Woman, composed to protest beauty pageants, would become the name of her first album in 1974. She recorded more than 20 albums since 1974, setting sales records, and outselling such icons as Garth Brooks in 1990’s Canada. In the late 1970’s after a slow start to her career, she was invited to sing with the all male miners choir, Men of the Deep. It was a successful and long lasting musical relationship. In 1987 she won the first of her three career Juno awards. She also holds four Canadian Country Music Awards and seven East Coast Music Awards. Her 1990’s C B C TV show, Rita and Friends, garnered her a Gemini Award. As an entrepreneur the family ran Big Pond publications and productions as well as her big Cape Breton tourist attraction Rita’s Tea Room. She holds five honourary degrees from Universities, the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring her contribution to Atlantic Canada Music, and held the Order of Canada, received in 1992, and the Order of Nova Scotia received in 2005. Her autobiography, On a Personal Note, written with Anne Simpson Toronto; Key Porter Books, 1998. Flying on Her Own is a musical play of her life through her songs by Charlie Rhindress, 2008 Source: Rita MacNeil web site (accessed June 2011); Profiles From a Century of Canadian Music by Alex Barris and Ted Barris Toronto; Harper Collins.

Born December 4, 1944, Montreal, Quebec. Along with her sister and singing  partner, Kate McGarrigle (1946-2010) , she began singing in coffee houses in Montreal in the 1960's. Anna studied at the Ecole des Beaux-arts de Montreal from 1964-1968. In 1976 they produced a record album together and won the Melody Maker Best Record of the Year.  Other albums followed including an all French album in 1982 and the duo would win Juno Awards for their works. Anna married journalist Dane Lanken and the couple have two children.  The McGarrigles were named to the Order of Canada in 1994. In 1999 the sisters received the Women of Originality Awards. In 2006 the singers received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).

Born February 6, 1946, Montreal, Quebec. Died January 18, 2010, Montreal, Quebec. Kate was the youngest of three sisters who grew up in St-Sauveur-des-Monts, Quebec. Along with her sister and partner, Anna, she began singing folk music in coffee houses in Montreal in the 1960’s. From 1963 to 1967 she joined Jack Nisserson and Peter Weldon to form the Mountain City Four. Kate studied engineering at McGill University in Montreal  before she began writing songs. In 1976 they produced a record album together which won Best Record of the year from Melody Maker. Kate married Loudon Wainwright lll and the couple had two children, who themselves became acclaimed musicians.  After a brief solo experience in New York, Kate rejoined her sister and more albums followed including a French language collection in 1982. In 1998 the sisters won Juno Awards for two albums. The McGarrigles were named to the Order of Canada in 1994.In 1999 Kate and Anna earned Women of Originality Awards. In 2006 the sisters received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (S O C A N).  In 2008, after diagnoses of cancer, Kate established a Fund at the McGill University Health Centre to raise awareness of the rare cancer called Sarcoma. May 12-13, 2011 a tribute concert was filmed and released in June 2013 as:  Sing Me the Songs: Celebrating the Works of Kate McGarrigle. Source: Kate McGarrigle honoured in Montreal by Nelson Wyatt, Canadian Press, August 8, 2023, online  (accessed 2014)

Queen of Quebec Country Music

Born June 26, 1947, Drummondville, Quebec. Died December 18, 2021, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Renée was the daughter of singers and was introduced to a love of music when she was very young. Renée would earn the title Queen of Quebec Country Music. In the 1960's she had hits such as Liverpool, Je vais à Londres, and Johnny Angel. She maintained her career through the 1970's and 1980's. She toyed with retiring in the 1990's but decided to put out more albums in the 2000's. Her album L'Héritage won her the Félix for Show of the Year Performer in 2009. July 31, 2014 Canada Post issued a commemorative stamp with her likeness on it. She interrupted her 2019 tour, which she was calling her final tour, due to breast cancer but fortunately was in remission in 2020.  In October 2021 she released an album; Contre vents et marées with fellow country singer Paul Darmiche.  She died of pneumonia.. Source: Obituary, online  (accessed 2021)

Born November 30, 1947, Durban, South Africa. In the late 1950's the family immigrated to Canada and settled in Vancouver, British Columbia. While in school she entered and won talent shows. At summer camp she was asked to replace a sick performer  and she knew what she she wanted as a career. She has written an impressive list of songs and two musicals. She was married to Jazz flutist Paul Horn (1930-2014).  In 1975 Ann produced her 1st solo album Baptism. In 1980 she received the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival Grand Prix Award for her TV Ontario Special, Journey to Kairos, a one woman show. In 1981 she earned the West Coast Music Award as Best Female Vocalist and followed this up in 1982 with nominations for the Genie Awards and the Juno Awards. In 1991 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and the following year she was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 1994 she was a featured soloist at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, Victoria, British Columbia. In 2002 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal. In 2012 she received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to Canada. (2019) Ann has co-authored two books In Love With the Mystery and The Awakened Heart. (2019)

Born December 29, 1926, Moncton, New Brunswick. Died July 16, 1977, Rocklyn, Ontario. . Marg began her singing career in a community choir and won a local radio contest. She earned the nickname ‘ the girl from the singing hills. In 1947 she was travelling in her home province she was heard by Orchestra leader Don Messer and was hired as part of the ‘Don Messier and his Islanders'. The program was broadcast by the CBC from Prince Edward Island. She was often performing duets with Charlie Chamberlain. The show appeared on Television in 1956 running until 1969 becoming Don Messer’s Jubilee. In 1960 she was named the most popular female personality on television by C F R N in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1967, as part of the Canadian Centennial show performed live across the country. After the television show was cancelled Marg performed as a night club singer, and a fairs including the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. She was also a guest on several C B C shows such as Juliette and the Tommy Hunter Show. In 1977 she hosted a half-hour variety program called That Maritime Feelin’. She collapsed on stage while performing in Rocklyn, Ontario. In 1985 she was honoured by the New Brunswick Music Hall of Fame. New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame. Source:1985, New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame, Online (accessed 2022)

Born November 14, 1950, Peterborough, Ontario. Died October 9, 1996, Toronto, Ontario. In 1966 Colleen began performing in Ottawa coffeehouses. By 1967 she had won the R P M Gold Leaf Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist. In she joined Bruce Cockburn, David Wiffen, and others in the folk band Three's a Crowd and went on to join the band T C B. In 1970 she performed as a cast member in the Canadian production of Hair. Relocating to Kingston, Ontario in 1971 she formed the band Spriggs and Bringle. By 1974 she was in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A., releasing her first solo album Beginning to Feel Like Home in 1976. In 1977 she won a Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist. In the late 70's and 1980's she toured with Gordon Lightfoot (1938-2023), Tom Waits (1949-    ), and Ry Cooder (1947-    ) and appeared on television on such shows at The Tommy Hunter Show. In 1986 she was again recording with her hit single, I Had It All and her album Basic Facts in 1988. In the early 1990's she appeared in the Toronto Harbourfront concert and was featured on the C B C radio show Morningside.  Forming the Quartette with Ian Tyson (1933-2022), Caitlin Hanford (1954-    ) and Cindy Church (1958-    ). A first group album was released in 1994. After being diagnosed with cancer in 1996 she was forced to retire from performing. She is a member of the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame. Source: Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame online (accessed 2024)

Born February 4, 1976, Edmonton, Alberta. Died May 8, 2023, Calgary, Alberta. Stacie sag with the Edmonton based trio called Hey Romeo. In 2007 they released their first album called Hey Romeo followed in in 2010 with What I am. Hey Romeo was named Top New Talent of the Year in 2008 by the Canadian Country Music Association. She relocated to Calgary in 2009 and three more albums soon followed... Twist of Fate, I got This, and in 2015 Ride with Me. Stacie married Norm Swen in 2013 becoming a step mom to his daughter. Source: Obituary online (accessed 2024).

Born April 25, 1947, Hamilton, Ontario. Died August 16, 2020, Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Carolyn was associated as a backup singer with various Canadian bands from the Toronto area in the 1960's. She was also known to have had personal relationships with various band members.  By the mis 1970's she was working and soon in a relationship with singer Gordon Lightfoot (1938-2013). The relationship was extra marital for Lightfoot and was known to be tumultuous. His hit song, Sundown, is a reflection of this relationship. She moved on to other bands by the mid 1970's.  A heroin user and perhaps a drug dealer just prior to relocating to Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.  she became a full time drug dealer. She became associated with actor John Belushi (1949-1982) and was charged with involuntary manslaughter for administering the drugs that killed him. She spent 15 months in jail.  from December 1986-March 1988. She was deported to Canada where in Toronto she worked as a legal secretary. In Vancouver in 1991, she was arrested for drug procession and fined $2,000.00 and 12 months' probation. Source: Cathy Smith, who admitted to killing John Belushi, was a woman of mystery by Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail, August 26, 2020, Online (accessed 2022)

née Fricker. Born September 19, 1940, Chatam, Ontario.  At age 15 Sylvia knew she would be a folk singer. She moved to Toronto where she met Ian Tyson. The duo became full time singers with their 1st recording in 1961.  They were among the leaders of the 1960’s North American fold music boom. Sylvia wrote songs such as “You Were On My Mind”.  In 1970 they had the their own TV show “Nashville North”. In the 1970’s Sylvia headed out on a solo career. She hosed a CBC Radio show, recorded albums, and formed her own company “Salt Records”. In 1987 she was nominated for the first of seven times for a Juno Award as Country Female Vocalist of the year. In 1992 Ian and Sylvia were incucted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In 1995 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. She has teamed up only three times with Ian to do special performances, preferring to concentrate on her solo efforts. The couple reunited to sing their signature song, Four Strong Winds, for the 50th anniversary of the Mariposa Folk Festival in 2010. In 2011 she published her first novel, Joyner's Dream. In July 2019 she and Ian were individually inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. On November 3, 2023 at the age of 83 she released what she has said is her last album entitled At the End of the Day. (2024)

Born April 12, 1953. Known as Paddy, she and her sister began performing folk music in the late 1960's. She developed a serious interest in English and Celtic traditional music.  She traveled to England to perform and collect fold music.  She is and active member of the Canadian Fold Music Society and has produced albums of this popular and growing form of music. 

