Bruce Trail Blue Mountains Musicians Lineup for Bruce Trail Day 2024

Musician Biographies

Main Trail Performances 11:00 – 12:00

Jack Bischoff
Jack, a grade 7 student in Collingwood, looks forward to sharing his incredible passion for singing and performing during the Bruce Trail Blue Mountains Music Hike. From a young age, Jack has had a deep love for the arts. He made his debut on the stage in the production of “School of Rock, Wasaga Beach, 2022, 5 performances at 9 years of age. Jack enjoyed playing the lead role of Charlie in the enchanting musical “Willy Wonka”, Wasaga Beach, June 2023, 5 performances. Jack is currently a cast member (Tommy) in Matilda Jr with Clearview Community Theatre and is excited to bring the production to life at the end of October. Jack enjoys captivating audiences with his positive attitude and charm using his ability to entertain people, leaving all smiling. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Jack shares a deep love for nature and outdoor adventures and is eagerly preparing for this year’s Musical Hike. His aim is to transport the audience on a musical journey through the wilderness, combining his love for singing and hiking. Jack hopes to inspire and help foster a deeper appreciation for both the arts and the natural world for all participants on the Music Hike.
The Makwa Project
Joining The Makwa Project are: Janice, who is a musical icon from the group the Marvalets ” of Don’t mess with Bill” fame from The Original Broadway production of The Wiz who has also appeared in various television shows; Damian Spaulding, Owner of the Spaulding School of the Arts, on Keyboards, and Angel of the Angel School of Yoga will be doing interpretive dance and twirl, A real experience for all the senses. Top Shelf entertainment on the Bruce because that’s how we do it here ❤️ Makwa Drummer
Andy Elliott
Andy is a multi-instrumentalist who takes inspiration from the waters of Georgian Bay and the rugged landscapes it is enveloped in. Using synthesizers and guitars, he conveys his impression of his surroundings into ambient music. Andy is currently working on a follow-up to his debut album “On The Periphery of Disco” — available on your preferred streaming service.
Samantha Jones
Samantha is a singer-songwriter in Collingwood Ontario. She has been writing songs and performing her original music for over 30 years. Samantha recently recorded a seven-song album, one of the songs is playing on the Peak FM. She runs a songwriters showcase for original music starting in the fall at The Harbour Street Fish Bar Wednesday evenings showcasing herself and other songwriters in the area. She has a video and number of her songs at – https://youtube.com/@samanthajones3310?si=hu_65qYsLn73jxk5.
Melissa Courvoisier
Melissa Courvoisier is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Toronto-based indie quartet, Ida Benna. Though grounded in blues and folk, Melissa’s love of music extends across many and varied influences and genres, from alternative and classic rock to jazz and Reggae to pop and hip hop among others. Whether playing her own original songs or some of her favourite covers, Melissa loves making music with others and playing at festivals, cafes, street shows, and even in the woods along a trail!
Alan McKnight
Alan is an old-time fiddler who lives in Brampton Ontario. Alan enjoys playing all types of fiddle music including Canadian and American old time, Celtic, folk, swing and bluegrass styles. He 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 his wife Pat enjoy attending various fiddle contests and jams across the province and playing with the numerous friends they have made playing music.
Key-Hole Performances 12:00 – 1:00
A. Bob Woodcock
Bob is a singer songwriter with an east coast vibe. His song writing 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”.
B. Melissa Lloyd
Melissa has been playing the fiddle since she was seven years old and is a traditional Canadian step dance champion. This mom of three loves to share her passion for music and dance with all. Melissa runs a dance school in Shelburne and Maxwell that offers step dance and fiddle lessons.

Main Trail Performances 1:00 – 2:00
Trail Head – Bob Muir
Over 79 years ago, at the age of four, Bob began playing on a 1/16th size violin. By the time he was in high school he had worked up to a full-size instrument that he still has today. Bob’s love for music was encouraged by his mother, the piano teacher in Port Credit. Bob excelled on both the violin and the trombone. After a break from music to build and race sailboats Bob resumed his musical journey in the 1970’s playing in the second violin section of the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra and trombone with the Mike White Dixieland Band. Bob eventually moved to Collingwood and played first trombone with the Georgian Sound Big Band for over ten years and now plays first Trombone with the Georgian Sound Concert Band. Bob also plays violin with the Huronia Symphony Orchestra and has a band, the Regal Jazz Band, that plays traditional tunes at local venues.

Jeff Monague
Jeff is singer/songwriter from the Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island who is a 2024 Ontario Arts Council Award Nominee. His music has been featured on television and radio throughout Canada and internationally on satellite radio.
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Keiko Yoden-Kuepfer
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!
Lesley Joosten
Lesley has over 30 years’ 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.
Leigh Gallant
Leigh grew up in Three Brooks, Nova Scotia, where she learned to bagpipe as a member of the Heatherbells Pipes and Drums, an all-girls junior pipe band that travelled throughout the Maritimes each summer as musical community ambassadors. When she moved to Collingwood in 2003, she found her new community in the members of the Beinn Gorm Highlanders, a local band that share their enthusiasm for Scottish music and culture by offering free lessons to new learners, young and old. Leigh currently serves as pipe sergeant for the band. When she’s not piping, you can find the mom of two out running the trails or paddling on Georgian Bay.
Motes & Oats
Motes & Oats is a duo known for powerful harmonies and feel-good songs. Their songs are co-written, and guitar-driven, with a sprinkling of flute melodies that intersect to create a style influenced by folk, country, rock and jazz, but arrive at something totally their own. Motes & Oats have performed across Canada including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Their song Saskatchewan from their debut album Simple Things won Best Folk at the Kootenay Music Awards. After moving to Collingwood in 2020, this married couple has been spotted sharing their music at various local events including Local Live Lunch, Samantha Jones’ Singer-Songwriter Series, Sidelaunch Days, Collingwood’s Canada Day Stomp and the Bruce Trail Annual Music Hike.