Warren Bain and Matt Bernard are a writing/directing/performing duo from Toronto and are Canada’s premier artists for writing short biographies about themselves. From their humble beginnings to what they’re currently doing, including future projects, their short biographies have it all! They’ve even written short bios for well and lesser known celebrities, who have yet to receive or read them. If you’d like a personalized short biography of your very own, visit bainandbernard.com today! Also, thank you for letting us host again this year! bainandbernard.com
Julian Taylor is a Toronto-based, award-winning singer-songwriter, radio host, and label owner. As the leader of Staggered Crossing, Julian Taylor Band, and his solo work, Julian has established himself as one of Canada’s greatest troubadours. His 2020 LP, The Ridge, earned two Juno Award nominations, along with a pair of Canadian Folk Music Awards for Solo Artist and English Songwriter of the Year, five Native American Music Award nominations, plus a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize. Julian’s new album, Beyond the Reservoir, to be released in October 2022 and preceded by the single “S.E.E.D.S,” builds on the soul-folk sound and autobiographical themes first explored on The Ridge. Julian is known for his versatility as a songwriter, singer, and band leader. He is a self-managed musician who has handled every facet of his own career, including owning his own label, Howling Turtle. Julian exemplifies the DIY ethic and has been a model for other indie artists to follow. juliantaylormusic.ca
Kathryn Rose is a busy artist, music industry veteran and solo mom of two, known for her artful brand of cinematic pop over the course of five solo albums and many single releases. She’s also a top voice in demand, working in voiceover, jingles, TV and film scores, and live with/on the albums of countless artists such as Kinnie Starr, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan (world tour & live concert DVD), Emilie-Claire Barlow, Melanie Doane, Patti Labelle, Sir Tom Jones, Anne Murray, Martin Fry (ABC), Ian Thomas, Susan Aglukark, and a great many more. Kathryn is a feature artist with touring company Jeans ’n Classics, performing with symphonies across North America, while also running many operations of that company. Kathryn’s been involved in many creative musical collaborations over the past few years with Kevin Brett, Chris Bottomley, Keram Malicki-Sanchez, Russell DeCarle, David Wall, AGO, Chris Warren, Creighton Doane, and an original song/video with Julian Taylor. Kathryn is very happy to see Riverdale Share come back after the pandemic hiatus and to be a part of this joyful neighbourhood event once again. kathrynrose.com
Julie Michels possesses a huge voice with amazing control, both in range of volume, expression and wonderful tonal effects which she uses like an instrument.” (Bob Scott, The Examiner). She has performed at jazz clubs throughout Europe, but has recently focused on North American venues including the Toronto Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Merrickville Jazz Festival, Haitian International Jazz Festival, as well as stages throughout Canada and the United States. In 2017, she performed in Egypt at the Jazz Tales Festival in Cairo, and in 2018 in Alexandria with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. Her next CD is set to be recorded in New York, a re-interpretation of the songs of Lyle Lovett. juliemichels.com
Mia Sheard
Mia Sheard is a Riverdale-based singer and psychotherapist. She performs with Classic Albums Live, has hosted a Joni Mitchell tribute at Hugh’s Room for the past 10 years (pre-pandemic), and has released four albums of her own material. She is thrilled to be part of Riverdale Share again this year.