née Marr. Born February 3, 1903, Saint John, New Brunswick. Died August 22, 1988, Vancouver British Columbia. Frances studied music and voice in Montreal, Toronto, and New York City, U.S.A. She made her debut in the 1920’s and appeared on C B C radio. In 1926 she married Harry Adaskin (1901-1994) and the couple travelled for two years toured North America and Europe with the Hart House String Quartet. From 1939-1941 she was a recitalist for the Canadian Pacific Railroads Hotels. She was known as a pioneer in supporting Canadian composers. Frances was also a writer, preferring to pen short stories. Her writing were published in Saturday Night Magazine in the 1940's. For her efforts she received the Canadian Music Council Medal for 'outstanding contribution to the life of Music in Canada'.  She would become a teacher of music at the University of Saskatchewan from 1952 through to 1967. April 29, 1977 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. She penned Fran's Scrapbook: A Talking Dream, an autobiographical book of memoirs which remains unpublished. Some of her papers and audio tapes are to be found in the Archives at the University of British Columbia. Source: Frances Marr Adaskin Fonds, U B C online (accessed 2024)

Born December 23, 1891, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died 1945, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Daughter of William J. Boyd, she was a leading contralto soloist and vocal teacher in Winnipeg, having studied in France, Germany, and England. She was a vocal examiner for many years. She was an executive member of the Women’s Musical Club and the Registered Music Teachers’ Association. Sources: Memorable Manitobans Online (accessed December 2011); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2011)

née Homuth. Born February 24, 1895, Wingham, Ontario. Died August 20, 1986, Toronto, Ontario. Marguerite would be her debut as violinist at a church concert when she was a child. In 1915 while a student at the Ontario Ladies College, Whitby, Ontario, she won a gold medal for her singing. In 1918 she graduated from the Toronto Conservatory of Music and sang in Massey Hall, Toronto. July 5, 1919, she married Edward Craigie ((1894-1984) and the couple had one daughter. While traveling with her husband in Spain she gained an enduring enthusiasm for Spanish music. She did research and always enjoyed performing Spanish songs. In the 1940’s she gave public concerts and performed on radio.

Born September 20, 1885, Ottawa, Ontario. Died December 26, 1958, New York, U.S.A. As a child Eva took piano lessons and at 13 she began voice lessons. As a mezzo-soprano she made her Ottawa debut in 1902 as a contralto voice at the Ottawa Basilica participating in a service commemorating the death of Queen Victoria. Sir Wilfrid and Lady Laurier assisted her to leave for Europe in July 1902. She studied at the Paris, France, Conservatoire with an interruption in her studies when she had an operation for nodules on her vocal cords. In 1905-6 she toured the British Isles and Canada with Dame Emma Albani (1847-1930). 1907-08 was spent in study in Italy with her stage debut at Pavia in the role of Michaela in Carmen. She performed with orchestras in Holland and Belgium, including a concert with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1910 she performed with an orchestra at the Royal Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was about this time that she gave up the stage to devote herself to the more intimate art of recital and concert. On a tour of the Orient she married Franz Knoote, who worked as a plantation manager in Java. She toured throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Divorced in 1911 she continued touring. During World War 1 (1914-1918) she returned to America where she made her New York recital in May 1915. On November 1, 1923, in New York, she sang music of Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, and George Gershwin, with none other than Gershwin himself at the piano to accompany her. This performance is considered historically significant as she would continue to help introduce more than 700 new songs in concerts or recitals after this event.  In 1927 for the celebration of Canada’s 60th Anniversary since Confederation she performed in Ottawa. After the 1936 season in New York and Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. she devoted herself to teaching giving master classes, and serving on juries for important competitions. She was a founding member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (A G M A). In 1949, received a citation from the Campion Society of San Francisco in California, U.S.A. for her contribution as an interpreter and teacher. Her library and her personal documents were acquired by the New York Public Library in the U.S.A. Additional documents and photographs are held in the Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa. It is fortunate that recordings as early as 1914 have been preserved and have been featured in retrospectives of Canadian performers. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia< Online, 2010)

Born July 14, 1926, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Died July 2, 2022, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. An operatic soprano, she started performing on C B C radio in the late 1940’s winning Opportunity Knocks Award in 1948. She sang in Gilbet and Sullivan's comic operas with the C B C Light Opera Company. Between 1949 and 1959 she sang with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and was also a soloist in Halifax and Ottawa. By 1954 she had moved to England to become principal soprano soloist in the B B C’s light Music Department for 15 years giving over 1800 radio and TV performances. She represented England at the Venice Music Festival of Light Music in 1957 and then toured Europe with the B B C orchestra. In 1965 she represented Canada at a special liberation anniversary concert in the Netherlands. She would make 12 albums of light classical music and musical comedy before returning to Toronto in 1970. In 1990 she returned to Sault Ste. Marie and was appointed to the faculty of Algoma University College and was a voice teacher at the Algoma Conservatory of Music. In 2009 she was inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

Born May 16, 1934, Montreal, Quebec. Died January 2, 2015, Sainte-Adèle, Québec. Suzanne took classical studied and studied classical singing at the Conservervatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal. In 1959 she became the host of a television show La Poule aux oeufs d'or. In 1960 with a grant from the Canada Council of the arts she spent two years singing in New York City, U.S.A. She loved to cooks  and worked on the Attention c'est chaud on Television for Radio-Canada. From 1970 through 1984 she would publish more than twelve cook books. In 1987 when she co-animated Les Démons du midi with comedian Gilles Latulippe. Their madness and laughter invaded homes around Quebec every day of the week for six years with a total of 1,050 shows. After the death of her husband, Pierre Larin, and being a breast cancer survivor she became active in the cause to find a cure. She was member of the board of the Fondation de L'Hôpital régionale de Saint-Jérôme, and led fundraising campaigns  travelling all across Quebec as a spokesperson for the breast cancer screening program. Source: Suzanne Lapointe est décéedée, Le Devoir Décembre 31, 2014, Online, (accessed 2015)

Born October 27, 1961, Edmundston, New Brunswick. As a youth Suzi learned to play the piano and was a member of a youth choir, Les jeunes chanterus d'Acadie. In 1976 the family relocated to Montreal. From 1979 to 1981 she studied voice an harpsichord at the the Cégep de Saint-Laurent. Suzie likes 17th and 18th music and began singing professionally as a soprano. She would join the Consort of Musicke and would produce two albums with them. In 2000 she founded Le nouvel  Opéra as she also performs and records opera. She was also the founder and first artistic director of the Académie Baroque de Montréal. Her work won the Opus Award from the Conseil Québecois de la musique in 2008. She also recorded two albums of Acadian folk songs. In 2014 she releases an album of old French Christmas songs. In 2014 her album I am in Need of Music won the East Coast Music Award for Best Classical Album. Suzi teaches at the Université of Montréal. She has also been an actress playing the lead female in Lost Song winning the Toronto International Film Festival Award for Best Canadian film in 2008. In 2010 the Quebec Arts Council awarded Suzie a Career Grant. In 2014 she became a Member of the Order of Canada. (2019)

Born June 24, 1911, Truro, Nova Scotia. Died February 13, 1968, Toronto, Ontario. As a child at six, Portia sang in her Baptist church choir. Through the years she became the choir director and assisted with church fundraising by singing on her father's weekly radio show. In 1929 she entered Dalhousie  University, Halifax, with the intention of becoming a teacher. She went on to teach in Africville and Lucasville in Black Nova Scotia. She competed in local singing competitions as a teen and later trained at the Halifax Conservatory of Music in Nova Scotia on a scholarship. Her professional career began its assent in 1941 with an appearance at the Eaton Auditorium in Toronto. In 1944 she became the first Black Canadian woman to appear in the New York Town Hall, where she was touted as the “Canadian Marion Anderson”. She toured in Canada, the U.S.A. , the Caribbean, and Latin America before returning for further studies in Toronto. She would teach at the all girls school of Branksome Hall and eventually open her own studio. She retired in 1952 after having vocal difficulties and a brush with cancer. She was very proud to perform before Queen Elizabeth II in a Command Performance in 1964. Even though she was an extraordinary contralto, her career was hampered by racial prejudice shown against black artists at the time. In 1995 she was named by the Canadian government as a Person of National Historic Significance. In 1999, some 30 years after her death, her family released a private CD First You Dream. Canada Post released a special stamp in her honour as part of it millennium celebration series. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2008)

Born October 10, 1933, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. Died August 8, 2020, Toronto, Ontario. From 1957 through 1966 Salome toured with her sister and brother as the Bay Sisters throughout the North America. The family made their first appearance in Toronto in 1961. On April 7, 1964 she married Howard Berkeley Mathews. Returning to the city in 1966 she chose to live in Toronto and raise her three children. She appeared at night clubs, on radio, and on television singing jazz blues and spirituals. She was a featured entertainer at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. In 1972 she earned an Obe Award for her performance in the New York production, Justine, also called Love Me, Love My Children. In the 1970’s and 1980’s she was well received in numerous musicals in New York, Toronto, and Washington, D.C., U.S.A. In 1978/9 she wrote and starred in Indigo, a Dora Mavor history of the blues. She appeared at several benefits with her daughters, Jacintha, Tuku, and Saidah Talibabh. She performed at Ontario Place, Toronto, and at Expo 86, the World Fair held in British Columbia. She recorded several albums of her music. In 1991 she was presented with a Toronto Arts Award in the Performing Arts Category. In 1995 she did the Salome Bey Christmas Show for national Television. In 1996 she received the Martin Luther King Award for lifetime achievement from the Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal, Quebec. She celebrated on February 22, 2002 with a performance for Canada’s Black History Month. She was inducted as an honourary Member of the Order of Canada in 2005. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia Online (accessed May 2013): Canada's Walk of Fame, Online, (accessed  (2021)

Black Entertainer
Canadian First Lady of Jazz

née Procter. Born November 21, 1919, Edmonton, Alberta. Died March 3, 2024, Surrey, British Columbia. Eleanor's love of music began as a child when she sang hymns, and anthems at the Shiloh Baptist Church, Edmonton. She went on to sing with Joe Macelli's dance band and the Three E's and was heard on C F R N radio. Along with her sister Ruby and two friends she headed for Vancouver where they performed on C B C Radio in the early 1940's. In 1942 she married Richard Collins, a marriage that lasted 70 years. The couple settled in Burnaby, British Columbia and had four children. As the only Black family in the area they survived the experience racism. Eleanor volunteered at school and became involved with the local Gir Guides.  By the mid 1940's she was singing with the Ray Norris jazz quintet on C B C and being broadcast to overseas troops. She removed herself from the music world for awhile after the war but in 1952 she was appearing in the Musical Finian's Rainbow and other productions at the Theatre Under the Stars. In 1954 she began the C B C television program Bamboula: A day in the West Indies appearing in the first interracial cast in Canada and the first variety series produced in Vancouver. June 19 to September 11, 1955, she became the first person of colour, and first jazz singer to headline a show on a national television. She went on to other popular shows of the 1960's and appeared in 1964 in her own television program Eleanor. Her popularity continued in the 1970's where she appeared not only on shows on C B C but also on C T V as well as performing in clubs and in concert. In 1975 she was on Parliament Hill singing to celebrate Canada Day. In the 1980's she appeared on Jazz Canada, and Jazzland radio programs. Eleanor was also a music director of the Unity Church, Vancouver. In 1986 she received the Distinguished Centennial Pioneer Award. In 1992 she was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 1994 she and her family in the video documentary Hymn to Freedom: The History of Blacks in Canada. Among her award she has received th British Columbia Historical Society Award, the Alberta Black Cultural Research Society Award, and in 2006 the Same Payne Award from The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Arts (A C T R A). On her 95th birthday, November 21, 2014, she was appointed to the Order of Canada and that same year she received the Black Canadian Award for Lifetime Achievement. January 2016 she paid tribute at a memorial service for musician Leon Bibb (1922-2015). January 21, 2022 Canada Post Corporation issued a commemorative postage stamp in her honour. Source: The Alberta Women's Memory Project. online (accessed 2022)

