Staff

The multi-level program, under the direction of Linda Hawkins and Dr. Regan MacNay, is designed to promote excellence in performance and music literacy in a relaxed, fun, and safe environment.

Linda Hawkins has been associated with the Georgian Bay Children’s Choir since Sept. 1990 both as accompanist and conductor and was also a GBCC choir parent for nearly a decade.  In 2001 she assumed conducting responsibility of all choirs’ within the GBCC program.  She is a member of ORMTA and volunteers with numerous community groups. Linda has received her music training through the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. Linda’s outstanding dedication to GBCC for many years is acknowledged with great admiration and appreciation.

A native of Bruce County, Reanne Dixon (Kruisselbrink) is an award winning violinist and pianist. She graduated with high distinction from both the University of Ottawa, where she holds a Masters Degree in violin performance and Wilfrid Laurier University where she obtained a Bachelor of Music also in violin performance. Additionally, she has completed the performance and theoretical requirements for her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) in piano performance. 

Currently active as a solo and collaborative performing artist, Reanne has participated in music academies and festivals across Canada where she had the opportunity to study with renowned violinists and educators such as Mayumi Seiler, Federico Agostini, Michael Frischenschlager and Mark Fewer to name a few. Former teachers include Yehonatan Berick, Jerzy Kaplanek, Praise Lam and Arlene MacNay.

In her capacity as an educator, Reanne has enjoyed over a decade of teaching experience both privately and at the university level. Her students have been prize winners at festivals, and have won first place at the OMFA provincial competition. Her students have also achieved first class honors with distinction on Royal Conservatory practical and theoretical exams. She maintains an active teaching schedule, operating a large music studio in the Grey Bruce community. For music lesson inquiries please contact rjkmusicstudio@gmail.com.

Dr. Regan MacNay completed her doctorate in choral conducting at the University of Kentucky and her Masters in choral conducting at California State University, Long Beach. She was the Director of Choral Activities at a small liberal arts university in Lexington, KY for five years during which time she sang with the semi-professional Kentucky Bach Choir. In 2023, she presented an interest session called “How Canadian Female Composers Address Belonging in Treble Repertoire” at National ACDA in Cincinnati, OH. After a decade away, Regan is thrilled to be returning to the Georgian Bay Children’s Choir for the spring season.