The Celebration House Band consists of clarinetist Cédric Blary, pianist Mark Limacher and bassist Jason Valleau who share a deep love of swing music and traditional jazz.   

Jason Valleau is a musical powerhouse who can settle into the coziest of grooves or whip a band into a frenzy. A co-founder of the Polyjesters, he’s done it all from the Calgary Stampede’s Grandstand Show to Florida’s Epcot Center, from the UK to Japan.   

Mark Limacher is a composer, improviser, arranger, and genre-crossing pianist who listens as hard as he plays. He appears regularly with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Theatre Calgary and has performed with leading artists including the Juno Award winning singer Caity Gyorgy.  

Cédric Blary is a versatile clarinetist and multi-instrumentalist who is active in the classical, jazz and folk music scenes. Since 1998, he has been the deep voice in The Heebee-jeebees

Wild Mint Arts is a Two-Spirit run Indigenous company based out of Cochrane AB. Elijah Wells is Blackfoot from Kainai and Jessica McMann is Cree from Cowessess. Together they create a variety of performances spanning from theatre for young audiences to contemporary works. Indigenous Dance Studio was formed in 2008 and rebranded as Wild Mint Arts in 2019. In addition to performances, they run workshops, classes, and curate in a multitude of mediums. Since 2008 they have worked in hundreds of schools and performed at Vancouver International Children’s Festival (2018) and St. Alberts Children Festival (2019). Wild Mint Arts also works extensively in the Kootenai region of BC, recently working with Shuswap Band with dance and art workshops. Wild Mint Arts is funded operationally by Calgary Arts Development and has received many grants to support their ongoing artistic creations. They also provide artist consulting and have provided services to companies such as Rafael Viñoly Architects.  

Leah Kind is a Chestermere-based Poet and Visual Artist who is currently attending Alberta University of The Arts. Her Poetry primarily focuses on Mental Wellness, and Human Conditions. In her writing, she strives to create an understanding between all peoples, highlighting the needed comprehension of individual struggles.  Leah draws on her own personal experiences, as well as the people around her to capture moments of genuine human connection and give description to intricate emotions. She is currently working on multi-disciplinary arts projects, bringing her visual artistry and Poetry together.   

Founded by Ishita Singla in 2016, Madhuban Performing Arts is a vibrant cultural hub in Calgary dedicated to South Asian art forms. It offers a platform for professional and semi-professional musicians, dancers, and actors to showcase their talents, enriching Calgary’s art scene. Madhuban’s philanthropic spirit has touched 75+ non-profit organizations through authentic dance and musical performances. A recent milestone was their debut production called Jeevan at The Grand, featuring 40 exceptional performers and earning a standing ovation.   
   
Madhuban’s magnetic performances also graced Chinook Blast, attracting enthusiastic audiences. Notably, their talent was spotlighted in the Netflix feature film Khufiya, filmed in Calgary. Madhuban Performing Arts continues to illuminate Calgary’s artistic landscape, fusing creativity, community, and cultural celebration with every step of their remarkable journey.    

Three incredible groups, The Young Canadians, Revv52 and Mount Royal Kantorei, come together creating a massive choir to perform “Up Where We Belong,” a powerful song about love and overcoming obstacles in life.

The Young Canadians, a cherished institution since their debut in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show in 1968, bring youthful vigor and talent to the stage. More than just a performance group, they also empower young individuals through the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, fostering artistic and personal growth. With over 100 dedicated youth aged 8-21, this dynamic program offers training in dance, voice, and performance, shaping confident and empowered performers. The Young Canadians have a rich legacy, with alumni who have become leaders in the entertainment industry and their communities, showcasing the program’s impact over more than 50 years. 

Mount Royal Kantorei, a choral ensemble from MRU Conservatory, adds a touch of sophistication to this artistic fusion. Comprising 90 talented members from diverse backgrounds, Kantorei offers a diverse and innovative choral experience. Their repertoire spans classical, contemporary, and Canadian music, with a commitment to musical excellence. Kantorei’s collaborations and performances with other renowned groups and orchestras have earned them recognition and acclaim, both locally and internationally, including invitations to prestigious competitions and festivals. 

Revv52, a dynamic Calgary-based performance ensemble, infuses energy and innovation into the mix. With a mission to expand the boundaries of choral music, Revv52 showcases quality and innovative musical experiences. Boasting over 50 singers from various walks of life and a talented live band and crew, they create a buzz with their sold-out shows and have garnered a global community of music lovers through the Internet. Their commitment to nurturing a love for music and fostering a caring environment among members resonates deeply.

John Morgan has a passion for music education and performance and believes in bringing out the best in musicians, vocal groups and individual artists he works with by creating a working environment that fosters learning, creativity, musical development, collaboration, and fun.  John focuses on directing multi-genre vocal groups, as well as delivering full-service music direction for local artists, corporations and events through his studio, Morgan Music, in Calgary.  He is a conductor, organist, pianist, recording engineer and published composer and arranger whose work has been performed by groups across North America including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

John is the Artistic Director of Revv52, a 52 -voice auditioned pop vocal group; Artistic Director of Mount Royal Kantorei, an auditioned 90-voice mixed chorus which is part of Mount Royal University’s Conservatory; Vocal Director of the Young Canadians, a 110 member auditioned vocal and dance group made up of youth and young adults between the ages of 8-21 and is the Music Director and Organist at St. Anthony’s Church.  He also works with a variety of other musical groups and ensembles in the city.

