Warren and Matt are the two halves of the Toronto writing/directing/performing duo Bain and Bernard. They 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!
Michael Brennan
Cape Breton born and raised, Michael Brennan is considered the voice of REAL country music in Toronto. Possessing a deep, rich voice that’s been compared to Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison, Brennan writes honest, working man songs full of characters who’ve loved and lost more often than they’ve won. A Music Nova Scotia Award nominee, two of Brennan’s albums have been named as one of the top 10 albums of the year by Country Music News. He has toured from Ontario to the Maritimes with his bandmate and Riverdale neighbour Steve Briggs. His Sunday matinee at the Artful Dodger with Steve, John Adames and John Switzer has been running for 25 years, one of the longest running matinees in Toronto.
Cindy Church is celebrated for her hauntingly beautiful voice and versatility across roots, country and jazz. A gifted singer and songwriter, she has released four solo albums and earned Juno and Canadian Country Music Association award nominations.
She is a longtime member of Quartette, with Sylvia Tyson, Caitlin Hanford, the late Colleen Peterson and Gwen Swick, known for its rich harmonies, and Lunch at Allen’s, alongside Murray McLauchlan, Ian Thomas and Marc Jordan. She has also toured with The Nearness of You, a tribute to Hoagy Carmichael, with Joe Sealy and George Koller.
Fergus Hambleton is a Toronto singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist who has enjoyed a career spanning more than 50 years across folk, pop, reggae and jazz. He first gained attention in the 1960s with A Passing Fancy before establishing a longstanding musical partnership with Jamaican musician Jo Jo Bennett as a founding member of the award-winning reggae band The Sattalites, recipients of two Juno Awards. Fergus has released numerous solo albums, including his latest, A Better Tomorrow, a reggae/ska collaboration with legendary Jamaican toaster Lord Sassafras. The Sattalites continue to delight audiences with live shows and new music.
Hermina George – Miss Isidore1989 – originates from the Commonwealth of Dominic. She came to Canada in 1990 to perform with the Dominica Swing-Stars and followed by the Midnight Groovers. Hermina studied vocal performance at the New Conservatory of Music, earning awards in 1999 and 2000 and 2001. Throughout her career, she has performed with several bands, including Shandu, eRatic and Levitasyon. She was the lead vocalist of Dream Band and Circle 5. Hermina has toured with Circle5, Lazo and the Radicals, and The Sattalites. With eight CDs released and her ninth album in progress, she continues to share her passion for music.
Quisha Wint is a highly sought-after versatile vocalist from Ontario whose musical style is rooted in her Jamaican-Canadian upbringing. Growing up surrounded by reggae, Motown, gospel and R&B, she developed a deep passion for music that led her to Humber College’s jazz program in the 1990s. Shortly thereafter, Quisha began performing internationally, sharing the stage with some of Canada’s leading musical talents.
Rebecca Campbell
Rebecca Campbell is a Toronto-based singer, musician, songwriter, choral arranger, live event producer, arts worker and activist. A versatile performer, she plays guitar, percussion, harmonica and melodica, but singing is at the heart of everything she does. Equally at home as a lead vocalist or backing singer, Rebecca is an interpreter and collaborator whose work spans multiple genres, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Originally from Ottawa, Rebecca has called Toronto home since 1996. Over four decades, she has performed alongside countless artists and ensembles on stages large and small across Canada, the US and around the world. Her voice has been featured on screens big and small, her choral arrangements have been performed by choirs worldwide, and she has contributed her vocals to more than 140 recordings.
Mia Sheard & John Sheard
Siblings Mia and John Sheard bring a wealth of musical talent and experience to the stage. Riverdale-based singer and psychotherapist Mia has released four albums of original material and has spent the past decade touring with Classic Albums Live. Toronto-based pianist, producer and composer John has worked with an impressive array of artists, including Art Garfunkel, Rita MacNeil, Ian Tyson, Dan Hill, Rita Coolidge, Olivia Newton-John, Mary-Margaret O’Hara, Celine Dion, Willie P. Bennett, David Wilcox, The Guess Who, Buster Poindexter and Rough Trade, among many others. He also served as music director for Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe touring show from 1997 to 2015.
They are delighted to be sharing the stage once again at this year’s Riverdale Share Concert.
Rescuedog
Oskar and Eero Daniel-Raum have been regular participants at the magnificent Riverdale Share Concert. This year they are appearing as Rescuedog, a band that they formed a year ago with bassist Sofia Schepis. All three members are active in community music-making in the GTA. Appearances include the Frankland BooBash, Toronto BluesFest, The Horseshoe Tavern, the Rivoli, and many street parties over the years. Regular appearances at the Artful Dodger Pub under the mentorship of the one and only Steve Briggs from Kitchen Music Studios has been formative to their love of music.
