The Sound Within

MEET THE ARTISTS

Michèle Wilmot (she/her) (BSc.hon, A.R.C.T, L.B.C.M.hon)

Michèle Wilmot was born in St. Bruno, Quebec. Michèle is most dedicated to piano performance, performing across North America in British Columbia, Ontario and in New York City for the Beethoven Sonata marathon in celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Michèle has studied with Gertrude Lavoie, Carol Ditner-Wilson, Boyd McDonald and currently with Koichi Inoue. Most recently Michèle’s piano and organ solo music has been featured in three of Stephen W. Young’s local films of Dickson and Bruce: History meets Mystery.

A large part of her recent year has been spent recording and researching for Hard of Hearing musicians and music enthusiasts; an initiative she calls ListenUp! Alongside her solo and collaborative concert work, she enjoys curating concerts, giving to the community, supporting many organizations, and accompanying upcoming solo artists. For her work as a concert curator and pianist, she was nominated for a Denny Award at the KW Arts Awards.

Alten Wilmot (he/they)

Alten Wilmot is a playwright, performer, producer, and multidisciplinary artist. Founder and Artistic & Executive Director of Unwrap Theatre, they have produced over 50 original works and have developed programs, productions, and mentorship opportunities for over 200 artists. They are passionate about working directly with audiences from vast demographics, including seniors, young people, and underrepresented groups. They value meaningful community connections, virtuosity, comedy, stirring creativity, and finding meaning in the unresolved.

Alten has worked across the country. They have been recognized with awards from Buddies in Bad Times, ArtworxTO, and the Waterloo Region Arts Awards, and have worked in residency with institutions like the National Ballet of Canada, Obsidian Theatre, and MT Space. Their work has been presented by companies like the CBC, Harbourfront Centre, Guelph Dance, and more.

Athena Katinas (they/she/he)

Athena is a future Hearing Instrument Specialist graduating from Conestoga College, and is completing a student placement at the Ear and Hearing Clinic. They also hold a Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University specializing in community music. Athena is passionate about enhancing agency in others whether it be through patient-centred hearing care or equitable access to the arts.

Caleb Khuu

Caleb Khuu is a dynamic and versatile multi-instrumentalist based in the Kitchener–Waterloo region. A first-call session musician and sideman for over a dozen artists, he has performed to audiences of 3000+ and made more than 100 appearances in the past year alone. His work spans genres including pop, funk, hip hop, alternative rock, folk, country, and jazz. He shares his passion as a jazz guitar instructor at the University of Guelph and through his private teaching studio, mentoring the next generation of musicians. He is proud to be an endorsed artist with D’Addario.

Marcel van Helden

Praised for his stage presence and voice, Marcel van Helden brings depth and vocal brilliance to repertoire spanning opera and oratorio. Roles include Rodolfo in La Bohème, Peter Quint and the Prologue in The Turn of the Screw, and Idomeneo. A soloist in southern Ontario, he has performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, and Bach’s St John Passion as Evangelist. Marcel holds a Master’s degree and Artist Diploma from Western University, an undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Waterloo, and works at the University of Guelph’s NMR Centre. He chairs the board of Grand River Opera.

Bruce Gremo

Flutist Bruce Gremo has expansive international experience in music composition, performance and education.  A music graduate of Laurier and U. of Victoria, he was based in NYC from 1986-2006, where he and worked freelance in the classical and experimental scenes. From 2006-2022 he was based in Beijing, where he was a symphony orchestra principal flutist and soloist, classical chamber musician, computer music composer and music educator. He relocated to Kitchener-Waterloo in 2022, teaches at Laurier, and gets busier and busier performing composing and curating.

Kenzie Spoltore

Kenzie Spoltore – Grand River Opera Biography Kenzie Spoltore is a mezzo-soprano from Kitchener-Waterloo and a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University. Recent credits include Idamante in /domeneo (Grand River Opera), second soprano soloist in Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit (Grand River Chorus), and Ruth in Pirates of Penzance (Grand River Chorus). She has performed in the choruses of Carmen (Brott Opera) and La Traviata (Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony) and sings with the Eternal Voices Choir. Additional roles include Rossweisse (Die Walküre), Erste Dame (Die Zauberflöte), and Little Red Riding Hood (Into the Woods).