Born January 6, 1954, Hamilton, Ontario. She began performing at the age of three in TV commercials. She attended the Sheridan College School of Design, Oakville, Ontario, and took courses at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. She has been a full time musician shine 1980. Jude is one of Canada’s finest vocalists and jazz singers and performers for both adults and children. She has sung back up to artists such as Raffi [Cavoukian born 1948-   ) and Stan Rogers (1949-1983) as well she has released multiple albums and CDs. In 1985 she was the founder and director of the MAD Creative Arts School and has helped over 9,000 children explore their creativity through music, art and drama. She has participated in MAD camp for over 30 years. In 1992 she received the Canada 125 Medal and was named Hamilton’s Woman of the year in Arts. 1993 she was given the Hamilton Arts Award. In 2009 she was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction and in 2011 she received the Hamilton Arts Award for Arts Education.  Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2011)

Born October 26, 1942, New York City, New York, U.S.A. In 1970 Ranee relocated to Montreal. She played drums and jazz saxophone and toured North America in the 1970's. As an actor she appeared in in Lady Day playing the title role as Billie Haliday and won a Dora Mavor Moore Award . She began to appear in a solo career and completed her 1st album in 1984. She wrote and starred in Dark Divas, The Musical, a tribute to the lives and careers of seven of the most popular female jazz singers of the 20th century. She also wrote a children's book, Nana, What did you say?. On television she was the host of The Performers. In 1988 she received the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award. In 2006 Ranee became a Member of the Order of Canada. She has been twice the winner of the International Association of Jazz Educators Award in 2004 and again in 2008. In 2010 she album, Ranee Lee - Lives Upstairs won a Juno Award. (2022)

Born November 4, 1921, Barrie, Ontario. Died February 2, 1996, Toronto, Ontario. Phyllis enjoyed music and as a child learned to play piano.  She and her family relocated to Toronto where she attended Runnymede Seconday School. When just 15 she sang on C R C T Radio in Toronto and went on to sing with Percy Faith (1908-1976) and his orchestra on C B C Radio. By 1938 she was singing at the Silver Slipper nightclub in Toronto.  She would also sing jazz with the Cab Calloway orchestra which toured throughot North America. She appeared regularly on the radio programs called Blues for Friday and Starlight Moods from 1949 through 1952. In 1959 she appeared on The Phyllis Marshal Special on B B C Television. In the mid 1950's she began acting at the Crest Theatre in Toronto. She was a pioneer on early television when she would  appear on C B C and C B S shows. In 1964 she earned a Juno Award for her jazz album That Girl. She married a C B C staff member, Ed McGibbon, and the couple settled in Rosedale area of Toronto. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2014)

née Steel. Born 1936, St. Boniface, Manitoba. Died January 1, 2023, Regina, Saskatchewan. Pat grew up a natural singer and she began her professional career at 16. She married John Krause and the couple lived in Regina in 1958 with their three children. Pat married a second time to piano player Bob Myer (died 2005) whom she met in 1960. The couple would perform together for the next four decades with the Bob Moyer Big Band which always supported and encouraged young musicians. After Bob's death in 2005 she  became active in the Regina arts scene playing the maracas to many a Latin tune. Source: Obituary, online (accessed 2024)

Born November 9, 1921, Montreal, Quebec. Died July 10, 2011, Victoria, British Columbia. A famous soprano singer born in Montreal she was Winner of the Prix de Musique Calixa-Lavallée among many awards. She married Leopold Simoneau (d 2006) and the couple had two daughters. She was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1967 and became a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1995.She founded with her husband the Canada Opera Piccola in Victoria, British Columbia in 1982. In 1997 she became a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. She not only and at the famous Metropolitan Opera, New York City, New York U.S.A. but performed at opera houses across North America and Europe. After retiring from singing, Alarie became active as a teacher, she taught first at the Ecole Vincent d'Indy in Montréal and later at the Banff Centre in Alberta. In 2003 she received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. In 2005 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of fame. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2015)

née Lajeunesse. Born November 1, 1847*, Chambly, Canada East (now Quebec). Died April 3, 1930, Kensington, England.  In 1852 the Lajeunesse family moved to Plattsburgh, New York. U.S.A. where Emma gained musical instruction. On August 24, 1860 she was a soloist in the world premiere of Charles Wugk Sabatier's Cantata in Montréal, to honour the visit of the Prince of Wales. She became a popular singer at her home in Albany New York by 1865. By 1868 she travelled to Paris to continued her musical studies. In Messina Italy she took the name Emma Albani and on March 30, 1870 she made her operatic debut. She rise to stardom was swift and she was soon performing in England as well. By 1874 she was touring the U.S.A. She married Ernest Gye (1838-1925) on August 6, 1878. The couple would have one son. By 1880 she was once again touring in Europe and England. She made her Canadian Operatic debut on February 13, 1883.  Her final season of tours was in 1896. By the 1920's the couple were financial strapped and Dame Emma gave musical lessons to earn an income. She became the 1st Canadian born artist to distinguish herself in the international world of opera and concert singing. In 1937 she was named by the government of Canada as a National Historic Person. In 1991 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame  *her birth date has also been reported 1848 or 1850. Source: D C B, Online (accessed 2009); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2025)

Rosa received her musical training at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Rosa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University, Toronto, and a diploma in Operatic Performance from the University of Toronto (U of T). She also holds a diploma in Contemporary Music Theatre Performance from the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts in Alberta. In addition Rosa holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. With certification in Intermediate/Senior Music and drama and primary education and Montessori F C E training. She has performed with various groups including the Canadian Opera Company and Tapestry Music Theatre in Toronto. While raising her family she has taught voice to adults and youth in Orangeville, Ontario. She has formed her own Community Opera Theatre group called Opera Plus producing several shows. Her shows have supported Theatre Orangeville, the Salvation Army Food Bank, Hillside House/Family Transition Place, and the Orangeville Concert Association. In 1996 she wrote and performed her own one woman play League of Notions about the life of Dr. Minerva Ellen Reid (1872-1957), the first woman in North America to be a Chief of Surgery. She has returned to university to earn her master in Theological Studies at Tyndale University, Toronto, and is involved in the Lay Chaplaincy program at Headwaters Health Care Centre. Source: Orangeville and District Music Festival. Online (accessed February 2014)

née Pendleton. Born 1928, Calais, Maine, U.S.A. Died November 30, 2012, Ottawa, Ontario. She attended Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, and went on to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario. She married Stuart Dillon Baxter in 1959, and settled in 1969 to Kingston, Ontario, and finally settling in 1972 back in Ottawa. The couple had two children. She has a career as a prominent Canadian soprano performing throughout North America. She also performed on C B C. She performed well into her 70’s at various Ottawa churches with the Choral Society and the Cantata Singers of Ottawa. Source: “Rhoda Pendleton Baxter. Powerful gift beyond the norm”. by Tony Lafaro, the Ottawa Citizen, January 20, 2013; Not on find a grave 2024.  Suggestion submitted by June Coxon, Ottawa, Ontario.

Born February 25, 1898, Joliette, Quebec. Died July 16, 1984, Montreal, Quebec. Camille was a regular performer in her home province of Quebec when in 1924 she was invited to study in Paris, France. She completed her training under renowned Canadian sing Pauline Donalda (1882-1970) and Yvette Guyilbert (1865-1944). In 1929 she founded the Théâtre des petits, a children's school of diction. She founded another school for children with language difficulties and two institutions merged to form the Institut Camille-Bernard. In 1973 she appeared in her only major acting role in Kamouraska where she son the Canadian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 1981 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online  (accessed 2025)

née Katz. December 23, 1929, Montreal, Quebec. Died May 2, 2015 Toronto, Ontario.  She began to study with Pauline Donalda (1882-1970) prior to continuing her studies in New York City, U.S.A. In the late 1940's she married William 'Bill' Ornstein and the couple had two children before they separated. In 1953 she made her operatic debut. Clarice made her singing debut at a Sarah Fischer (1896-1975) concert in Montreal in 1956 and made her first operatic debut at the Opéra de Montréal in 1959. She took the stage name Clarice Carson which eventually became her legal name. In 1965-1966 she was part of a national tour with the New York City Opera and the following year she she was the metropolitan Opera National Company for 63 performances in ten roles. In 1970 she appeared in Tosca for C B C TV and appeared in the Vancouver Opera. She appeared across Canada in various productions. In the U.S.A. she would often return to perform in New York as well as with the Pittsburg Opera and around the world. She married a second time to Philon Ktsanes but it was short lived. She retired from singing in 1983 but returned to the stage for a final performance in 1986. She opened a store called Carson-Palmer: Fashion Alternatives in Toronto. She was an active Board member with the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists where she donated her musical scores and personal papers. In 1998 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. In 2013 she became the first Canadian to receive a commemorative plaque at the National Opera Center in New York City, U.S.A. Source: Clarice Carson: Opera singer had powerful voice befitting her personality by Neil Crory, Globe and Mail, May 27, 2015.