Dala is the Toronto-based, Juno-nominated duo Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther. With incomparable vocal harmonies, emotionally resonant songwriting, and deeply engaging live shows, Dala have made a signature name for themselves as a beloved fixture of the Canadian Folk scene. Now, with their new album The Big Bang, Dala are stepping into the moment reconnected, reenergized, and more rooted in harmony than ever before. It’s been a long road from the High School music room where they first met, but the message of Dala’s new album is clear: They’re just getting started.
Hailing from the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre (a City of Toronto Agency fostering community since 1972), the Eastview Children’s Folk Dance Group uses the universal language of dance to celebrate cultural diversity, foster belonging, and bring the community together. Welcoming children and youth aged 6 to 18, the group provides a supportive and collaborative environment where participants develop confidence, express their creativity, and share multicultural dance traditions. Many dancers begin their journey at a young age and continue to grow with the group into their teenage years, demonstrating their dedication, passion, and strong sense of community. Today, they proudly showcase not only their hard work and rhythm, but also the vibrant cultural spirit and lasting connections they have built together.
Trombone Charlotte
Charlotte McAfee-Brunner is an award-winning, multi-instrumentalist, who moves effortlessly between trombone, guitar, and vocals. Her distinctive musical style blends traditional New Orleans jazz, 1930s and ’40s swing, blues, and folk-rock. A force in the city’s jazz scene since 2016, honing her craft at places like the Rex and Castro’s Lounge, Charlotte has led high-energy ensembles across Canada’s top stages — Toronto Jazz Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Port Hope, Mont Tremblant, and a knockout appearance at Massey Hall’s Women’s Blues Revue where she belted out originals that brought the house down. She has also performed at renowned New Orleans venues such as The Spotted Cat, Fritzel’s Jazz Pub, and Preservation Hall. She is known for her powerful, expressive singing, compelling trombone solos, and energetic stage presence. Blending musical tradition with her own creative flair, she delivers performances that are soulful, spirited, and full of personality.
Regan Harney
Regan is a passionate advocate for the arts and a leader in music education, partnerships, and philanthropy. As Executive Director at MusiCounts, Regan leads initiatives that increase access to music education for young people nationwide. At her core, Regan is a connector—someone who helps others feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. Whether collaborating with artists, community organizations, or corporate partners, she is driven by the belief that access to music can change lives and strengthen communities. She is particularly inspired by the evolving Canadian music industry and the growing sense of equity, innovation, and collective responsibility shaping its future. Regan was named one of the 2025 Billboard Canada’s 40 under 40.
Described by The Examiner as possessing “a huge voice with amazing control,” Julie Michels has performed at jazz clubs and festivals across Europe and North America, including the Toronto, Ottawa and Haitian International Jazz Festivals, as well as in Egypt with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
She has toured and recorded with an outstanding roster of artists, including Kahil El’Zabar, Joe Sealy, George Koller, Larnell Lewis, Robie Botos, Adrean Farrugia and the late Archie Alleyne. Her current projects include the Braden/Michels Jazz Project, with saxophonist Don Braden and pianist David Restivo, and Broadsway, alongside Heather Bambrick, Diane Leah and Kylie Martin.
Her diverse collaborations span jazz, world music, dance and Celtic traditions. In 2012, she was featured in Amazing Voice, a Japanese national television documentary exploring the diversity of Canadian music.
Withrow Avenue Junior Public School - Junior Choir
With a rich history of choral excellence, the Withrow Ave. J.P.S Junior Choir has returned. Our wonderful singers are thrilled to share the joy of singing and the beauty of choral music. The choir represented their school with confidence and pride at a 2025 Toronto Marlies hockey game, singing ‘O Canada’ for thousands of fans. They continue the important tradition of singing a heartfelt arrangement of ‘In Flanders Fields’ on Remembrance Day every year. Our excellent young singers look forward to many more exciting performance experiences to come.
Litt Dance & Music was founded in 2020 by multidisciplinary artist Christina Litt Belch to create interactive shows and workshops that explore the symbiotic connection between music and dance. As a choreographer, contemporary dance artist, and composer, Christina aims to merge these art forms to explore storytelling through movement and sound. Her work investigates the use of comedy to explore emotional stories with levity, and has been presented at the Sherbrooke Contemporary Dance Festival, Hamilton Fringe Festival, Frog in Hand Seasonal Activities, and Silt: Freshwater. She is also the creator of QUACK FEST, which piloted this past summer as part of East End Arts’ ArtLabs 2026 program.
