PROUD TO BE THEIR CHAMPIONS.
We’re the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra’s biggest fan and we’ve been supporting them since 2012.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
On behalf of the City of St. John’s, I am pleased to extend warm greetings to the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra as you launch your 2025/2026 season, Obsessed, Onstage, Onfire.
This year’s theme reflects the passion, dedication, and energy the NSO brings to our community year after year. Through inspiring performances, meaningful education programmes, and steadfast community engagement, the NSO continues to ignite a love of music that enriches the cultural fabric of our city.
My sincere thanks go to the musicians, staff, volunteers, patrons, and sponsors who make each season possible. Your commitment ensures that the symphony not only thrives, but also continues to inspire audiences of all ages.
On behalf of Council, I congratulate the NSO on another exciting season and wish you every success as you share your extraordinary talent with our community.
Warm regards, Danny Breen Mayor of St. John’s
Message from the Lieutenant Governor
As Honorary Patron of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, it is my great pleasure to extend greetings and very best wishes for the 2025-2026 season.
The NSO is a wonderful orchestra, which has served to cultivate and profile many of the exceptional artists we have in our province. The gift of the NSO’s rich orchestral music has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of Newfoundland and Labrador. Again this year, a variety of performances are planned, sure to delight audiences and inspire us all.
This season is the first under the artistic leadership of Music Director Simon Rivard. Congratulations on your new role, and welcome!
I hope you will enjoy the performances the NSO has in store this year. To everyone involved: the musicians, staff, crew, and all who have a hand in producing this season, I thank you and wish you the best.
Joan Marie J. Aylward, O.N.L Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
We acknowledge the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as the traditional territory of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province. We strive for respectful relationships with all the peoples of this province as we search for collective healing and true reconciliation and honour this beautiful land together.
WINTER POPS THAT 70s SHOW
January 22-24, 2026 • St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre
Martin MacDonald, conductor; Dana Parsons, vocals with Amy Wilson, John Williams, backing vocals Baraka, Mike Bursey, Keith Power, Jodee Richardson, Wade Tarling, special guests
Persio Dominguez Piantini, RBC Emerging Artist Conductor Fellow
Don’t Leave Me This Way
Thelma Houston
(They Long to Be) Close to You The Carpenters
Midnight Train to Georgia
Stayin’ Alive
Make Your Own Kind of Music 1
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Bee Gees
Cass Elliot
Bridge Over Troubled Water 1 Simon and Garfunkel
Go Your Own Way 1
Fleetwood Mac
Hotel California 1 Eagles
I Feel the Earth Move
Superstition
Imagine
Carole King
Stevie Wonder
John Lennon
INTERMISSION
River Deep - Mountain High
I Will Always Love You
The Tears of a Clown
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Fire and Rain
Take Me Home, Country Roads
The Way We Were
Tina Turner and Ike Turner
Dolly Parton
Smokey Robinson
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
James Taylor
John Denver
Barbra Streisand
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman Aretha Franklin
Mr. Bluesky Electric Light Orchestra
Born to Run
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme
I Will Survive
Bruce Springsteen
ABBA
Gloria Gaynor
1 Conducted by Persio Dominguez Piantini
Arrangements courtesy of Jim Duff and Marc David
CONDUCTOR MARTIN MACDONALD
Martin MacDonald is one of Canada’s most dynamic and outstanding conductors and has been awarded both the Heinz Unger Award and the Jean-Marie Beaudet Award for orchestral conducting. Martin has guest conducted extensively across Canada having worked with the orchestras of Toronto, National Arts Centre, Vancouver, Victoria, Kamloops, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Niagara, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. He has served as a Cover and Guest Conductor for the National Ballet of Canada for several productions, and has worked with the Minnesota Ballet, Atlantic Ballet, and Halifax Dance. Martin has recorded extensively for the CBC and for several commercial recordings.
Martin has a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from McGill University. At McGill, he studied conducting with Alexis Hauser, served as assistant conductor to the McGill Symphony Orchestra, and worked with both Opera McGill and the McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble as well as several other orchestral and chamber music activities. Martin has a Bachelor’s degree in Cello from Memorial University. Martin further studied conducting with Bernhard Gueller, Boris Brott, and Michael Jinbo; and in workshops with Kenneth Kiesler, Gustav Meier, Jorma Panula, and Johannes Schlaefli. Martin’s conducting activities have been generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. As a cellist, Martin has performed extensively with many orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout Canada. Martin resides in Toronto, Ontario with his wife, Kristen and their daughter, Frances.