Born February 15, 1955, Renfrew, Ontario. She studied near home in Ottawa and then at McGill University in Montreal before heading for in depth voice study in France, Austria, and Italy. She made her European debut on the professional opera stage in 1982 and toured extensively in Europe. She moved back to Canada in 1997. She is in international demand, performing an extensive repertoire of opera, recital and oratorio works covering music from the baroque to 20th century works. She has graced the opera and concert stages of London. Paris, Tokyo, Geneva, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Sao Paulo, Caracas, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles!! Many of her opera and concert performances have been recorded for television broadcast in North America, Europe and Asia.

née Gosman. Born June 28, 1977, Fredericton, Nova Scotia. As a child, Measha sang in her Baptist Church choir. From the age of seven she would study voice and piano. As a teen summer holiday time found her studying on scholarships at the Boston Conservatory in the U.S.A. She obtained a Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto and then off she went to Germany for a five years Masters degree program at the Robert Schumann Hochschuls in Düsseldorf. In 1998 at 20 years of age, she premiered in the title role of a new opera Beatrice Chancy and her career was launched into orbit. In 1999 she married her high school beau who was an exchange student.  Measha and Mark Brugger combined their surnames to form their family name. The couple had two children. She has performed around the globe. She has been across her native Canada, been on CBC TV and earned an Gemini Award nomination. In 1998 she won the Canada Council for the Arts Award. In 2000 she debuted at Carnegie Hall in New York City before moving on to Japan, Switzerland, German, and other U.S.A. destinations. The Grand Prize of Jeunesse Musicales Montreal Internationale Musical Completion was won by Measha. In 2007 she found time between performances to serve as the Goodwill Ambassador for the African Medical and Research Foundation working for better health in Africa. A Juno Award was hers in 2008 for her classical Album of the year. She has taken international awards in London, England, New York City, U.S.A., Oslo, Norway and Munich, Germany just to name a few countries. In June 2009 she was forced to take time off to have open heart surgery. Never one to be kept down she returned to perform again in September 2009 at the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2009 she earned the Grand Prize at the Jeunesses Musicales / Montreal International Musical Competition and won First Prize at the International Vocal Competition's Hertogenbosch. She had a heart condition in June 2009 and took time to heal after open heart surgery. In 2010 she wan a Juno Award for  Classical Album of the Year. In 2015 she appeared in the television documentary series Songs of Freedom,  as she explored her African Heritage. In June 2019 she underwent another successful open heart surgery. In 2018 she and her husband divorced. In 2021 she Married Jazz guitarist Steve Lee. (2018) (2023)

Born May 29, 1929, Montréal, Québec. Died September 27, 2021, Quebec. A talented mezzo-soprano Fernande studied music with Canada's top teachers such as Pauline Donalda (1882-1970) and made her debut with the Opera Guild in 1952. After a dozen major roles in opera she joined a vocal quartet and made a 50 concert tour in France in 1958. In 1960 she was performing on radio and television and was featured at EXPO 67 celebrating Canada's Centennial. She had the reputation as one of Canada's top musical interpreters of her generation. She enjoyed teaching voice privately to select talented students. In 2006 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame.  Source: La Press, Montreal Dec 11, 1963, Online .

Born September 7, 1930, Detroit, Michigan, U. S. A. Died January 6, 2005, Southfield, Michigan, U.S.A. The family owned a restaurant in Windsor, Ontario, where they settled. Emilia attended school and took singing lessons at the Ursuline School of Music. She would continue her music studies at Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. earning her Bachelor of Arts degree. While in her early 20's she earned a $2,000.00 Grinnell music scholarship which took her to New York, City, U.S.A. to study opera. In 1953 she made her operatic debut with the New York City Opera. In 1955 she was singing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and debuted in the Marriage of Figaro in the spring of 1956. Her career would take you on tour which included a stop in Toronto. She relocated to Italy and performed with La Scala in Milan, toured throughout Europe and appeared on several recordings. While in Italy she met a fellow singer, Sergio Pessetti, and the couple married in 1965. The couple had one son and settled in Windsor to raise their child. While she might appear locally to perform she no longer performed abroad although there were requests for her to return to the international stare. She was buried in an unmarked crypt in Windsor, Ontario. A public campaign was able to add a memorial plaque to her grave in 2018. Source: Keeping the memory of Windsor's opera diva Emilia Cundari alive by Sharon Hill. Windsor Star, April 6, 2018, Online (accessed 2019)

Born November 13, 1961, Winnipeg, Manitoba. She enjoyed music as a child and studied music and theatre at the Banff School of Fine Art and after making her opera debut in 1982 transferred to the school's opera program. She launched her career at the San Francisco Opera in California, U.S.A. She had her European debut in 1987 in France and appeared at the Metropolitan Opera of New York City, U.S.A. in 1991. She has made several recordings. Tracy is married and is the mother of two children. She teaches voice at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and conducts workshops throughout North America. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Ruby Baton Award by Opera Canada for her outstanding achievements on stage. In 2010 the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra presented her with a Goden Baton Award. 

Born June 12, 1918, Cluj, Romania. Died July 2, 2009, Montreal, Quebec. Edith studied voice at the Bucharest Royal Academy in Romania. She studied under under Luciano Della Pergola whom she would marry in 1935. In 1939, having earned a scholarship she studied in Florence, Italy, where she made her debut in La Bohème. Between 1942 and 1947 she taught at the Alberto Della Pergola Conservatory in Bucharest. During this time she performed with the Bucharest Opera as the lead soprano. She performed in Vienna, Austria, Zurich, Germany, Naples, Italy, and other European centres over the years.In 1946 she received the Order of Cultural Merit from Rumania. In 1955 she and her husband immigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal where she taught with her husband at McGill University. She retired in 1989 and became professor emeritus at the University. In 1994 she was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2002 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Opera Hall of Fame online (accessed 2024); Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

née Lightstone. Born March 5, 1882, Montreal, Quebec. Died October 22, 1970, Montreal, Quebec. Pauline was educated at the Royal Victoria College, McGill University, Montreal. In 1902 she went to study at the Conservatoire de Paris, France, on a grant from Donald Smith (1820-1914), Lord Strathcona. It was here that she adopted the stage name Donalda in honour of her patron. In 1904 she made her singing debut in Nice, France. In November 1906, returning to Montreal with her husband Paul Seveilhac, she made her North American debut. In December 1906 she began a season with Oscar Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera House in New York City, U.S.A. By 1907 she was once again singing in Europe. She remained in North America during World War l (1914-1918) and in Canada she organized the Donald Sunday Afternoon concerts raising funds for war charities. Returning to Paris, France, in 1917 she married her second husband, Mischa Leon, in 1918. In 1922 she opened a teaching studio in Paris, returning to Montreal only in 1937 to open her studio there. She founded the Montreal Opera Guild in 1942 where she served as president and artistic director until 1969. In 1967 she became an Officer in the Order of Canada. In 1991 she became a member of the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source D C B online

née Martin. Born May 28, 1878, Montreal. Died November 13, 1948, London, England. Louise studied in Paris, France. In 1898 she married James Matthews Buxton but the marriage was short lived and in 1901 she married Cecil Edwards. She debuted in Covent Garden, England July 15, 1908. November 5, 1912 she made her Canadian stage debut with the Montreal Opera.  She went ont to perform at the Boston Opera in Massachusetts, U.S.A. and visited Paris in 1914 with this company.  She would perform in Brussels, Stockholm, Monte Carlo, Chicago, New York prior to World War l (1914-1918). During the war she performed at numerous benefit concerts including a concert tour in Canada. In 1919 she married Major Nicholas Rothesay Stuart Wortley (died 1926). She had two daughters. In 1921 she made a recording but by then she was considered past her prime.  In 1924 she retired from singing. In 1926 she performed in an unsuccessful musical comedy in London, England. She retired to Cannes where she ran an antique ship until the beginning of World War ll in 1939. In 1991 she was one of the inaugural inductees to the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2013)

Born April 22, 1948, Toronto, Ontario. She was educated in singing by her grandmother Jennie Bouck. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and made her operatic debut when she was just 15 years old on CBC television. She also sang with the St George’s Youth Choir and the Festival Singers of Canada. She graduated in music from the University of Toronto. In 1972 she married musician Peter Madgett. In 1973 she won the CBC Talent Festival and the following year won the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions. She performed at the famous Stratford Festival and at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. While she performed internationally in dramatic opera and as a classical singer she is perhaps best known for her comedic theatre.  She developed the character in Primadonna, a satirical one-woman concert in 1982 which earned her an ACTRA Award was a huge success. She performed at Expo ’86 in Vancouver and at the Roy Thomson Hall and even at the federal penitentiary for women in Kingston, Ontario. In 1989 she presented her shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland. In 1990 she did a three month tour of Great Britain. In 1991 she celebrated the bicentennial of Mozart’s death with the character Ms. Mozart, again a one-woman show which was followed by the show Primadonna on a Moose. Several additional tours of Primadonna shows followed. She has taught at York University, the Royal Hamilton College of Music, Queen’s University and the University of Western Ontario.  In 2006 she was a judge on the reality TV series Bathroom Divas: So you want to be an Opera Star? In 2011 she was awarded the Order of Canada for her contributions in making classical music more accessible for Canadians. (2019)

Born February 23, 1896, Paris, France. Died May 3, 1975, Montreal, Quebec. Her family came to Canada when Nini was 12. Her first career was as a telephone operator. She had a three year Strathcona Scholarship to the Royal College of Music but it was not until after World War I (1914-1918) that she would train her soprano singing voice in London, England. Once in England the famous Dame Emma Albani (1847-1930)  took her under her wing. She made her stage debut on November 19, 1918 in Montreal in Carmen. In In May 1825, she proposed and participated in a benefit concert for Dame Emma Albani who was having financial problems. She sang for the Grand Opera Syndicate at Covent Garden, London, England in 1925 and returened to this stage in 1936. November 20, 1925  she made her debut in Paris, France. In Montreal she sang for the Ladies' Morning Musical Club as well as on stage. She was made an honorary member of the Royal College of Music in London. In 1940 she settled to live in Montreal. In 1941 she opened a studio in Montreal helping many young Canadian artists to make their debuts. That year she presented the first of her concert to benefit up and coming artists Canadian musicians. There would be 145 such concerts with the last one held in January 1975. The following year she established the Sara Fischer scholarships in memory of Dame Emma Albani. Her last public appearance was held February 25, 1942. She was an active supporter of the Montreal Symphony Orchestre. In 1991 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame.  Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2024)

Born July 25, 1930, Montreal, Quebec 1930. Died June 16, 2010, Toronto, Ontario. Maureen would drop out of school at 13 to work as a secretary at Bell Telephone to held support her family. She enjoyed singing at church and in radio choirs. After her brother came back from fighting during World War ll (1939-1945) he convinced her to take voice lessons. She sang on C B C ratio and eventually was named firstsrunner up in a radio competition. In 1953 she debuted at the local Y W C A at a recital. An internationally famous soprano, Maureen has sung all over the world in such sites as the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Whenever she was performing a series of songs she would always include a song by a Canadian artist. In 1957 she married Eugene Kash (1912-2014) and the couple had five children. In 1967 she became a Companion of the Order of Canada. In 1979 she received the Loyola Medal from Concordia University, Montreal and the following year she received the Diplôme d'honneur from the Canadian Conference of the Arts. In 1983 she received the Sanford Medal from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A. From 1986 through 1990 Maureen served as Chancellor for Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, and the recital hall was named in her honour. In 1990 she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame followed in 1994 with becoming a member of the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. In 1995 she earned the Governor General's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2000 she earned a star on Canada's Walk of Fame, Toronto. She was inducted an Officer in the National Order of Quebec in 2003 and in 2004 she became a MasterWorks honouree of the Audio Visual Preservation Trust of Canada. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (2018)