Collaborators for the Riverdale Share 2026 Concert include Christina Litt Belch, Alison Viegas, Harper Drzymala-Bokitch, Nidhi Baadkar and Andra Radu.
rSuzy Wilde is a composer, lyricist, music director, live musician, and Posh Spice impersonator (depending on the day). Her musical After the Rain (co-written by Rose Napoli/co-produced by MSC and Tarragon Theatre) premiered is 2025, and played to the NAC in 2026.
Her musical Predictable Holiday Rom-Com: The Musical ( co-written by George Reinblatt) premiered last year at Second City and coming to the Terminal Theatre on Queens Quay this coming December. It’s a campy stage parody spoofing every Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix Christmas movie. The Show features Tess Barao, Tenaj Williams, A. Fraatz, Barbara Johnston, Nikki Brianne Samonte, Jonathan Shaboo and Kenton Blythe.
Santa Claus and the Elves
In 33 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 Carro,to stock up on organic food he can’t find at the North Pole, Treasure Island Toys for any missing items, 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 is proud to once again bring his arranging skills to the Riverdale Share Band, creating 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.” A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Tom performs regularly at the Black Swan on the Danforth and the Waring House in Picton. Recent stage credits include the Capital Theatre’s Port Hope production of Come from Away and an Acadian Music Festival in France with Jeannette Arsenault.
Tom has released three instrumental CDs: Better Leighton than Never, Leighton Tendencies and Leighton Life, which Whole Note Magazine praised for featuring “the writing skills and musical dexterity of this wonderful musician.”
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.
Rhythm Section
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.
Rob Gusevs - Piano
Rob Gusevs has had the opportunity to play keyboards in a variety of musical settings over the course of the last 5 decades including live work, studio recording and theatre work. Having spent time on the road and recorded with artists as diverse as Kelly Jay (remember Crowbar),Shawne Jackson, Domenic Troiano, BB Gabor, The Arrows, Bruce Cockburn,Banda Brava, Manteca, The Men from U.N.C.L.E, Long John Baldry, The Last Waltz, David Clayton-Thomas,and shared the stage with others like Tom Scott,Dave Valentin,Tito Puente, Paul Butterfield, Wavey Gravy(of Woodstock fame), Hennie Becker, and members Bill Payne and Ritchie Hayward of Little Feat he’s had a bit of a mashup of influences from R&R to R&B with more than a spattering of Pop, Latin and a few left turns to boot. Being involved in the pit with a number of Mirvish productions ranging from Tommy, Mama Mia, We Will Rock You, The Rat Pack and Dirty Dancing, as well as having recorded with a number of artists over the last half century, has brought him to this point and looking forward to more fun making music.
John Adames - Drums
Veteran drummer John Adames has graced stages everywhere from the Rex Hotel here in Toronto to Broadway NYC. Adames, who has played with the likes of The Bebop Cowboys and Canadian Country Music Hall of Famers Prairie Oyster has had his share of memorable experiences in the music industry, including the time he was playing in a band named Rough Trade between 1978 and 1979.
Danny is a multi-platinum, award-winning record producer, recording engineer and guitar player. He has produced over fifty albums, including Great Big Sea, Ian Tyson, Colm Wilkinson, Sophie Milman, Jane Bunnett and Spirit of the West, that have garnered 4 Juno Awards and seven EMCAs. As a guitarist he has performed with Murray McLauchlan, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Sylvia Tyson and The Great Speckled Bird, and The Romaniacs.
Wendell Ferguson
Wendell Ferguson’s never worked a day in his life. He just plays the guitar. He’s won “Guitar Player of the Year” six years in a row at the Canadian Country Music Awards. His CD; “Wendell Live: The $#!T Hits the Fans” was nominated for the CCMA Album of the Year. His “Menage a Moi” won the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Solo Instrumental. In 2014, Wendell was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Horns
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
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.
Best known as the concertmaster of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Marie Bérard is also a sought-after chamber musician, recording artist and teacher.
She is a member Trio Arkel and of the Grammy nominated ARC ensemble and is a regular performer at numerous chamber music festivals such as the Mainly Mozart festival in San Diego, California and the Bravo International Chamber Music Festival. Marie is on faculty at UofT, the Glenn Gould School and the Taylor Academy as well as with the National Youth Orchestra. She plays a 1767 Pietro Landolfi violin.
Min-Jeong Koh - Violin
Min-Jeong Koh is a violinist who has performed across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, appearing in celebrated concert halls as well as less traditional venues, including the San Francisco Women’s Jail, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Monarch School for homeless youth, among many others. Her passion for sharing music with communities led her to co-found Xenia Concerts Inc., a concert series originally created for families affected by autism that has since expanded its mission to embrace neurodiversity and disability. A devoted educator, Min-Jeong teaches at the Glenn Gould School and The Taylor Academy.