VIOLIN 1
Heather Kao (concertmaster)
Dominic Greene (asst. concertmaster)
Andy Kao
Anastasia Kiseleva
Whit Fitzgerald
Claire Boudreau
Amanda Yee (OCP)
Gina Burgess
VIOLIN 2
Nancy Case-Oates (principal)
Carole Bestvater
Elena Vigna
Ilyas Duissen
Jacquelyn Redmond
Valerie Hewson
Cathy Anstey
Stewart Gillies
VIOLA
Kate Read (principal)
Ema Shiroma-Chao
Chantelle Jubenville
Rosaura Aguilar
Mahina Graham-Laidlaw
Jonathan Stevenson
CELLO
Nathan Cook (principal)
Nulibeth Ortiz (asst. principal)
Amy Collyer-Holmes
Sandra Pope
Katherine Shipley
MUSICIANS
BASS
Frank Fusari (principal)
Denise Lear
Nick Howlett
Mario Miranda
FLUTE
Sarah Comerford (principal)
Donna Spurvey
OBOE/ ENGLISH HORN
Annie Corrigan (principal)
Sarah Perrault
CLARINET
Glenn Rice (principal)
Brenda Gatherall
BASSOON
Grant Etchegary (principal)
Nicole Hand
Chris Williams (contra)
HORN
Doug Vaughan (principal)
Libby Brennan
Michelle Stevenson
David Natsheh
TRUMPET
Katie Sullivan (principal)
Jill Dawe
Christian Berglander
TROMBONE
Darren McDonald (principal)
Erin Sullivan
BASS TROMBONE
Andrew Cooper (principal)
TUBA
Catherine Tansley (principal)
PERCUSSION
Rob Power (principal)
Etienne Gendron
Amy Parsons (OCP)
PIANO
Brian Way
GUITAR
Brad Jefford
SAXOPHONE
Greg Bruce
BASS
Frank Fusari
DRUMS
Scott Mansfield
GUEST ARTISTS
Dana Parsons is a radio host with Coast 101.1 by day and stage performer by night! With 2 original albums under her belt “It’s You, Not Me!” & “Within The Dark” she has received an ECMA nomination for, “Pop/ Rock Recording of the Year” and “The Galaxie Rising Star of the CBC” award. She is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre program where she received the APMAR recording award and the Jo Havilland Acting Achievement award. Dana is thrilled and honored to be performing for this year’s Winter Pops concert as the featured guest artist! Dana has been a member of Spirit of Newfoundland for over 18 years, and she is gearing up for another busy show season with them!
Amy Wilson holds a Bachelor of Music Education (Voice) from the University of Prince Edward Island and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from Memorial University. In 2021, she released a rendition of the cherished family song Merasheen Farewell on streaming platforms. Amy maintains an active performing schedule with Spirit of Newfoundland and as the lead vocalist for That ’90s Band. Her recent stage credits include Jersey Boys (TaDa!), Good As Gold (Sheila Williams), Elf the Musical (Peter MacDonald Productions), and 9 to 5 and A Call to Arms (Atlantic Light Theatre).
John Williams is an actor, instrumentalist, video tech from St. John’s who is a familiar face in the local musical theatre scene. A frequent performer with Spirit of Newfoundland, he has also appeared with TaDa! Events in productions of Cabaret, Jersey Boys, and Kinky Boots. John recently debuted as a director with the Elevator Pitch production of Lifespan of a Fact. Known for his engaging stage presence and musical versatility, he enjoys bringing technical and artistic skill to every project.
Wade Tarling is an award-winning Canadian pianist, composer, and arranger known for his expressive touch and creative versatility. With over two decades of experience performing across North America, South America, and Europe, Wade has shared the stage with many acclaimed artists and is a longtime member of the internationally celebrated group, The Ennis Sisters. A graduate of Capilano University with a B.Mus. and Jazz Diploma, his work blends jazz, folk, and cinematic influences. His recent solo album, Shoreline Sounds, captures the natural beauty of NL through vivid, atmospheric compositions that blur the line between sound and landscape.