John has provided musical direction for special events including the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Club, One Rock Music Festival, The Tenor’s “Home For the Holidays” (2018) and “The Wonder of Christmas” (2019), Dave Kelly Live “Home”, The We Day Benefit Concert,  and over 30 Young Canadians Shows.

Through his work with the Young Canadians and the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, John has had the opportunity to work with Tamara Beatty (The Voice), Scott Henderson (Earthtones and Souls in Rhythm), Dave Pierce (Producer – Michael Buble, Vancouver Olympics), Paul Brandt, Jocelyn Alice and play keys for Jann Arden.

Reuben and the Dark is the enrapturing alt folk-rock outfit led by singer-songwriter Reuben Bullock, whose music blends introspective lyrics with soaring instrumentals. Reuben and the Dark’s music has been featured in Breaking Bad, The Highwaymen, Game of Thrones, Handmaids Tale, and many more. The talented Calgary-born, Joshua Tree-based singer-songwriter, skateboarder and carpenter has released four full lengths on Arts & Crafts and toured the world.  Joining him tonight… The Bullhorn Singers from Kainai Nation.   

The Heebee-jeebees™ are an internationally acclaimed, award-winning, comic a cappella group born and raised in Calgary. Celebrating 30 years together in 2023, they have released eight CDs and have won three international CARA awards – the Grammys of a cappella. The Heebee-jeebees have sung thousands of live performances and have appeared on local, national and international radio and television. The group has a reputation for being hilarious, entertaining and extremely talented. You can find their studio recordings on iTunes & Spotify. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook or at heebee-jeebees.com  They are the most FUN you’ve ever heard!    

Klave Band has been playing in and around Calgary since 2013, inspiring audiences with their high-energy performances. Their most recent performances include Expolatino and Salsa on the Street presented by Calgary’s Hispanic Arts Society, the Brightside Festival, yearly appearances at Lethbridge Latin Fest and the Alzheimer Society of Calgary’s annual Run and Walk, as well as regular appearances at the Asylum for Art, where their tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club is a regular sell-out. Klave is very happy to be a part of tonight’s celebration. Tonight’s band includes Jorge Chaviano on guitar and vocals, Raul Gomez Tabera and Orlando Retana on percussion, Tricia Edwards on keys, Mario Ochoa on bass and Stephen Williams on saxophone.

Mara Esnard 

Rooted in Cuba, Mara is an educator, dancer, and choreographer. She graduated from the National Ballet School in Havana, Cuba. Mara started her professional career teaching at the Instructors Arts School in her hometown while simultaneously performing with Sol Dance Company. Mara has been an active member of the Arts community in Calgary since 2015. She has spread her love of dance teaching in various studios and schools across the city and with her personal coaching. Through her time in YYC she has participated in a diversity of festivals, performances, and collaborative works. 

A gentle and vibrant jazz seed was planted in Mara once she joined Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’s Professional Training Program. Her passion and curiosity for jazz dance and music led her to immerse herself into the program for two seasons and her continued dedication granted Mara a position as DJD company member. 

Ingrid Díaz 

Born and raised in Cuba, Ingrid is a graduate of the Cuban National School of Art (BFA Modern, Contemporary and Afro-Cuban Dance) and the National Institute of Art (MA Afro-Cuban Dance). 

Ingrid is also a graduate of the School of Ballet Creole in Toronto and Calgary’s very own Decidedly Jazz Danceworks ’Professional Training Program. 

Her professional career began in 2002 and includes companies such as the National Afro-Cuban Dance Company, Ballet Creole and Three Left Feet Movement Creations. 

Throughout her career, Ingrid also had the pleasure to collaborate and perform as a guest artist with Nafro Dance, Newton Moraes Dance Theatre, the South African Musical Umoja, COBA, Bach Tots Performing Arts and Danza Corpus among other companies and independent choreographers. 

With over twenty years of professional experience as a choreographer, performer and educator, Ingrid continues to work with prestigious dance schools and companies both in Cuba and Canada. Since 2019, Ingrid has been a sessional instructor for The School of Creative and Performing Arts of the University of Calgary, and is currently Dance School Principal and Director of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program. 

Shae McLean

Shae McLean is a professional dancer and established dance teacher. She completed the Edge School for Athletes dance program, the Intensive Training Program at Harbour Dance Centre and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program before immersing herself in the Latin culture while researching traditional and popular dances in Cuba and Colombia. 

Shae collaborated as co-director of Illustrative Society, a performing arts collective where she taught community classes, led company workshops and created contemporary choreography for the 2018 production of Transcend. Since then, Shae continues to explore her choreographic and interpretative style in various personal and group projects in Canada and abroad. 

Dayana Valle

Dayana Valle is a professional dancer from Cuba. She began formal rhythmic gymnastics training at the age of 7 and transferred to dance three years later, completing her education in the Vocational School of Art Alfonso Perez Isaac. 

During her time in Cuba, Dayana also participated in national dance competitions where she obtained various awards and diplomas. In 2014, Dayana moved to China to work as professional dancer for several companies and projects around the country. Her artistic experience includes work in theatre companies, recreational parks, gallery exhibitions, variety shows for all ages and much more.