C.D. Saint grew up in Edmonton and completed his BA in Music and Canadian Studies at the University of Alberta and then followed that up with a post-graduate diploma in music pedagogy at the Kodàly Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary. He spent a summer studying in the Opera as Theatre program at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. After a decade on the West Coast, C.D. moved to the Yukon.
C.D. has performed as a chorister and soloist with a number of choirs, including musica intima, the Canadian Chamber Choir, Stellaria Voices, Vancouver Cantata Singers. He originated the role of Ronnie in Edward Top/Tom Cone’s chamber opera Love Thy Neighbour and has performed other roles in Handle’s Acis and Galatea, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Flyod’s Susannah, and Mozart’s Magic Flute. He was also featured in a Hungarian televised performance of Monteverdi works. C.D. has been a section lead and chorus member for several other operas and oratorios.
C.D. is very excited to have the opportunity to direct and work with the talented artists in the Whitehorse Chamber Choir!
Lorène Charmetant comes from a musical culture where all genres coexist, be it classical, pop, jazz, electronic, or traditional music from around the world. This rich scope of musical diversity has piqued her curious nature, motivated her exploration of sound in its widest sense, and is reflected in her musical works.
After combining studies in jazz music at the Conservatoire de Lyon and in administration, Lorène worked as an administrative support for stage performing artists, in France.
With the desire to get back to her own practice, she headed to the Université de Sherbrooke (QC) and obtained a certificate in jazz vocal interpretation and performance. From there, her path lead her to the Yukon in 2017 where she since has been collaborating with different artists on a broad variety of projects. In 2020, having at heart to pass on her knowledge and experience of music, she started her school In tune with Lorène, through which she teaches voice, piano and arranges songs for the growing choir she has been conducting.
As pianist and organist, Barry has led choirs and congregations in London, Ontario and in Whitehorse at Trinity Lutheran and Whitehorse United churches. He has taught music and band classes in Alberta schools, at all levels, and in Whitehorse at Grey Mountain Primary School.
He has been accompanist for the Whitehorse Community Choir since 1996.
Barry has been a piano technician since 2001, tuning and repairing pianos throughout the Yukon. Barry teaches piano privately and lives with his wife Wendy.
Cheryl Wishart was born in Nanaimo, BC. She first started learning the piano when she was 6 years old with her piano teacher mother. For five years, she played the clarinet with her high school band. In 1990, she moved to Whitehorse; it was while studying with Joyce and Henry Klassen that she received her ARCT with the Toronto Royal Conservatory.
Besides working as an accompanist with the Persephones since 2006, Cheryl teaches private piano lessons and is actively involved with the Yukon Registered Music Teachers Association. You can also catch Cheryl’s sought after talent as she performs here and there in various piano ensembles.
Cheryl lives on a large property down the South Klondike Highway with her dog, two horses and a donkey.