Born March 28, 1924, Montreal, Quebec. Died December 25, 2022, Laval, Quebec. In 1944 Claire won the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (C B C) program Singing Stars of Tomorrow. She studied at the Julliard School in New York City, U.S.A. and in 1945 appeared at the Metropolitan Opera. She has appeared regularly on C B C radio and television. In the 1950’s she performed in the television series Folio and in the 1960’s in the series Festival.  In 1972 she received the Calixa Lavallée Award from the Saint-Jean Baptiste Society. She earned the nickname as ‘The Canadian Nightingale.’  In 1990 she was inducted into the Order of Canada and in 1996 she was included into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (2017)

Born January 26, 1885, Wallaceburg, Ontario. Died February 22, 1952, Macon, Missouri, U.S.A.. Ruby studied at first in Toronto at Havergal College, a private girls' school. As a young girls she often sang at gatherings where her member of Parliament introduced her to Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1841-1919). In 1908 she married Ralph K. Trix of Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.. She would leave her husband when she began her singing career. She went to New York City, U.S.A., where she was singing in Rialto Theatre, a cinema, when she was 'discovered'. On December 11, 1918  1918 she had had her operatic stage debut in Brooklyn, New York, and this was followed with an appearance at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City November 22, 1919. She performed at the Metropolitan company for nine seasons. It was about this time that she took the stage name Janine. In the 1920's she was recorded on Columbia and Victor 78 records. March 11, 1926 she performed with an all-Canadian program in Montreal and was also performing Toronto in 1927. In 1928 she appeared with the Opéra de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. Her last performance was with the Toronto Promenade Orchestra in 1930. Sadly in 1933 she had a nervous breakdown. Source: Forgotten Opera Singers online (accessed 2024); Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

Born 1926. Died October 22, 2004, Montreal, Quebec. Yvonne worked with the Conseil des arts du Canada for many years. In 1984 she is named director of programs at Opéra de Montréal. That same year she she founded Atelier lyrique de L'Opéra de Montréal offering professional internships for training and on stage experience for young Canadian artists.  In 2004 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. online (accessed 2024); Visitors, Double Bill: Opera de Montréal, Classictic online (accessed 2024); Obituary online (accessed 2024) . Not on Find a grave 2025

Born June 24, 1849, Lynn, Massauchetts, U.S.A. Died June 7, 1888, London, Ontario. Sallie was the oldest daughter in the family and the main singer and performer in the Holman Opera Company which toured the Easter United States and Canada from the 1850's until the 1880's. In 1867 her father George took over the management of the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Toronto, where the family performed until 1872. The company relocated to Montreal when George took over management of the Theatre Royal. The following year in 1873 George had purchased the Music Hall in London, Ontario, and renamed it the Holman Opera House. The troupe also continued to tour. In 1879 Sallie married James T. Dalton, a fellow performer. The opera company faded out after her death.  Source: D C B, Online  (accessed 2001)

Born July 14, 1926, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Died July 2, 2022, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. An operatic soprano, she started performing on C B C radio in the late 1940’s. In 1954 she moved to England to become principal soprano soloist in the B B C’s Light Music Department for 15 years. She made 12 albums of light classical music and musical comedy before returning to Toronto in 1970. In 1965 she represented Canada at a special liberation anniversary concert in the Netherlands in May 1965. In 1990 she returned to Sault Ste. Marie and was appointed to Algoma University and became a voice teacher at the Algoma Conservatory of Music. In 2009 she was inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2022)

Born July 27, 1878, Beloeil, Quebec. Died January 18, 1921, Montreal, Quebec. In 1881 her family relocated to Montreal. She enjoyed learning music from her mother and the nuns who taught at her convent school. She studied violin and gave her 1st concert on March 5, 1844. She was the 1st recipient of the Strathcona Scholarship to attend the Royal College of Music in England for five years. In 1900 Béatrice was the 1st French Canadian woman to be made a corresponding member of the Royal College of Music. On advice of the famous Canadian opera singer, Mme Emma Albani, Béatrice devoted herself exclusively to singing. She presented a vocal recital in Montreal on October 17, 1902 and began her international career the following year in the Royal Opera House in London, England. She met her future husband, Salvador Issaurel, also an opera singer, while performing in Paris, France in 1905. The couple was married on October 14, 1908 and they settled in Montreal in 1911 where she joined the Montreal Opera Company. The company went bankrupt in 1913 and Béatrice tried singing in the New York City but with the clouds of world war l gathering she returned to Montreal she returned to Montreal. The couple taught in their studios and she gave her last performance in Montreal on November 14, 1919. Salvador continued to teach as their studio in Montreal until his death in 1944. In 1991 she was an inaugural inductee into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source: D C B, Online  (accessed 2024)

Born March 29, 1901, West Calder, Scotland. Died April 28, 1965, Winnipeg, Manitoba.  May emigrated to Canada in 1914 with her parents. A musical child she singing in Winnipeg and in Toronto, she was coached in voice in New York City, U.S.A. May was soloist at various churches in Winnipeg as well as soloist with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Chorus, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the Choristers. She appeared in productions by the Winnipeg Light Opera and was a frequent guest on C B C Radio. She retired from public performance in the late 1940s. She gave private lessons throughout her career and from 1958 through 1965 she taught at the Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Winnipeg. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia Online (accessed February 2014)

Born October 16, 1905*, Shédiac, New Brunswick. Died June 15, 1988, Montreal, Quebec. Anna became one of the most famous Acadian performers. Growing up in a musical family, she enjoyed a musical childhood studying both piano and voice. At age 15, Anna gave her first public performance before an English audience. She then went to Paris and worked with some of the finest instructors of the time developing her talent for opera. In 1930 she sang for a Boston radio station for a year under the name of Louise Malmont. Returning to Canada she sang in stage and radio productions. Anna also composed many songs depicting her Acadian heritage under the pen name of Marie Lebrun. In her later years she opened a music school in Montreal. There are two schools named for her in her home province as well as a street in Dieppe, New Brunswick. In 2001 Telefilm Canada produced a documentary film on her life and works. * Her birth date is sometimes reported as 1902 Source: New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Celebrating Achievers; Behind Every Successful Woman Are All the Women Who Came Before Her., September 2002. Online (accessed January 2016)

Born January 29, 1924, Toronto, Ontario. Died February 17, 1997, Toronto, Ontario. Though Lois suffered from polio as a child it did not stop this opera singer. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music at the University of Toronto. In 1968 she would marry Weldon Kilburn, her early voice coach, and piano accompanist. Her career took her all over the world to sing in the world’s greatest operatic productions and for solo appearances. She also recorded her voice in a wide repertoire of music. She received many acknowledgements for her contributions to Canadian society including the University of Alberta National Award in Music in 1962, the Canada Centennial Medal in 1967, being a companion in the Order of Canada in 1968, and earning the Canadian Music Council Medal in 1972. In 1980 she won the Molson Prize, in 1987 she earned the Toronto Arts Award for Music, and by the next decade in 1993 she received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement. That same year she was inducted into the Order of Ontario. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2015)

Born July 26, 1906, Athens, Ohio, U.S.A. Died January 26, 1999, Toronto, Ontario. Ruby attended Ohio University and the Cincinnati Conservatory, Ohio, U.S.A. graduating in 1930. In 1934 she earned the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation Award that encourages young classical musicians in North America. She also studied at the famous Juilliard School of Music in New York City, U.S.A. making her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1937. In the 1940's she appeared on Broadway and later in Vancouver, British Columbia, at Theatre Under the Stars. She toured North America in opera, operetta, and musical comedy for several years. In 1958 she married a Canadian businessman, Geza Por (died1965) and the couple settled in Toronto, Ontario. In 1960 she founded the magazine Opera Canada which she edited until 1990. In 1968 she co-founded the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus serving as the first president. She hosted various radio programs including Opera Time, Opera in Stereo and Saturday Night at the Opera. In 1976 she published a biography of Edward Johnson a famous Canadian tenor. She also wrote articles for established music magazines and journals.  In 1983 she was presented with the Canadian Music Council Medal. In 1988 she received the Toronto Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. Ruby proved scholarships at Ohio University, Cincinnati Conservatory, the Banff Centre, Alberta, and at the University of Toronto. In 1990 she published the story of Louis, Gino and Lina Quilicos. In 1995 she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1997 she donated her personal papers to the National Library of Canada (Now Library and Archives Canada). In 2002 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame.  Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2019)

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née Brown. Died May 4, 2006. In 1942, on a challenge from a friend, Jean auditioned at the Royal Conservatory of Music.  Immediately she had a career with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Royal Conservatory Opera School of Toronto. She was a founding member of the Canadian Opera Company. Jean Married Ronald Moore and the couple had four children. She ended her music career in the late 1960's. She worked as a microbiological photographer at the Banting Institute and the Ontario Research Foundation. Source Obituary Globe and Mail May 20, 2006.

née Levi. February 17, 1889, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Died February 12, 1962, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.   1962. Raised in Montreal she attended Durham Ladies' College, Durham, Quebec and at a boarding school in Frankfort, Germany. In 1909 she married Abraham Sherwin but became divorced by 1911. Later she would study at the Conservatoire de Paris in France. In 1911-1912 she appeared on stage using the name Olga Pawloska prior to being in New York City, U.S.A. in the 1914-1915 season. In February 1915, she married actor, Arthur Edmund Carewe but by 1921 she was once again a divorcee.  From 1915 until 1934 she was with the Chicago Civic Opera Company in Illinois, U.S.A. In 1921 she was in The Firefly in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. In 1925 she debuted in Canada at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto. She became romantically involved with physician Dr. Maurice Elias Mesirow and once his divorce was final they married on December 29, 1928. In 1991 she was an inaugural inductee into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Opera Hall of Fame: (accessed 2024); Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessed 2024)

Born March 16, 1931, Saint John, New Brunswick. Died September 8, 2006, Cambridge, Ontario. Patricia studied piano in the early 1940's and then voice from 1946 through 1948. She also enjoyed performing in theatricals in Saint John. In 1949 she earned a scholarship to the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and went on to the Royal Conservatory Opera School at the University of Toronto from in 1952 to 1955. In 1950 she performed as a singer and dancer at the Red Barn Theatre at Jackson's Point, Ontario. In 1954 she taught at University Settlement, Toronto and appeared as soloist in opera at the Banff School of Fine Arts, Alberta. Her first important operatic role was Madame Flora in a 1955 Royal Conservatory Opera School production of Menotti's The Medium at Hart House, University of Toronto. That same year she has a role in an Opera Festival Association (now Canadian Opera Company, C O C). As well as her career stage work which took her throughout North America and Europe she was popular with opera fans on CBC-TV throughout the decades. In the 1980's she taught voice at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario and the late 1980's at the University of Toronto. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia online  (accessed 2019).

