Entertainers

Rozalind MacPhail, pre-event/breakfast performance

Newfoundland’s award-winning songwriter, looping-flutologist and inspirational speaker Rozalind MacPhail explores new ways of combining sound and image in audio-visual works that speak honestly of people, place and the human experience. A classically-trained flutist, MacPhail layers moody vocals, electrifying flute loops, omnichord and driving electronics through her effects pedals and the digital audio workstation, Ableton Live. One of the world’s most buzzed about Di Zhao Artists, MacPhail has received multiple honours and awards including a recent nomination for ECMA’s Industry Innovator of the Year. She’s recorded 12 albums, composed music for film and toured internationally over the last two decades. She’s currently recording her upcoming album PUSH & PULL which features music production by Pick a Piper aka Brad Weber of 2x Grammy winning Canadian group Caribou.

Michelle Doyle, featured performance (opening and closing song)

Michelle Doyle (B.Mus ’98) is honoured to be invited to be a part of the Reimagining Leadership conference. A seasoned veteran of the stage and screen, Michelle has had the privilege of performing in theatres worldwide. However, her favourite place to sing is most certainly home in Newfoundland and Labrador. Michelle completed a Bachelor of Music from Memorial University and furthered her speciality in with a Diploma in Music Theatre performance at Sheridan College, Ontario.  Before Michelle’s performance career led her to settle in South Florida, she headlined as a premier vocalist on Holland America Cruise Lines and has appeared in countless musicals, stage shows, concerts and recordings, including her own solo self-titled album. In her professional life, as Executive Recruiter, Michelle is committed to achieving excellence for her team at KBRS.  Her proven record of distinction in business and music was honed through a passion for artistic excellence in her work, community and home.  In her downtime, she can be found parenting her 7-year-old daughter, on a running trail or in a kitchen developing her next delicious recipe.

Paige Penney, morning break performance

Paige Penney is a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, from St. John's, Newfoundland. Paige has received three Canadian Folk Music Award nominations and two MusicNL Award nominations. She has received the MusicNL Newfound Talent Contest and the Arts and Letters awards. Paige's first single, "Watch Out For Your Step" features Newfoundland folk trio The Once. Paige's second single "Shooting Star" features a co-write with Alan Doyle who is also featured in the music video. In September 2021, Paige opened for Canadian sensation Johnny Reid at the Iceberg Alley Festival and headlined her own sold out show at the Masonic Theatre where she received a standing ovation for her performance. In 2022, Paige released a new single "Fingers Crossed" along with a music video that was filmed in Maui, Hawaii. Paige is currently writing for her sophomore album to be released in 2023.

Ife Alaba, featured performance

Ife Alaba (born Ifeoluwa Alaba on June 10, 1999) is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She grew up in South Africa with a strong musical background resulting from being in choirs, and orchestras, undergoing opera training, and learning the trombone. Ife began her music career after moving to Canada, as a performer at the Memorial University in 2017. She started releasing her own music in 2020, and each song showcases her unique vocal abilities and her life experiences as a muse for her heart-wrenching hooks. Since then she has opened for Tim Baker and City in Colour and is a five-time Music NL Nominee. Ife Alaba uses creative but subtle melodies while keeping her music relatable and catchy. She is a powerful vocalist whose music style has been influenced by a mixture of pop, afro, and classical music. She has been compared to the likes of Asa, Sade and Jorja Smith. 

Flower Hill, lunch performance

Flower Hill is a St. John's Newfoundland based folk trio made up of longtime friends Sherry Ryan, Maria Cherwick (MMus’17) and Andrea Monro. Bringing sweet harmonies, original and classic songs, and a magical stage presence to their shows, Flower Hill is a musical experience to be remembered. Sherry Ryan's songwriting has been winning hearts across the country and her song Stop The Trains was voted best song in the province by The Overcast's 2018 People’s Choice Awards. She was also awarded 2018 Music NL Female Artist of the Year. Andrea Monro is a singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist who has performed in Canada and the UK. Her performance highlights include Juno, ECMA and MusicNL showcases, performances for the CBC and the St. John's Folk Festival. Maria Cherwick is a highly trained violinist and musician versed in multiple styles and traditions. Music has taken her from coast to coast and around the world as a performer of both classical and folk music. Maria was awarded 2018 Music NL Side Musician of the Year.

Deantha Edmunds, featured performance

Deantha Edmunds is Canada’s first Inuk professional classical singer, and an award-winning performer. An urban Inuk, creator, and mentor, Deantha aims to empower Indigenous people and share their stories. She is currently based in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador. Deantha’s work has international reverberation as well as community integrity. From solo and internationally broadcast performances for His Holiness, Pope Francis in Iqaluit to performing one-woman shows about the lives and legacy of the Beothuk in Newfoundland, and from contributing to large choral gatherings to teaching one-on-one music lessons, Deantha is committed to bringing her music and skill to developing deeper understandings about reciprocal collaboration amongst Indigenous peoples, their musics and settlers. She brings a level of professional excellence to Canada’s Indigenous art scene that is unique and important. Deantha has released three albums of music. The most recent from 2022 is her Music NL award-winning solo album Connections. Her contribution to Messiah/Complex with Against the Grain Theatre and Toronto Symphony Orchestra helped garner the production a 2022 Juno nomination. Deantha was one of the recipients of the 2020 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in the Opera Division in Two Odysseys: Pimooteewin / Gállábártnit, produced by Soundstreams/Signal Theatre/Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš. Actively working on creating original operatic work, contributing to other Indigenous productions, and mentoring young Indigenous artists, Deantha sings her heart out and turns heads across Canada and the world.

Kelly McMichael, afternoon break performance

Kelly McMichael is a multi-instrumentalist and vocal chameleon with a knack for timeless rock and pop songwriting that also sounds distinctly original. Her debut LP 'Waves' broke through the pandemic haze as a notable independent release in May 2021, getting short-listed for The Polaris Prize and winning The East Coast Music Award for Best Rock Album. Kelly also took home three MusicnNL awards related to the album including Songwriter of the Year. Kelly has toured internationally and/or collaborated in studio with Rouge, Sarah Harmer, The Burning Hell, Allie X, Regina Gently, Gentleman Reg, Joanna Barker and Thelma & Louise and is enjoying a change to focus primarily on her own project. With the addition of LHM Records as label support, a second album is in the works.

Signature Jewellery Designer

Jaclyn Humphries, a contemporary jewellery/textile artist, was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Now residing in Tors Cove, Humphries operates her business, Hillside Fine Craft in her Studio + Shop. Humphries has always had a passion for the handmade, with her father teaching her construction and her mother who taught her to sew and express her creativity. Her work is inspired by forms found in nature and everyday life, with many of those inspirations stemming from her home province. To follow her passion, she attended the College of the North Atlantic, graduating with a Diploma in Textile Studies. Following graduation, she enrolled at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, graduating with a BFA Interdisciplinary, focusing on jewellery design and metalsmithing. Upon graduation Humphries returned to her roots to share her knowledge and skills through her jewellery designs. She has always had a desire to keep traditional handmade craft alive in our province. For over a decade she has been involved in volunteering and participating in art and craft not-for-profit organizations. Humphries is always experimenting with new materials and ideas, driven to continue learning, creating, and sharing with others.

 Portrait booths with photographers Jane Brokenshire and Chelsey Lawrence – pay-what-you-can for a professional head shot for your social media.  All proceeds go to fund for student leadership.