2026 BMBTC Bruce Trail Day Musicians Lineup

Number

Musician Name

Biographies

1

Samantha Jones

Singer, Guitar – Samantha is a singer-songwriter in Collingwood, Ontario. She has been writing songs and performing her original music for over 30 years. She’s running the 3rd season of her Songwriter’s Sessions for original music at The Harbour Street Fish Bar, Wed evenings, 6 pm to 8 pm, showcasing herself and other songwriters in the area. She has a video and a number of her songs at – https://youtube.com/@samanthajones3310?si=hu_65qYsLn73jxk5.

2

Lesley Joosten

Flutist – Lesley has over 30 years of experience playing C flute, piccolo, and alto flute. She has taught not only private and group lessons, but has been involved in directing youth bands, flute choirs, and workshops, adjudicating, co-chairing music festivals, and developing a music scholarship program. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music through the University of Toronto and has had the opportunity to perform in orchestras throughout the Toronto area and the Netherlands, extending into the European Orchestra Festivals. Lesley is the director of the Beaver Valley Concert Band, which rehearses and performs in and around Collingwood and the Bay Area, and she is also the choir conductor at Trinity United Church in Collingwood. Lesley also runs Djembe Drum Circles in Wasaga Beach and Creemore, teaching rhythms and the spirituality of drumming through a program she developed called “ Speak The Beat”.

3

Motes and Oates

Singers – Motes and Oats is a dynamic musical duo known for rich vocal harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and a signature blend of folk, country, rock, and jazz influences. Co-written and guitar-driven, their songs are brought to life with stories of love, change, and resilience. Whether performing as a duo, a trio, or with a full band, Motes and Oats delivers warm, emotionally resonant performances that connect deeply with audiences. Their debut album Simple Things features the award-winning song “Saskatchewan,” which earned Best Folk Award at the Kootenay Music Awards. The duo has performed across Canada—from British Columbia to Ontario—gaining fans with their feel-good energy and finely crafted tunes.

4

Keiko Kupfer

Keyboard – Keiko is an accomplished concert pianist, organist, and accompanist. She is originally from Katano City, Osaka, Japan, one of the sister cities of Collingwood. She has performed both locally and internationally and, while in Japan, has taught in high schools and at the Osaka International University. Since making her home in Collingwood in 2006, Keiko has been sharing her expertise with students and the local community. She has accompanied the Sound Investment Community Choir since 2010 and conducts the Youth Ensemble, the church choir, and other instrumental groups. 

She was the music director and organist at All Saints’ Anglican Church for 16 years, and now she is a freelance organist who keeps quite busy visiting several churches in the region. Keiko is a very active member of the Georgian Triangle Music Teachers’ Association, Royal Canadian College of Organists, Simcoe-Muskoka branch and is the Collingwood-centre representative of the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is also involved in the Collingwood-Katano Sister-City Committee, where she is helping to develop a friendship between these two cities!

5

6

Sheila Stewart

Piper – Sheila started her piping journey at 11 years of age, learning from the Stayner Pipe Band. Sheila is a founding member and the Pipe Major of Collingwood’s Pipe Band, The Beinn Gorm Highlanders. The band offers free lessons to new learners and performs at various events throughout the Southern Georgian Bay Area. The band also proudly represented our community at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in 2022!

7

Jack Bischoff

Singer, Dancer – Jack Bischoff, a Grade 8 student from Collingwood, brings enthusiasm, charm, and a playful sense of humour to every performance. He made his stage debut at age nine in School of Rock (Wasaga Beach, 2022), played the lead role of Charlie in Willy Wonka (Wasaga Beach, June 2023), and starred as Maui in his school production of Moana, where he discovered how much he enjoys playing a comedic character. Jack was a cast member in Matilda (Clearview 2024) and recently filmed a children’s television show set to premiere this fall. He was also recently featured on The Scoop Georgian Bay. Outside the spotlight, he loves hiking and exploring the Bruce Trail, and he’s excited to blend that love of nature with his music for the Musical Hike, aiming to lead audiences on a joyful musical journey through the outdoors.

8

TBD

9

TBD

10

 Al McKnight

Fiddlers – Alan and Pat are old-time fiddlers who live in Brampton, Ontario.  They enjoy playing all types of fiddle music, including Canadian and American old-time, Celtic, folk, swing and bluegrass styles.  They can often be found playing at square dances in the area or performing with the Karen Reed Orchestra and the Oakville Celtic Fiddle Orchestra.  Alan and Pat enjoy attending various fiddle contests and jams across the province, where they play with the numerous friends they have made playing music. 

11

Bob Woodcock

Singer, Guitar. Bob is a singer-songwriter with an East Coast vibe. His songwriting journey started during the pandemic. He’s been described as a musical storyteller who captures those moments most of us have experienced in our lives. Several of his songs focus on the Collingwood Shipyard. A friend coined the phrase “The Bard of the Yard”.

12

TBD

13

Lyle Oliver

Singer, Guitar – Lyle is a Disney-published singer-songwriter, born in Scotland and now living in Thornbury. An enigmatic writer not wanting to be like or sound like anyone else. All the time working under the premise of writing catchy, hooky songs that have meaningful lyrics, and that people can relate to. Trying to write radio-friendly songs that get into your head. Songs to sing along to. You can listen to Lyle Oliver on Spotify and Apple Music. Website: www.lyleoliver.com, Instagram: @lyleolivermusic

14

Alicia Hutchings

Classical 

15

Sound Investment Community Choir

Choir – Celebrating 50+ years of song on Georgian Bay! The Sound Investment Community Choir was founded in Collingwood in 1973. Since 2023 the choir has been under the direction of Danil Biba, an accomplished musician with a Masters in Music from Dresden University in Germany. Our repertoire includes a wide variety of music from Bach to Beatles. The choir is accompanied by Keiko Yoden-Kuepfer, a skilled concert pianist and organist.

16

Warren Coates

Singer, Guitar – Warren Coates is a Collingwood busker, trained actor, writer, and multi-instrumentalist (drummer, singer, guitarist). In his words, “I left Mississauga for Collingwood in 2021 under the cover of darkness…I really don’t like to talk about it. Since then, I have been hiding out at open mic’s and the occasional retirement facility, disguising myself as a musician.” Trees will be swaying. Rocks will be rocking.

17

TBD

TBD

18

TBD

TBD