Born April 3, 1866, Twillingate, Newfoundland. Died April 23, 1935, Twillingate, Newfoundland. Georgina’s father, William, believed that all ten of his children should have a well-rounded education which included music. At 15 Georgina began playing the organ at church as well as playing and singing at local concerts. Leaving home in 1873 she spent two years at the Toronto’s Ladies College before returning home. In 1888 she was in Paris, France, for voice training and began training at Marchesi’s School of Music. In 1890 she was invited to join the Milan Opera Company in Italy. Back in Newfoundland in 1892 she sang at church concerts before returning to Europe for additional studies and appearances at the Paris Grand Opera. In 1896 after an extended visit home and doing local appearances she was at the New Imperial Opera Company of New York, U.S.A. for a year prior to touring in the United States. While making appearances in Italy between 1898 and 1901 Georgina damaged her vocal cords and was prescribed total rest. Unfortunately she never recovered enough to do extensive foreign tours again. She would give a rare concert appearances in Newfoundland but she was hampered by depression and bouts of alcoholism. In 1904 she went to England to recover from her alcoholism. Back in Newfoundland in 1925 she helped organize charity events and rarely performed at some of the conferences. Source: Bert Riggs, Nightingale of the North, The Gazette, November 16, 1998. Suggestion submitted by Nora Phillips.

August 12, 1938, Montreal, Quebec. Died April 21, 2018. Hugette graduated from the Montreal Marguerite-Bourgeoys College. In 1958 she was at the Conservatoire de musique de Québec.  She was a soloist in 1962 in Montreal and made her operatic debut in 1964 again in Montreal. That same year she won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in New York, U.S.A.  and appeard on stage at the Stratford Festival in Ontario. In 1965-1966 she was on tour to 56 cities across North America with the Metropolitan Opera National Company. The following season she appeared with the New York City Opera as Carmen.  In November 1973 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut with the famous Placido Domingo (1941-    ). It was also in 1973 that she appeared in the film Carmen.: the Dream and the Destiny. In 1977 she was the first person to receive Artist of the Year from the Canadian Music Council. In 1978 she appeared on a special Metropolitan Opera special TV show. In Europe she appeared in France, the Netherlands and returned to North America to perform in Vancouver, British Columbia and the Santa Fee Opera in California. In 1997 she was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame and also became a Member of the Order of Canada. Hugette was married to Barry Thompson (died 2009). Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2024).

Born  March 27, 1962, Calgary, Alberta. Her full name is Jann Arden Richards. As a youth she wanted to be a teacher but preferred life as a musician. She would fight off alcoholism at age 26 and use her talents to release her first album in 1993. She has been recognized with 19 Juno Award nomination and received 8 including Songwriter of the Year in 1995 and 2002, and Female Artist of the Year in 1995 and 2001.  In 2006 she received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. November that year she  received the National Achievement Award from the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) for having six singles reach the 100,000 airplay mark on Canadian radio. In November 2007, Arden was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and was the winner of the International Achievement Award at the 2007 Western Canadian Music Awards. December 29, 2017 she became a Member of the Order of Canada not only for her music but also in recognition of her extensive charitable works. She has published her memoirs several times in 2002, 2004, 2011 and 2017.

Born January 27, 1967, Churchill, Manitoba.  Her Inuit name is Uuliniq. She is one of six children. She actually worked as a civil servant at the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in Ottawa for awhile but gave it up to be able to sing. She had produced three albums and two hit singles by 1999. The music video for Searching won best cinematography honors at the 1991 Canadian Music Video Awards. She is a committed family person and does motivational talks to youth advising that "staying in school is cool ." She Received the order of Canada in 2005.

Born July 27, 1942, Paquetville, New Brunswick. Learning music in her home town of Caroquet, New Brunswick, she applauds the Acadian culture wherever she entertains. She has a strong singing voice and is a well rounded entertainer combining humor with her own music.  She has toured Europe and Japan. She won the award of the Académie Charles-Cros, in Paris.  She was made a member of the Order du Mérite de la culture française by the Canadian Senate and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.  She has recorded some 20 albums of Acadian music. 

Born September 8. 1959, Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan. Died July 4, 2018. In the 1970’s Carmen formed a musical group with her brothers and sisters called Folle Avoine and later known as Hart-Rouge. When the group originally broke us Carmen became a teacher but soon yearned to return to music. She began performing for children. She soon earned the nickname Diva des Petits. Her French language works have won the Prix Felix and a Juno Award for best children’s album in 1989. She has performed throughout North America and Europe. In 2014 she was inducted into the Order of Canada for her contribution to French language music  for children. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2018)

née Bélanger. Born July 3, 1939, Montreal, Quebec. Died March 12, 2020, Montreal, Quebec.  As a youth, Renée studied piano at L'Ecole de musique Vincent-d'Indy. She also studied dramatic arts and voice. In 1955, while still just a teen she made her debut on C K V L in Verdun, Quebec. She has performed in the US, France, Belgium, Poland, USSR, and Japan just to name a few countries. In 1963 she produced her first album and each successive year she produced albums two, three, & four. In 1965 she earned the Stéphane Venne et François Dompierre prix de la meilleure chanson de l'année (best song of the year). In 1967 she signed a contract with Columbia records but switched to Barclay in 1969 until 1974. By 1976 she had produced 14 successful albums. In 1980 she made her stage debut in  a production of songs, monologues and poems in homage to her friend Clémence Desrochers. 1986 saw yet another album. In 1990 she was appearing on television and two years later she was back to the stage and doing films.  Source: La chanteuse Renée Claude importee par la covid-19 aa l'age de 80 ans, Radio-Canada, May 12, 2020 Online (accessed 2020)

Born April 12, 1898, Hastings, England. Died May 26, 1993, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Helen arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1919.  She studied music at Wesley College and began a musical career that spanned six decades. In 1920 she married Joseph Dallas and the couple had two children. She performed regularly with various choirs and  on local stages ranging from the Walker Theatre to Rainbow Stage. During the depression of the 1930’s she often sang for causes to help the homeless and unemployed.  In the 1940s she hosted a radio show on C K Y. During world War ll (1939-1945) she regularly performed for troops and continued doing weekly recitals at Deer Lodge Hospital well into her eighties. Later in life she became a green space activist in her Omand’s Creek neighbourhood. Source: Manitoba Lives: Helen Dallas, West End Dumplings, Online Blog of Christian Cassidy (accessed February 2014)

Born 1885, Hull, Quebec. Died June 1940. Rosemonde and her sister Rose-Alba Desjardins (1878-   ) were talented singers who were in demand in the regions to perform at important concerts. Rosemonde studied at the Conservatory of Music at McGill University, Montreal, and under the patronage of Lord and Lady Strathcona she was sent to London, England, to study at the Royal College of Music. Here she would study voice and piano. She would travel and perform in France, Italy, and Germany. Sadly she was killed during a bombardment during World War ll (1939-1945) while she was in France. Source: Bibliothèques et Archives nationales du Québec, Online (accessed (2025)

Born March 30, 1968, Charlemagne, Quebec. Céline is an internationally known recording artist and superstar. She began performing with her family when she was only five years old! Her first song composed when she was 12 caught the eye of manager René Angelil (1942-2016) who financed the recording. Her career advanced with the Gold Medal at the Yamaha World Song Festival in 1982. There was no looking back. She became the first Canadian singer to receive a Gold Record in France. She recorded the sound track for Disney's Beauty and the Beast which would win and Academy Award and a Grammy. Other movie hit songs have been in Sleepless in Seattle and Titanic. She married her manager and has chosen to slow her career to have private time devoted to her family. She is a member of the Order of Canada. In 2023 she made her acting debut in the movie Love Again. (posted 20)

Born September 30, 1944, Montreal, Quebec. Diane studied voice in Paris, France from 1965-1967. In 1987 she was awarded the Felix Award for best pop show. She is the 1st female singer to perform rock songs in French. She show are popular for her music and her eccentric costumes. In 2001 she earned the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award which is Canada’s highest award in the performing arts. In 2002 she was made a Knight in the National Order of Quebec. She was presented with the Felix Hommage for her lifetime achievements in 2006. In 2008 she was presented with the Legion of Honour from France. In 2015 she was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada for advancing the widespread distribution of the music of Quebec at home and abroad. She also enjoys painting and her works of art have been exhibited in Canada and abroad.