Riverdale residents all, they are purveyors of original soulful folkrock music with lush harmonies and heavy bass. Jen Schaffer is the lead singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist. Simon Law is the band’s drummer, keyboardist, background vocalist and producer; Astrid Foster is on bass and sweet background harmonies; John Teshima plays guitar, both electric and acoustic, keyboards and adds background harmonies; Jonathan Marks contributes violin, viola and mandolin as well as background harmonies. jenschaffer.ca
Oskar, Eero & Rosie Daniel-Raum
Suzy Wilde is an award-winning musical theatre composer, songwriter, arranger, and performer. She grew up singing funny songs with her mom, Nancy White, and has since performed with many local bands including Flashlight Radio, Stonefox, Dirty Dishes, and Wannabe, A Spice Girls Tribute ( in her spot-on portrayal of “Posh Spice”). suzywilde.com
Juno nominees and winners of the Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala write and sing in harmony best described as angelic. They have released six albums and toured extensively across North America, opening for artists such as Tom Cochrane, Chantal Kreviazuk and Stuart McLean of the CBC’s Vinyl Café. “Dala seem bound for a loftier place where substance stands equal to style.” The Irish Times dalagirls.com
Tim Bovaconti & Patrick Allcock
Tim is a multi-instrumentalist performer, producer, and musical director with Toronto studio Tim’s Garage. He has been a fixture on the Canadian music scene for years, having backed up artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Kim Stockwood, Leonard Cohen, Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies), Ray Davies, Rodriguez, and many more. This past summer Tim toured with Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings. He has a new album of his own coming out before the end of the year titled, “Again” @timbovaconti @timsgaragerecording
Patrick is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who has been playing and recording music since the 1980s. Over the years he’s contributed to a number of compilation and tribute albums and has written an original score for an award-winning documentary. Currently, Patrick can be seen and heard on Toronto stages with the Tim Bovaconti Band and is also planning a special showcase performance of songs from his most recent release, ‘Where I Used To Be’.
Composed of bright young dance and circus students, this youth company provides an opportunity for dance students to work with professional choreographers, grow their own creative voice and perform in the community. Artists’ Play School of Dance and Circus Arts focuses on proper dance technique and the fostering of creativity. artistsplay.com
The Bain and Bernard Players are a rotating crew full of whimsy and fun. Today you might have the pleasure of seeing Katie, Mike, Rylan, Andrew, Lindsay, and/or Pickering’s own Jeremy Lapalme! And introducing our newest member Edith, who made her Riverdale Share stage debut in 2018. Even though she is a baby, she gets paid the most thanks to Bain and Bernard’s reverse seniority program. This is a favourite gig of the Bain and Bernard Players and they look forward to it yearly. bainandbernard.com
Mika Haensel
Mika is a Grade 10 student at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. He has performed in several musicals including, Secret Garden, Newsies, Matilda, Musicman, Urinetown, SpongeBob, Legally Blonde, and is currently in rehearsal for a production of Freaky Friday, with Mainstage Theatre Company. He is thrilled to be performing alongside such amazing artists to support local charities in our community.
Sproai
In case you are wondering, it’s pronounced “Spree”. Spraoi is a collection of musicians who create a unique blend of traditional Irish/Canadian and European sounds. The band is brought together through the sessions at Noonan’s Irish Pub on a Thursday night. Their alter ego the “Cabbagetown Ceili Band”play wedding ceilis and dances. Spraoi continues to bring the best of the Irish tradition to Canadian audiences.
Bowmore School Choir
Santa Claus and the Elves
In 29 years, Santa hasn’t missed a Riverdale Share Concert and we’ve already confirmed that he will be here again this year! He claims it’s his very favourite event and he always makes time to drop into the Big Carrot,to stock up on organic food he can’t find at the North Pole, Canadian Tire, to grab some wax for the runners of his sleigh, and Cinespace to make sure they are working on new Christmas movies! Its not too late to send him a note at Dear Santa.
The Riverdale Share Band
Tom Leighton - Musical Arranger, Piano
Tom is back once again with the goal of keeping this amazing house band busy by providing new arrangements for each act. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful creative team, not to mention the fantastically high calibre of each of the musicians involved” Tom says. He performs with long time recording partner Mark Haines as well as Anne Lederman, Marie Lynn Hammond and with his multi-talented partner Conrad Kipping. Tom has a solo CD of orchestrated instrumentals titled Leighton Tendencies and a new instrumental collection titled “Leighton LIFE” . tomleighton.ca
Steve Briggs - Musical Director, Band Leader, Guitar
Steve has played in the Riverdale Share band for many years and joined the artistic team in 2004. He is an accomplished freelance guitar player and founding member of the western swing band the Bebop Cowboys Swing-a-Billy Orchestra. As a music instructor, he is the Director of Kitchen Music Studios in Riverdale with his partner Kristin, in addition to teaching at Seneca@York. He has been featured as “Best Guitar Instructor” in Toronto Life Magazine and has released two instructional CDs. kitchenmusicstudios.com
Rhythm Section
Russ Boswell - Bass
Russ Boswell has toured extensively with David Wilcox, Corey Hart, Colm Wilkinson, Seals and Crofts, Ian Thomas, Marc Jordan, The Parachute Club, Holly Cole and many more. He can be heard on numerous recordings including: Serena Ryder, David Wilcox, Corey Hart, Charlie Major, The Rankin Family, Russell deCarle, Harry Manx, Colm Wilkinson to name a few. Theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hair!, Rent, Hairspray, Dirty Dancing, Rock of Ages and Kinky Boots. Russ is a fixture of the Riverdale Share Concert, having missed only two shows in its full 26-year history. russboswell.com
Patrick Hornsby - Piano
Patrick lives in Riverdale with his wife Karen and son Dexter. He works as a teacher for the TDSB and teaches private piano lessons at his home. He has performed at the Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax jazz festivals and has recorded for CBC Maritimes. Today he is also replaces Steve Briggs as bandleader while Steve tours with Quartet.
