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.
Meet the Prairie Vox Board Members
Jocelyn Lequier - Jobin
Prairie Vox Board Member - President
Choir Member - 1st Soprano
City of Portage
I grew up in Portage and have been working at the City of Portage for the last 11 years, currently as the Director of Operations. I am married and have two grown up kids and one very spoiled dog. I have also been a gymnastics coach for 17 years. I trained in voice up to grade 8 Royal Conservatory and participated in several choirs over the years. I have also done some musical theater, most recently I played the role of Mrs. Brill the housekeeper in Mary Poppins.
Sylvia Gauthier
Prairie Vox Board Member - Librarian
Choir Member - 2nd Soprano
Retired - by day
Enjoying my passion which is bringing joy to others through singing. Have participated in several different choirs in different cities throughout my life's journey which include Eklectic and church choirs. Enjoyed every one.
Paula Mellen
Prairie Vox Board Member -
Media & Communications
Choir Member - Alto
Teacher
It all started with tap shoes and ambition. Paula’s love for the arts began under the teachings of Kerri-Lynn Blight in Elva Preston’s basement. On Saturday mornings, you could find her turning Gerry Wilson’s marble step at Garland and Wilson Jewelers into her own private stage.
The music continued at Crescentview School. She was a participant Susan Mitchell’s choir. She had important acting roles in the musicals as “The Irate Villager" in Robin Hood and one of six witches in Monster Mash. She took piano lessons with Lorraine Samolesky and played clarinet in Cathy Pedden’s band classes.
As an adult, The Portage Arts Centre was host to many introductions to artforms, from dance - hula and afro-infusion hip hop to ballroom, social and belly dancing. In the arts – painting, pottery, soapstone carving and so much more.
Joining Helen White’s Jazz Choir checked off a bucket list items and since then, Prairie Vox has become her fun, weeknight out.
Paula didn’t just keep the love of music for herself—she shared it with her students. As a teacher in The Portage la Prairie School Division, she had taught K-6 music at North Memorial School for a couple of years directing Christmas concerts. Under the mentorship of Joanne Hoyak, she led students to the Portage Music and Arts Festival. Moving to the classroom she hosted assemblies full of song and dance.
Paula has held onto every single ticket stub from every event she’s ever attended. Her very first concert, Corey Hart, to the most recent Sarah McLachlan. Even concerts away such as Mecano at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona and Riverdance at The Gaiety Theater in Dublin.
She has a long history of community service especially in areas of recreation and wellness.
The Portage Arts Centre & The Glesby Centre (prior to their "remix" into Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment).
The Oakville Early Learning Centre Board.
The Portage Teachers’ Association Executive (as the Recreation and Wellness Chair).
Board Member for Prairie Vox in Media and Communications, her “latest gig”.
Stepping into the Media and Communications role for Prairie Vox, she is thrilled to help amplify the arts community that has given her so much over the years.
Rebecca Hustins
Prairie Vox Board Member -
Treasurer
Choir Member - Soprano
From a young age I have always had a strong love for music. Growing up in a Christian community there was always beautiful music surrounding me and I always enjoyed singing along. After I graduated I attended Bible school and there I was a part of the choir as well as took voice lessons for the year. After that I just enjoyed singing as there were no choirs available and I not much of a soloist. Meeting Janine as she was teaching our son piano was a Godsend, she invited me to join the choir and it has been such a blessing.
Delnora Rice
Prairie Vox Board Member - Secretary
Choir Member - 2nd Soprano
City of Portage
Delnora has been actively involved in music for many years. During high school, she participated in both the choir and recorder ensemble. She continued her musical involvement at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, where she sang in the university choir while earning a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, majoring in Food and Nutrition.
After settling in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Delnora worked as the Director of Dietetics at the Portage la Prairie District General Hospital for several years. She later became a stay-at-home mother to her two sons, who were actively involved in the local Prairie Sounds Festival and the provincial Associated Manitoba Arts Festival (AMAF).
Delnora has been a dedicated supporter of the music and arts community. She has served on the board of the Prairie Sounds Festival since its inception in 2012 and is also a board member of the Associated Manitoba Arts Festival.
Prior to joining Prairie Vox Choir, Delnora was a member of the Eklektik Choir, led by the late Ken McLeod.
In addition to singing, Delnora has developed her instrumental skills later in life. She learned to play the piano as an adult and completed the Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 5 examinations. More recently, she has taken up the ukulele and is a member of the Prairie Strummers Ukulele Club. She also participates in a handbell choir.
Kristin Zwarich
Prairie Vox Board Member -
Vice President
Choir Member - Alto
Kristin’s earliest memories of enjoying music were learning to play the triangle and the xylophone as a student at Fort la Reine School, followed by the recorder (she can still smell the Dettol) and the ukelele. There may also have been the odd backyard performance singing with friends for the neighborhood. Taking piano lessons, singing in the church choir and learning the flute as a band student at Prince Charles School and at PCI cemented her music appreciation; playing “Take the A Train” to an appreciative audience was a core memory. Figure skating over the years exposed her classical music as well--watching Torvill and Dean’s artistic storytelling of Ravel’s “Bolero” in ’84 was inspiring. Background performances in high school drama presentations and musicals introduced a new genre of music to her. Several years later, Kristin joined Prairie Players.
Though there wasn’t choir in high school at the time that she can recall, Kristin did get to sing with some other students at her Gr.12 graduation dinner, and as an adult, she sang as part of a large cast one time in a play at church. Those were the last times Kristin
sang in a choir setting prior to joining Prairie Vox.
A retired, but still teaching, middle years teacher and school administrator of almost four decades in the Portage la Prairie School Division, Kristin enjoyed helping with extra- curricular choirs and drama clubs, school Variety Nights and Speech Arts-Concours d’Art Oratoire over the years. Supporting students in developing and showcasing their interests, talents, and passions through arts education was important to her and very rewarding.
Kristin and her husband, a Steely Dan enthusiast, live with their cat in Portage la Prairie and have two grown children living in BC, both of whom explored theatre, played instruments in band and sang in choirs throughout their time at school and recall these classes fondly. Kristin and her husband are currently learning more about jazz these days as their son is pursuing a career as a jazz guitarist.
Pleased to be part of Prairie Vox, Kristin says it has been a great way to connect (and reconnect!) with others, learn new things, and do something you enjoy.
Barbara Lewis
Soprano
I have sung in church choirs since I was 10 years old, junior and senior choirs. I sang with Sweet Adeline’s and and had my own quartet. I sang with the Eclectic Choir until the late Ken McLeod retired. In short, I love to sing and I love singing with Prairie Vox!
Joelle Wiebe
Tenor
I love to sing. Been in a choir since I was 8 years old. Starting singing tenor and I love it!!
Glenda Melnic
Alto
My musical journey started with the piano and then flute in the band. My choir journey started with participating in CMYC in high school. Choir has taken me to Europe to sing at the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, perform in the Notre Dame Cathedral in France, the streets of Venice, various churches in Italy, Germany and Austria, sing with the WSO and CMU choirs and finally New York! Currently my skills are put to use on my church Praise and Worship team as well as solo work at church, weddings and funerals and the odd karaoke.
Holly Mason
Alto
Hi my name is Holly Mason, and I sing alto I was in choir in elementary school and high school, this is my second year in Prairie Vox Choir. I am also a lyric operator at Prairie Alliance Church I am also learning camera which gets me around the music more, I am also learning guitar and and teaching myself how to play Piano/keyboard using easy read piano books and YouTube tutorials. Im also in voice lessons. My main goal at the end of this is to sing on the worship team at Prairie Alliance Church.