Born January 20, 1919, Montreal, Quebec. Died July 29, 2016, Montreal, Quebec. Lucille was encouraged from a young age by her mother to sing. She she first performed she used the name Micheline Lalonde to hide her identity due to the stigmas around being a performer. In 1935, at 16, she made her professional debut on the Sweet Caporal Radio Show. She began hosting radio shows and was hired by Radio Canada to perform or host shows in French. In the spring of 1945 she sang at a War Loan Drive and she was invited to tour in France but she turned down the offer to ma marry Jean Maurice Bailly, a CBC sports commentator. In 1947 she was elected as Miss Radio, the first singer to be thus honoured. She placed first at the Concours de la chanson canadienne in 1957 and second in 1962 at the Chansons sur mesure competition. By 1950 she was known as the Grande Dame de Chanson. In 1965 she hosted the Lucille Dumont television show and recorded her second album. In 1968 she began giving lessons in performance establishing the Atelier de la chanson, a music school. In 2001 she became an Officer in the Ordre nationale du Québec. In 2001 she became an Officer of the Order of Canada  In 2006 she was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and le Prix du patrimoine du Panthéon des auteurs et compositeurs canadiens. Source: Hommage à 56 femmes d'exception qui ont changé le Québec. Editions spéciale 7jours. 2021

Born March 25, 1932, Thornton's Corners, (now Oshawa), Ontario. While still a teenager she sang she sang with dance bands. She also performed on radio in Toronto.  In 1953 she was on the C B C Television shoe The Big Review and after she was picked up to appear on the N B C TV Dave Garroway Show in the U.S.A. This was followed with a three year term with Paul Whiteman's orchestra on A B C radio.  From 1954-1957 she was back in Toronto on  the Canadian General Electric Showtime. In 1954 she married George Murray but the marriage dissolved in 1959. In 1957 she was in Hollywood, California, U.S.A. on the George Gobel Show and appeared many times on the late night Johnny Carson Show and the Merv Griffin Show.  As well she stared in  in the movie The Hangman. In the 1950's she recorded for M G M. She toured Europe performing in Italy, Switzerland and in London, England for the royal family. In the 1960's she was once again in Toronto singing in nightclubs and on television. By the mid 1970's she was working in Florida, New York and Hollywood. She also performed on cruise ships with her then comedian Beni Masselli. Shirley had one son. In 2002 she bought land on Lake Scugog in Ontario to be close to family. In 2016 was inducted to the Oshawa Walk of Fame and is also honoured in the Canadian Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia; CAB Hall of Fame Online (accessed 2024)

née Pesklevits. Born August 19, 1948, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Died April 25, 2022, Surry, British Columbia. Susan and her husband Terry Jacks formed  singing group called “The Poppy Family”. Together they produced several albums of music. In 1969 their career soared with the hit son Which Way You Goin' Billy? which earned four Juno Awards. They began single careers in 1973 and ended their marriage. Susan would go on to have a single performer career in the 1980's. In 1983 she married Ted Dushinski of the Canadian Football League and that same year she relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. releasing her new album Tall Dark Stranger which earned another Juno nomination. She and Ted have one son. After her new music label floundered she concentrated on songwriting rather than singing. She began a management position at a music publishing business and rose to be an executive Vice President of a successful telecommunications firm in Nashville. In 2005 the couple returned to Canada where Ted died of cancer in 2005. In 2010 she was the recipient of a Kidney transplant donated by her brother Billy. June 27 2010 she was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 2011 she performed as a Kidney Foundation of Canada benefit concert. After complications from kidney failure the recovered entertainer returned to performing and recorded a new album in 2018. She died while on the waiting list for a new organ. Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2022)

Born May 23 1920, Trois Riviéres, Quebec. Died October 1, 1998, Montreal, Quebec. Pauline pursued a career in acting in Quebec City. From 1950 through 1961 she was married to actor Jacques Galipeau. The couple had two children. In 1952 she was in Paris, France, where she began singing on French radio and television. In 1961 she recorded her first two albums. In 1969 she represented the C B C at an international song festival in Poland where she placed second. Back in Canada she appeared regularly on stage and worked sporadically in Europe. In 1965 she hosted the C B C television show, Mon pays, mes chansons. She toured the USSR, Cuba, France, Nepal, and Rwanda prior to marring Gérald Goden, a Member of the Quebec legislature and cabinet minister in the Parti Québec. In the decade from 1965-1975 she was featured in six movies. In 1994 she was presented with the Chevalier des arts et des letters from France. In 1997 she was invested as a Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec. The Montreal Centre des arts de la scène Pauline Julien is named in her honour. Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia Online (accessed 2010).

Born September 27, 1984, Belleville, Ontario. At the age of two she showed that she could sing when she began to sing church songs with her mother. In 1998 she won a competition to sing with fellow Canadian Shania Twain on tour. At 16 she signed with Artista Records. She was tagged the Best New Artist in 2002 and 2003 she won 4 Juno Awards and was nominated for 8 Grammy Awards. Her first album Let go, releases June 4, 2002 sold 18 million copies and was 6 x Platinum in the U.S.A. She has at least ½ dozen number 1 songs worldwide. Her music has been described as modern rock, pop punk, pop rock, power pop, alternative rock or pos grunge.  She married Deryck Whibley July 15, 2006 and continued to rise in her career. In December 2007 she ranked #7 in the Forbes Top 20 Earners under 25 years of age, earning 12,000,000.00. Also in December 2007 her third album, The Best Darn Thing had sold 6.1 million copies. Her movie debut came with the DreamWorks animated feature Over The Hedge and she recorded the Theme song or the Sponge Bob Squarepants Movie. She works with various charities on health issues such as AIDS/HIV, UNICEF and is involved with environmental concerns. In 2013 Avril married musician and producer Chad Kroeger but the marriage only lasted two years. In 2014 after a time of tours with numerous visits to doctors Avril was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. In 2015 she was on the cover of People Magazine to tell her story. She managed to slowly recover strength over a couple of years and recorded the single Head Above Water. By 2019 she had earned eight Juno Awards. She his in the Top Ten of BillBoard's Best of the 2000,s. She is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest female solo artist to tope the United Kingdom Chart and she has made history with Girlfriend which became the 1st music video to reach 100 million views on YouTube!  Through her foundation set up in 2010 she has donated to Easter Seals, Global Lyme Alliance, LymeLight Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, Race to Erase MS, Special Olympics, Toronto Sick Kids Hospital and UNICEF. The foundation also supports people with Lyme Disease, serious illness or disabilities through programs and grants funding education. (Avril R suggested that Avril Lavigne be included on this site.) (2019)

née Tremblay. Born February 26, 1928, Montreal, Quebec. Died December 15, 2019, Cowansville, Quebec. Monique was just 13 when she first acted on radio. Monique would go on to become the first great international star from French Canada. Using her natural gifts of music and drama she started her acting career on radio in 1943. In 1950 she was appearing in French language movies. In 1952 Monique married French actor Jean Dalmain (1915-2010) and briefly work in theatre in Paris, France.  In 1965 she won the grand prizes at the international festival of Song in Sopot, Poland and at the Festival de la Chanson at Ostende, Belgium. She would also tour in France, Russia, and North America. She appeared in numerous TV shows in both French and English networks. In the 1980's she began to write and stage one-woman shows where she sang and acted. She was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1967. In 1972 she appeared on stage in Threepenny Opera at the Stratford Festival. She received the 1979 Prix de musique Calixa-Lavallée. In 1988 she was inducted as a Knight in the National Order of Quebec.  In 1997 she earned the Governor General's Performing Arts Award. Source: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia, Online  (accessed 2024)

Born July 10, 1936, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Died April 22, 2015, Toronto, Ontario. Music was part of Lois' system. She learned to play piano at five and she loved singing and dancing. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Michigan, U.S.A. in 1958. In 1966 she moved with her husband Ernest and son to Toronto, Ontario. She brought music to schools children and participated in the program ‘Music For Children', working with public libraries. In 1978 she joined friends Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison to record an album One Elephant, Deux Elephants. It became the fastest selling collection of children’s songs ever produced in Canada. The album launched a thriving career for the trio who have since done 16 albums some of which are gold and platinum. They also made a children’s TV series. Beginning in 1988 she became Canadian Ambassadors for UNICEF and were active in campaigns to end child hunger around the world. Source: Obituary, Toronto Star, April 25, 2015, Online (accessed 2016)

Born 1958, Lubomir Kowalchyk. Montreal, Quebec. She was performing on stage at 13 and recording since she was 15 years old. She studied at Concordia University, Montreal. She formed a band called Luba in 1978, but agencies only wanted her as a solo artist. In 1983 after the death of her father she wrote Every time I See Your Picture and sang it with pure emotion. It has become her signature song. She hold 5 Juno awards as female vocalist of the year, three of which were 1985,1986 and 1987. She has also won 3 Felix Awards, and a Casby. In 1991 she was the featured artist for the half time show at the Grey Cup football game. In 1989 she put her career on hold as she went through a divorce, death of close family members and caring for her ill Sister. As a solo artist she has made 6 albums. In 2000 she made a comeback album From The Bitter To The Sweet. She wrote all 11 songs and c0nsiders this album her most honest. She is nor doubt one of Canada’s most successful artists and yet she has never charted in the U.S.A. She now lives in Anguilla.

née La Fleche. Born January 10, 1927, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died December 5, 2003, Burbank, California, U.S.A. Gisele began showing her musical talent by playing the piano at age two!. As she grew into her music she preferred the violin and she performed her first public appearance at 12. She studied violin at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto as a teenager. During World War ll (1939-1945) she entertained the troops where she met he future husband. After her violin was stolen she began to concentrate on her singing career where she would earn the informal title of Canada's first lady of song. She had her own radio show on C B C and was 'discovered' in the early 1950's and was on her way to Hollywood where she changed her name to Mackenzie. She appeared on numerous top TV variety shows of the day and toured Europe with comedian and violinist Jack Benny. Her song Hard to Get was on the 1955 hit parade for 16 weeks!  She was a regular on Your Hit Parade which she left in 1957 to star in the N B C variety program called The Gisele MacKenzie Show which only lasted a half season. In February 1958 she married her personal manager Robert J. Shuttleworth and the couple had two children. She also recorded for various record labels and in 1959 releases her first of a series of children's albums. Divorced in 1966 she would marry as second time to Robert F. Klein in the spring of 1975. She starred in musicals, TV shows, and the movies well into the 1990's. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and she is a member of the Canadian Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Source: Canadian Encyclopedia, Online (accessed 2012)

Born October 8, 1942, Harrow, Ontario. Died January 8, 2013, Toronto, Ontario. As a youth Shirley sngn in her church choir and at high school dances. She worked in a Bell Telephone office but sang nights at Club Bluenote in Toronto.  In 1964 she had a debut singe called Big Town Boy which became a major hit fin Canada. That year she earned the R P M Gold Leaf Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. In 1967 she married Jim Vedder taking her husband name and becoming Shirley Vedder. The couple had two daughters. She left the music industry after her marriage and became the C E O of a chain of racquetball and sports fitness clubs. Source: Obituary online (accessed 2024; Shirley Matthews Amhurst Freedom Museum online (accessed 2024)

Born April 15, 1922, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Died. April 27, 1984, Vancouver, British Columbia. Lorraine was a singing star of radio and TV in 1950s, headlining C B C Toronto's Holiday Ranch and Vancouver's Burn's Chuckwagon, Some of Those Days and Meet Lorraine. She was also a headline performer for Theatre Under the Stars. Performed in Johnny Holmes' orchestra, as well as singing from 1950-1965 with her bandleader Dal Richards at the Panorama Roof of the Hotel Vancouver. She was inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame. Source: The Vancouver Hall of Fame online (accessed November 2012)

Born February 6, 1946, St-Sauveur-des-Monts, Quebec. Along with her sister and partner, Anna, she began singing in coffee houses in Montreal in the 1960’s.  In 1976 they produced a record album together. After a brief solo experience in New York, Kate rejoined her sister and more albums followed including a French language collection in 1982. The McGarrigles were named to the Order of Canada in 1994.

