Prairie Vox Member Spotlights
Janine Waines - Choir Director
Born and raised in Virden, Manitoba, Janine Waines developed a deep love for music through active involvement in choir, band, piano, and musical theatre throughout her school years. She pursued her passion at Brandon University, earning a Bachelor of Music in 1999 and a Bachelor of Education in 2004. She later completed a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies from Acadia University in Nova Scotia in 2014.
Janine began her teaching career in Brandon, Manitoba, where she led Grade 7/8 beginning band from 2004 to 2014. She then moved to Saskatchewan to direct the high school band at Swift Current Comprehensive High School until 2020. Her teaching journey took her abroad to the American International School in Hong Kong, where she taught high school music from 2020 to 2022 and co-directed the Tak-Ming Philharmonic Winds and performed as a member of the ensemble.
In 2023, Janine returned to Manitoba, settling in Portage la Prairie. The following year, she became the Artistic Director of the Prairie Vox Community Choir, an adult choir with members from Portage la Prairie and surrounding areas. Under her leadership, the choir was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in January 2026.
Janine Waines is known for her passionate and inclusive approach to music education, her dedication to building community through music, and her belief in the power of music to inspire, connect, and transform.
Gareth Rice - Prairie Vox Accompanist
Gareth Rice is a Portage la Prairie musician who is regularly active in the Winnipeg music scene.
Gareth began learning the piano at an early age and completed his Grade 10 RCM, winning awards in local and provincial music festivals. His passion for improvisation eventually led him to
jazz after being exposed to the local jam sessions and artists such as Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner.
A graduate of the University of Manitoba Jazz Studies program, he studied under JUNO winner Will Bonness and has played at venues such as the Winnipeg Jazz Festival and the Fort Garry Hotel with his band, the Wild Rice Quartet.
In addition to performing, Gareth hosts a successful radio show on UMFM 101.05 called Canadiana Suite where he programs music and interviews local and international artists. This has featured musicians like Jocelyn Gould, Laila Biali, Curtis Nowosad, Ingrid Jensen, and Sullivan Fortner.
