2006 Judge's Panel
Rita Chiarelli
Canadian singer - songwriter Rita Chiarelli is an accomplished entertainer who has been performing since the age of fifteen. Rita is a gifted storyteller, lyricist and master of poetic imagery.
Rita has toured extensively in Canada, the USA and Europe. Rita’s albums include: Road Rockets; the JUNO nominated Just Getting Started; What a Night – Live; Breakfast at Midnight which earned Rita another JUNO nomination for Best Blues Album and No One to Blame
During the past decade Rita has toured continuously, playing festivals and concert halls throughout North America and Europe. She has earned numerous Maple Blues Awards and has been nominated repeatedly as Female Vocalist, Entertainer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year, while Breakfast at Midnight earned nominations for Recording of the Year and Producer of the Year. The Manitoba Blues Society has made her an honorary lifetime member and in 2002 Rita was honoured by Canadian fans, receiving the "Great Canadian Blues Award" awarded annually by CBC Radio.
Rita is currently balancing her busy touring schedule with time off the road to work on material for the two albums slated for release in 2006. An album of old Italian folk songs will be released in October. A CD release party will be held Oct. 15, 2006, 7 p.m. at the DaVinci Centre in Thunder Bay.
Wendy Morgan
Wendy Morgan is a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance – Highland & National. She is the Principal of Morgan’s School of Highland Dancing. She has been teaching for 36 years and trained dancers to compete in Canada, US and Scotland. Nine of her dancers recently returned from The Nationals in Calgary with 13 medals including 1 gold.
Jane Saunders
Jane Saunders is currently the Arts Chair and the Music Teacher at Port Arthur Collegiate Institute. She is former director of the Thunder Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra and Arts Chair at Fort William Collegiate Institute. Jane has worked with both Westgate and FWCI in 7 broadway musicals and has been a Music Teacher for the Lakehead School Board for almost 20 years. Jane holds a Ph.D. degree in Education, as well as 3 additional degrees in Music Education.
Scott van Teeffelen
Independent Country Recording Artist and Songwriter, Scott Van Teeffelen has been an active musician, performer and entertainer since childhood. Scott recorded his first full-length original album “North” which was released worldwide in the summer of 2004. Scott and his new band – “The Backroads Band” are currently in the studio working on a new album scheduled for release late 2006 or early 2007.
Scott has played all venues from concerts, to festivals and with groups ranging from orchestral bands to church choirs and, of course, on stage as both a solo performer and with his five piece band. Scott has shared the stage with such artists as Country legends: Don Williams, Marty Stuart and Tracey Lawrence as well as Gil Grand, Lace, Colin Amey, Jamie Warren and Dr. Hook.