Born May 14,1944, Saint John, New Brunswick. This singer and actress began her career on radio at age eight. By age 12 she had appeared on TV. After studies at Mount St. Vincent College, Halifax, Nova Scotia,  she appeared on the CBC TV series Sing-along Jubilee, Don Messer's Jubilee, and Music Hop. Her 1st and biggest selling album was entitled Voice of an Angel, was a collection for folk songs. She would also have her own radio show on the CBC called That McKinnon Girl. On stage she excelled in musical productions. March 12, 1969 she married actor and comedian Don Harron becoming step mother to two children. Catherine often appeared with her husband, until they divorced in 2003. Catherine continued to record and make albums until 2007.

Born January 28, 1968, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sarah was adopted by the McLachlan family. At the age of four she was playing the ukulele and she went on to study classical guitar, classical piano and voice at the Maritime Conservatory of Music. At high school she was the lead for a rock band called The October Game.  She was offered a recording contract but her parents insisted she finish high school and complete one year of studies at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design before moving to Vancouver and embarking on a new life as a recording artist As a teen she was a member of a new wave band. In 1994 she was the victim of a stalker who killed himself before a trial. Since releasing TOUCH in 1988 she has explored her own unique musical interests being indifferent to current trends and fads. Her songs convey a passionate honesty rarely found in today’s music. Her song Building a Mystery was included in the 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's. She married Ashwin Sood in 1997 and the couple had two daughters prior to divorce in 2008. in 1998 she received the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Visionary Award for advancing the careers of women in music. Sarah holds both the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada. Sarah is the founder of the Lilith Fair tour which showcased female musicians on an unprecedented scale from 1997 through 1999 resuming again in the summer of 2010. She has performed in numerous TV shows in both Canada and the US. February 12, 2010 she performed her son Ordinary Miracle at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. In 2012 she earned a star on Canada's Walk o Fame, Toronto.  In 2013 she received the Kiwanis International World Service Medal in recognition of the founding of the Sarah McLachlan Scholl of Music in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2015 she earned a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for lifetime Artistic Achievement. In 2019 she was the Host of the Juno Awards and in 2017 she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. She herself has bee nominated for 26 Juno Awards and has won nine Junos. She has also won three Grammy Awards. (2019)

Born January 4, 1959, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Died February 15, 2016, Fremont, California, U.S.A. Denise was abandoned by her mother and abused by her father but she rose from these circumstances as a youth model becoming Miss Niagara Hospitality in 1977 and competing for the Miss Canada title the following year. She headed for New York, U.S.A. to further her career and did several TV commercials. She hooked up with the entertainer PRINCE (1958-2016) who renamed her 'Vanity' and placed her in a singing group of three girls called Vanity 6 (the number of breasts the girls had in total). The girls always performed wearing lingerie. The group had a couple of albums. She also appeared in several B rate movies in the 1980’s through the mid 1990’s. She posed for Playboy magazine in 1995 and again in 1998. She was not only reportedly linked with PRINCE but also Billy Idol and Adam Ant while becoming the sex idle of the 1980’s. She was a drug addict and this life style cased severe health problems. She was married for a year in 1994/1995 to Adam Smith but soon divorced when her health continued to deteriorate. In 1997 she survived a kidney transplant and after a religious re birth she has renounced all connections of her former life and established her own evangelical ministry. In 2010 she wrote and published her autobiography entitled Blame it on Vanity. Source: I M D B, Online (accessed 2023)

née Byles  Born December 25, 1958. When she was just nine years old she began writing her own songs. This rock singer began playing the guitar at age 11. At 19 she changed her name to Myles while appearing in TV commercials.   She was unable to gain the attention of Canadian companies for her music so she released her records through a New York company in the United States  By the time she was in her mid 20's she had produced her debut album. She appeared in guest spots on Canadian television and film productions. She won a Grammy for her first album. An album in 1995 was simply called Alannah. In August 2007 she released a solo album which was a tribute to Elvis on itunes to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death. April 2008 she released her 5th studio album Black Velvet.  August 2013 for her 25th anniversary   her Black Velvet album was retiled 85bpm and repackaged with new images.

née Roberta Joan Anderson. Born November 7, 1943, Fort Macleod, Alberta. Joni began her singing career in small nightclubs in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and then moved east to busking on the streets of Toronto, Ontario. By 1965 she was living in the U.S.A. and began touring and introducing some of her own songs. Her songs were covered by folk singers and she cut her debut album in 1968.  Moving to Southern California her works such as Big Yellow Taxi and Woodstock helped define an era of folk music. Her 1971 album Blue made the list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time produced by Rolling Stone magazine. A pop singer who is famous for her folk songs of the 1960’s with The Circle Game an Both Sides Now. She switched to jazz and in 1969 when her album Clouds won a Grammy Award.  She retired from touring and released her 17th album of original songs in 2007. During her career she earned eight competitive and one honorary Grammy Awards, receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. She became a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1981. and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.  In 1996 she was presented with Canada's highest honour in the performing arts, The Governor General's Performing Arts Award. In 2000 Joni received a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario followed in 2002 she was inducted as a Companion of the Order of Canada. By 2007 she had been inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and in June of that year Canada Post featured her on a postage stamp. In 2008 Rolling Stone once again listed her this time as one of the 100 greatest singers. To celebrate Mitchell's 70th birthday, the 2013 Luminato Festival in Toronto held a set of tribute concerts entitled Joni: A Portrait in Song – A Birthday Happening Live at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario on June 18 and 19 2013. In 2015 she was the recipient of the San Francisco Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award and at the same time Rolling Stone listed her as one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of all time!

Born June 1, 1974, Ottawa, Ontario. Alanis is 12 minutes younger than her twin brother Wade. As a child in Ottawa she liked to sing, dance, and act. The family moved around to follow her parents jobs and from 1977 to 1980 they lived in Lahr, Germany. She took dance lessons at seven, began writing songs at nine, and played in a TV series on Canadian TV in the popular You Can’t Do That on Television. At 11. Her 1st album was titled simply Alanis was released in 1991. She produced the album Jagged Little Pill in 1995 which sold more than 33 million albums internationally, before moving to Brentwood California. Rolling Stone magazine has labeled her Queen of all rock Angst. In 1999 she had the role of God in the comedy film Dogma and the same role in Jay and the Silent Bob Strike Back. For the next while she appeared in productions of Sex in the City and in the play The Vagina Monologues.  In 2003 she appeared in an Off-Broadway production.  In June 2005 on the 10th anniversary of Jagged Little Pill she released Jagged Little Pill Acoustic followed that same year with Greatest Hits Album Alanis Morissette: the Collection. That same year she was a guest on the hit TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation. She continues to play guest roles on various TV shows, stage, and movies. In 2007 her engagement to actor Ryan Reynolds was announced but the couple broke up before a marriage. In 2009, she ran a marathon promoting awareness for the National Eating Disorders Association. In 2018 Jagged Little Pill, a musical played at the American Repertory Theatre. In 2010 she married rapper Mario 'Souleye' Treadway and the couple have a son and a daughter. (2019)

Born June 20, 1945, Springhill, Nova Scotia. Anne has sung her way into the hearts of fans all over the world. She was the 1st Canadian female solo singer to reach number 1 on the music charts in the U.S.A. and the 1st woman to earn a Gold record for her song, Snowbird in 1970.  She is also the 1st  woman and 1st Canadian to win the Album of the Year Award from the Country Music Association Awards in 1984. In 1975 she married music producer Bill Langstroth  (died 2013) and the couple have two children. She has record sales of over $25,000,000. She has won 4 Grammies and 32 Juno Awards. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. and on Canada's Walk of Fame, Toronto, Ontario. All of these things make her the most successful female recording artist in the history of Canadian entertainment.  She has been inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Canadian Broadcast Hall of fame as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame Walkway of Stars, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. Companion of the Order of Canada. In May 2007 Golf for Women magazine named Anne the world's best female celebrity golfer. June 29, 2007 Canada Post issued a Commutative Anne Murray stamp. In 2008 she retired from singing saying that she only sings for her grandchildren now. In 2008 she appeared as a mentor for the TV programme Canadian Idol. In 2009 she published her biography, All of Me. In 2010 she was one of the eight notable Canadians to carry the Olympic Flag as the opening ceremonies and was  inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.  In 2011 Billboard listed Anne as number 10 on their list of the 50 biggest adult contemporary artists. The Anne Murray Centre, Springhill, Nova Scotia which opened July 28, 1989, houses her memorabilia collection. Revenue generated from the Centre is used to provide local employment. She is the Honorary National Chairperson for the Canadian Save the Children Fund.  In 2009 Colon Cancer Canada launched the Anne Murray Charity Gold Classic. She has also been a public supporter for the environment and David Suzuki's Nature Challenge. (2023)

née Raynault. Born April 28, 1946,  Montreal, Quebec. Ginette loved to sing even as a child. This chanteuse puts warmth and passion into her renditions of sentimental ballads that have won her an adoring fan base not only in her home province of Quebec, but from across Canada and abroad. Her first recording appeared in 1961. She has earned several Juno Awards  in 1969 and the 1970's  and was presented with the A D I S Q lifetime achievement award in 1995.  She was invested as an officer of the Order of Canada October 20, 1982. In 2012 the Canada Post Office honoured her with a feature postage stamp.

Born February 3, 1923, Quebec City, Quebec. Died May 28, 2011, Montreal, Quebec. Alice/Alys always knew she could sing and act. ant by the age of seven she was performing on stage at the Capitol Theatre and on the local radio station in Quebec City. By 13 she was being tutored at the Theatre National in Montreal. During World War ll she was the host of a French radio shoe: Tambour Battant. She also toured performing at Canadian military bases and started recording for records. She became know for her Latin titles which she translated into French. While traveling in England she appeared on a regular British Broadcasting television programme. In 1948 she was injured in an auto accident while on her way to Hollywood in California, U.S.A. Depression became a real battle and she suffered a mental breakdown after a failed romance. She recovered in a Quebec City asylum where she was subjected to a lobotomy which was a rare success. She returned to the stage in 1952 but she never regained her former popularity. It was not until the early 1990's that she gained major success with the song Laissez-moi encore chanter (Let me sing again). She became the subject of books, plays, and a television series. In December 2004 a movie Alys Robi: Ma Vie en Cinemascope /Bittersweet Memories was released. She would publish two autobiographies Ma Carriére, ma vie /My Career, my life and Un long cri dans la nuit. Cinq années a l'asile/ A Long cry in the night; five years in the asylum. Source: Canada's History, Online (accessed  2023); Find a Grave, Online (accessed 2023)