Conductor's Biographies :: Lebeau-Petersen Productions

Choirs | Inspirata | Super Soul Sister | Bios | Rock 'n' Roll Academy

Bios

Connie Lebeau
Connie Lebeau brings ten years of teaching experience and several decades as a professional musician to Lebeau-Petersen Productions. Working alongside husband Niels Petersen, Connie sings lead and back-up vocals, plays bass guitar and writes horn arrangements for the Lebeau-Petersen Band. She has toured and recorded with Valdy, Disney recording artist Norman Foote, Connie Kaldor, Shari Ulrich and Gary Fjellgaard. As part of Raffi's band she performed at Radio City Music Hall and the Gershwin Theatre in NYC, where "Raffi On Broadway" was recorded live for CD and Video and produced by Phil Ramone. As vocal coach and arranger, Connie also works with the renowned Vic High R & B Band. Her relaxed, upbeat and supportive teaching style inspires student musicians of all ages.

Niels Petersen
Niels Petersen, a native of Denmark, has shared the stage with such artists as Joan Armatrading, Trish Yearwood, Suzy Bogguss, Pam Tillis, Tina Turner, Burton Cummings and Jeff Healey. His original music has been released on A&M Records, Savannah and Eureka labels. The producer and driving force behind the Lebeau-Petersen Band's CD, Hurtin' Man, Niels launched them into the international arena with performances in Europe and the Vancouver and Victoria Jazz Festivals. As musical director for the March 2000 Kaleidoscope production of "City", Niels used students from Lebeau-Petersen Productions for the four piece pit band.

Chris Petersen
With over four years of teaching experience, 'Crispy' uses Murray Creed's awesome program, 'Groove Essentials' for his curriculum. Chris' performance credits range from a video entitled 'Diabetes for Kids', which won the prestigious Freddie award in New York City; pit drummer for the March 2000 Kaleidoscope production of 'City'; to performances in Vancouver and on the Island with the 'Hoochy Girls', 'Twiceborn', 'Vasectomy's Child' and the 'Lebeau-Petersen Band'. Chris' various bands have opened for 'gob', 'Toasters' and the 'Planet Smashers'. His many years of experience performing in the tween band 'Scottish Fish' as well as the Lansdowne, Esquimalt and Oak Bay High School band programs, bode well as he prepares young drummers for our Rock Band program. Currently a member of the band 'Saul', Chris adds the 'cool' to the school!

Danielle Lebeau-Petersen
Special Guest Conductor, Super Soul Sister
Following her completion of the music program at Camosun College, it seemed only natural that Danielle would follow in the footsteps of her musical parents, Connie (Lebeau) & Niels (Petersen) who ran a renowned rock and roll school for adults and children in Victoria before taking sabbaticals this summer. A former member of the Vic High Rhythm and Blues Band, Danielle is steeped in the rock and rhythm and blues repertoire. She is also a natural teacher, and brings a fresh, international perspective to the R& B classics. Danielle has lived in Montreal, PQ and recently was an artist-in-residence in Nashville, Tennessee where she worked on her original songs and arranged music and choreography for the all-new 2008-2009 Super Soul Sister. Danielle’s energy and enthusiasm are bound to bring out your inner Aretha Franklin and get your mojo working.

Signi Murgatroyd
B.Mus (Voice), UBC; ARCT (Voice); M.Mus (Vocal Performance), University of Victoria
Special Guest Conductor 2008-2009 Season, Inspirata
Signi is an experienced and innovative teacher. She has studied with eminent teachers, including Arlene McIntyre, Dr. Virginia Hunter, Karen Smith, and Benjamin Butterfield. Post-graduate studies in vocal pedagogy with Richard Miller have provided Signi with a solid foundation on which to build the developing voice. Students are challenged to perform in studio recitals, competitions, and music festivals and are prepared for success in examinations, voice teacher training and university preparation. Signi's students are consistently acknowledged as top performers in competitions and examinations. She has been on faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music since 1997 and is a regular competition and festival adjudicator as well as a church soloist and choral director. An avid learner, Signi Murgatroyd organizes workshops, master classes and attends professional conferences to bring her students the best of the joy and art of singing.