The Newcombe Singers is happy to announce our new program in support of our young musicians in our region: the Newcombe Choral Fellowships.
The Newcombe Choral Fellowships scheme is designed to support advanced musicians at the high school or junior high school level in our community by integrating them into the choir in paid positions.
Newcombe Choral Fellows sing as section leaders, offering support to the singers in their sections. They also learn conducting skills, lead sectionals in rehearsals, and have solo and other leadership opportunities in our rehearsals and performances.
Newcombe Choral Fellows are supported in their musical development, both financially, through the Newcombe Singers Association, and through mentorship, coachings, and instructional sessions with our Music Director, Kathryn Whitney.
The Newcombe Choral Fellows for the 2024-25 Season are Makaio McKnight and Sean Dallin.
Makaio is a grade 11 student at Oak Bay Secondary School. He is an accomplished musician who devotes many hours to developing his musical skills in both his high school music program and in the community. Makaio has been fully immersed in his school’s music programs throughout his education. He has participated in elementary musicals, middle school and high school band and orchestra programs, Island Ukuleles district ukulele ensemble, and numerous choirs.
As an instrumentalist, Makaio was selected as a member of the Canadian Junior Honour Concert Band in 2022 as a trombonist. As a vocalist, Makaio invests hours a week singing in and assisting choirs. Singing in 4 concert choirs, 1 vocal jazz ensemble and 2 small ensembles, Makaio is an integral member of the Oak Bay High School Choral Program.
Makaio is proud to have been selected as a singer in the auditioned BC Music Educators Honor Vocal Jazz Ensemble for the past two years. In addition to his singing, Makaio uses his orchestra training to accompany multiple vocal jazz ensembles and combos with his double bass.
His musical versatility allows him to participate in small combos as a vocalist, an instrumentalist, or an accompanist. He is also actively involved in developing his leadership and teaching skills through volunteer work with Cedar Hill Middle School’s choral program.
Makaio McKnight is a Newcombe Choral Fellow in our 2024-25 Season.
Sean is a grade 12 high school student at Glenlyon Norfolk School.
Since Grade 4 he has been apart of the school choir, and he has played in band since Grade 6.
Although his future plans include work in other subjects, music will always be one of the most important and motivating factors of his life.
Sean Dallin is a Newcombe Choral Fellow in our 2024-25 Season.
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