Keith Power is a triple threat theatre artist from Mount Pearl. He is usually found on (and off) stage with Spirit of Newfoundland where he sings, acts, writes and directs musical comedies for one of the province’s most beloved theatre companies. He has also been found with Jazz East Big Band, multiple other production companies in St. John’s and in various drag performances with his different personas; Shaguya Twain, Lady Guy Guy, and Mandonna. He is an in-demand vocalist and actor for theatre, as well as an MC for local fundraisers and community events. He is delighted to be working with The NSO alongside some of his most talented friends!
Baraka - From his home base of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Baraka embodies the spirit of a world-class entertainer. Performing music since his early teens and inspired by his idols, Baraka’s sound and presence are a cohesive blend of his influences. Encompassing deep-cut storytelling aspects of folk icons like Tracy Chapman, energized and relatable expressionism akin to some of his biggest heroes in Ed Sheeran and John Mayer, and clever compositions inspired by RnB legends like Ne-yo and Usher; Baraka stays true to who he is, what he loves, and his interpretation of the world, expertly walking the line between familiarity and refreshing novelty. Through the guidance and support of Hurricane Music and his local community, the 2023 release of his body of work “Voicemail,” and 2024 release of “Galaxy” garnered him recognition and respect in the industry, earning multiple placements in editorial playlists, the 2023 MusicNL Global Music Artist of The Year Award, and back-to-back nominations for the ECMA African-Canadian Artist of the year for 2023 and 2024, Baraka is a creative that is rooted as one of the people and one with the people, telling his stories with humility and grace. Baraka continues to work on multiple projects both personal and collaborative, honing his craft and broadening perspectives in an effort to produce works of art that are relatable, exciting and engaging.
Michael Bursey - St. John’s–based singer-songwriter Michael Bursey grew up surrounded by music and began performing at a young age before cutting his teeth in the city’s lively downtown music scene. Known for his strong tenor voice, catchy melodies, and thoughtful songwriting, Michael draws inspiration from everyday life and social reflection. His debut album, For You, My Dear, was released in 2020. He lives in CBS and continues to write and perform in and around St. John’s.
Jodee Richardson is one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most diverse and respected performers/creators. A renowned singer/songwriter/actor as well as playwright and sound designer, Jodee enjoys travelling the province writing about the people and places he encounters.
Persio Dominguez Piantini -Dominican conductor and music educator Persio Domínguez (MMus Orchestra Conducting MUN’26), is a fervent advocate for community engagement, cultural exchange, and empowerment through music. He has collaborated as assistant conductor with the Big Band of the Dominican National Conservatory of Music, and as principal conductor with the String Orchestra and Choir of the Dominican Academy of Music and Arts, and the DIGEPEP Intercommunity Youth Wind Band. Locally, Domínguez serves as the artistic director of the Tenacious String Orchestra, the Cayenne Trio, and the NL Latin Band. As the new recipient of the RBC Emerging Artist Conductor Fellowship 2025, he looks forward to fostering artistic growth and creating meaningful musical experiences.
UPCOMING CONCERTS
6 MAR. 20
1 MAR. 28
OVATION A STANDING FOR OUR SUPPORTERS
NSO Staff
Simon Rivard, Music Director
Martin MacDonald, Principal Pops Conductor
Hugh Donnan, CEO
Lynn Ann Pye, Patron Relations
Jennifer Brennan, Education & Outreach Coordinator
Maria Penney, Marketing & Development Manager
Dominic Greene, Personnel Manager
Steve Power, Production Manager/Video Production/Editing
Jenny Griffioen, Librarian
Kyle McDavid, Graphic Designer
NSO Board
Jessica Chapman (Chair)
Michelle Davis (Vice-Chair)
Tom Hickey (Past Chair)
Douglas Wright (Treasurer)
Robert Thompson (Corporate Secretary)
Philip Harrington
Eleanor Swanson
Heather McKinnon
Andrea Rose
Duncan Fitzpatrick
Glenn Colton
Alana Walsh-Giovannini
Aimee Letto
Robert Decker
Jennifer Massey
Jing Xia
Karen Bulmer
Chris Williams
Amanda Hann
Charlie Byrne
Andrii Shyshkin
Beth Porter
