Founder/Director  JEANNIE VANWYNSBERGHE PERNAL

Jeannie Vanwynsberghe Pernal has focussed her passions and talent on the development of young male voices, and simultaneously played an influential role in grooming the male youth of her community in their journey into manhood for the last 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from Brandon University, where she specialized in elementary music education and choral conducting. She has her Kodaly certification and a Voice Care Certificate from St. John’s University, ND. Upon graduation from university, she secured a position as Director of Music at the all-boys’ school, St. John’s Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg. Under her direction, the SJR Boy’s Ensemble performed in various locations provincially, nationally and internationally. In 1998 she moved to Vancouver, where she founded and directed the Boys’ Division of the Vancouver Children’s Choir. In October of 2001, Jeannie moved to Grande Prairie with her family, and formed the Grande Prairie Boys’ Voice Training and Choir. She is continuing her studies with her mentor Kim Mattice Wanat of Edmonton. Jeannie is married to Steve Pernal, and together they have three children.

Accompanist/Men of Note  ELAINE LEER

Music and education have been a part of Elaine’s life from the very beginning. The daughter and granddaughter of school teachers, Elaine participated in choirs during the early years of her education. She began piano lessons at age eight and progressed quickly through the Conservatory system. By the time she was in grade nine she had achieved her grade nine Royal Conservatory. By then she was also familiar accompanying church choirs, community members and family carol sessions. She pursued her dedication to music and education by becoming a certified teacher with a specialty in music and most of her teaching in the public school system has involved music on a variety of levels. She completed the performance portion of her grade ten (RCM) and taught music for several years in a public school. Elaine has played as an accompanist for a wide variety of music students, soloists and choirs, including accompanying the Men of Note since 2007.

Accompanist/Senior and Junior choir  MARIE MOREAU

Marie Moreau played piano for the Boys Choir intermittently since 2005.  She has three sons who are all in the choir.  Her mother, Florence Beaulieu and Mrs Janet Crandell helped her complete grade 10 Western Board in High School in Fairview, a very long time ago!  Marie, a physician, is very active in the community, serving on the board of the Boys’ Choir, accompanying at church, and attending numerous fund raising events as a keen supporter!  Her day job keeps her extremely busy, as she is the medical director of the Associate Cross Cancer Clinic in Grande Prairie.