Stefan Wasowicz

B.Eng., M.Cl.Sc., Reg. CASLPO – Audiologist

Stefan Wasowicz received a Bachelor of Engineering with honours from the University of Guelph in 2011, majoring in Environmental Engineering. He then became licensed as a Professional Acoustical Engineer in 2016. Stefan completed a Master of Clinical Science Degree from Western University in 2019.  As an accomplished violinist, and avid birder, Stefan is keenly interested in the human experience of sound. Primarily working out of our Elmira and Kitchener clinics, Stefan is committed to a career built on exceptional service and state-of-the-art clinical practice.

Andy Macpherson

Andy Macpherson is a percussionist, visual artist, and mathematician who has been playing vibraphone, drums and percussion for almost five decades. He is leader of the New Vibes Jazz Quintet, based in Waterloo Region. He has worked in many large and small ensemble settings, spanning Latin, classical, rock, and jazz. His studies at Humber College under the tutelage of Canadian jazz giants Ron Collier and Pat Labarbara in the late 80’s were very formative. He continues to make music with many of the region’s finest musicians including Jerzy Kaplanek, Tim Moher, Jim Edwards, John Zadro, Stephen Preece, Larry larson, and Andriy Tychonov. A highlight for Andy was several performances with Canadian jazz icon Don Thompson. Besides the NVJQ, which he co-founded, he currently plays with Kitchener Waterloo’s Big Band Theory that has released three recordings to critical acclaim, in the past 10 years.

Andy retired in 2019 from teaching mathematics at St. Mary’s High School, Kitchener where he also directed the SMH Hypercussion Ensemble. He now teaches percussion for the School of Fine Art and Music at The University of Guelph.  As curator of Jazz at The Registry Theatre, he produces several jazz shows annually, including the inaugural 2025 Big Band Weekend this year in May. Andy focuses on being active, creative, and contributing to his community, sharing his many passions.

Roland Kessler

Roland Kessler is a German-Canadian baritone who grew up immersed in the arts, raised by professional ballroom dancers. After establishing a career in tech, a chance encounter drew him back to the stage. He completed his opera studies at Wilfrid Laurier University as a student of Kimberly Barber, concluding his time with Opera Laurier in the title role of Le nozze di Figaro. An upcoming recital of his explores memory and song through the lens of dementia and will benefit groundbreaking research in this field. Offstage, Roland enjoys volleyball, motorsports, clawhammer banjo, and is active in community arts and collaborative creative work.

Isy Aboagye

Isy Aboagye is an emerging blues and soul artist known for her powerful voice and heartfelt performances. She gained recognition after winning the 2025 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search, marking her as a standout talent on the local scene. Blending classic blues influences with modern soul, Isy creates an authentic, captivating sound that resonates with audiences and continues to set her apart as a rising artist.

Carol Ditner-Wilson

Carol Ditner-Wilson is an ethnomusicologist, pianist, and the organist at St. James church in St Jacobs,  Ontario. She holds an administrative role as CFMTA National Canada Music Week Chair and is a member of the contract faculty of Bishop’s University. Carol is a long time collaborator with Michèle Wilmot – together they explore the four-hand piano repertoire.

Danielle Aprile (she/her)

Danielle Aprile is a soprano based in Kitchener, with a BMus in Vocal Performance and a Diploma in Opera from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she studied with Kimberly Barber and Jennie Such. Notable roles include Gretel in Hansel and Gretel (Grand River Opera), Flora in The Turn of the Screw (Grand River Opera), Bon in Borderless (Opera Laurier), and Anne in Singing Only Softly (Opera Laurier). Aprile has also performed Gerhilde in a concert version of Die Walküre (Grand River Opera), and excerpts as Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier (Grand River Opera), Despina in Così fan tutte (Opera Laurier), and Soeur Constance in Les dialogues des Carmélites (Opera Laurier). She currently serves as Secretary of the Grand River Opera board of directors.

Stay tuned for the announcement of an exciting lineup of featured artists!