Bruce Moffett - Drums
Bruce is the one constant in all the years of The Share House Band. At the time of the first Share concert Bruce was a full time member of award winning country band Prairie Oyster, as well as playing with Mary Margaret O’Hara, Corey Hart, Tom Cochrane, Allana Myles and many more. Bruce now also spends his time running Cherry Jam Rehearsal Studios and PRB his company that provides rental equipment to musicians. cherryjamrehersal.com
Horns
John McLeod - Trumpet
John MacLeod has led a distinguished career spanning 40 years on the Canadian music scene. His first major national and international exposure was as a soloist with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, beginning in 1983. His playing can be heard on many Boss Brass albums including 2 Grammy Award winners. As a composer and arranger he has scored music for everything from string quartets up to full symphonic orchestra. His big band arrangements can be found in the repertoires of professional and student groups all over Canada, the U.S.A. Europe and Asia. He has also completed several orchestral projects which he has conducted at Roy Thompson Hall and the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. John’s big band The Rex Hotel Orchestra has recorded 3 CDs; their debut album OUR FIRST SET was awarded a Juno for the best jazz album of year 2011. John is also active as an educator, teaching at both U of T, and Humber College.
Sean O'Connor - Saxophone
Recognized Canadian saxophonist Sean O’Connor has been sharing the stages in Toronto for some 30 years. A graduate from both York University and Humber College in jazz performance, he currently performs and teaches in the Toronto area and divides his time between Canada and Europe, working with various artists in France. As a freelancer, he has worked with such artists as: Cecil Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Sam Rivers, Don Bryon, Joe Lovano, Pat La Barbera, Ray Anderson, Trey Anastasio, Ron Sexsmith, Phil Nimmons, Molly Johnson, The Drifters.
Gord Myers - Trombone
Gord has made his living as a freelance trombonist and teacher since 1975. He has worked in numerous theatre orchestras including such productions as Crazy For You, Ragtime, The Lion King, The Producers and Dirty Dancing as well as R&B bands, recording sessions and Jazz Festival stages. He has also enjoyed stints with the Charlottetown and Shaw Festival orchestras. Gord teaches at York University and has enjoyed being a member of the Riverdale Share horn section for many years.
Strings
Anne Lederman - Violin
Fiddle/singer/composer/storyteller/multi-instrumentalist, Anne has done ground-breaking musical work over 40 years, reviving Canadian traditions (including Manitoba Métis music) and creating new ones. A founding member of Muddy York (Canadian Trad), The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, Fiddlesong (original), Eh?! (fiddle-based) and Kalimbas-at-Work (Cameroon-Canadian), she has five CDs under her own name and over 50 with other artists/ensembles.
Erika Raum - Violin
Erika Raum is a three time Grammy Award nominated chamber musician, and winner of the Joseph Szigeti International Violin Competition in Budapest. She has performed concertos with orchestras across the country and abroad, including the Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary and National Arts Centre symphony orchestras. She is on faculty at the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory as well as the University of Toronto. She lives in Riverdale with composer Omar Daniel, and their children, Rosie, and triplets Roxanne, Oskar, and Eero.
Grace Wride - Violin Abigail Macy - Violin
