Janice Alcorn, New Glasgow born and raised, has had a full musical life. Her early career was mainly focused on classical vocal performance. She was the recipient of both the New Glasgow and Halifax Rose bowl awards for top overall performer after completing her BA Music degree from St.F.X.

She branched out in many musical settings to excel in classical, gospel, jazz, RnB and traditional Maritime genres of music. The Chairman of the St.F.X. music program gave her the title “Chameleon” for her ability to cover so many styles so well.

Janice has performed as featured soloist on Handel’s “The Messiah,” Rutter’s “Gloria” and other choral works. She has vast experience in musical theatre as a performer in shows including Mikado, Oklahoma, Godspell, and the role of Maria in West Side story. She has also been musical director in over 20 Broadway style musicals.

She has been featured soloist with the John Alphonse Big Band, Dave James Big Band, Acadia Faculty Big Band, Hub town Big Band, and the Ghost Rider Blues Band. She has led many of her own jazz small groups and has performed with a wide array of Maritime artists. Janice is also an active church soloist.

As an educator and choir director, Janice has had a very colorful 35-year career. She has directed church choirs, provincial youth choirs, NS Honour Jazz choirs, Community choirs and her own elementary, junior and senior high concert and jazz choirs. Many of these groups have earned, local, provincial, and even National recognition for their stellar performances. Her private voice studio has also produced many successful performers of all ages. Janice is the recipient of the “Excellence in Teaching” award and the NSMEA “Lifetime Achievement” award.

Janice is a sought-after adjudicator, clinician, and performer. Her encouraging and uplifting style of teaching has fostered many music lovers and performers over the years. Since retiring, Janice continues to enjoy performing, coaching, accompanying, gardening and other outdoor activities. Her happiest times are spent with her ever expanding family (the next generation!)

-Bio courtesy of Atlantic Festivals of Music, 2024

Ryan Billington is a versatile vocalist, director, arranger, composer and improviser. Since 2004, Ryan has taught private voice, choral & vocal jazz ensembles, vocal improvisation, and other classes in the music department of St. Francis Xavier University including Songwriters and Their Songs, and Songwriting Workshop. Prior to his appointment at StFX, Ryan preformed as a professional choral singer in Toronto and completed a Master of Music in Voice/Jazz at Western Michigan University in 2002.

Ryan has performed across Atlantic Canada in jazz, oratorio, musical theatre and choral settings. His main areas of interest are jazz/pop vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, choral ensemble direction and arranging for small vocal ensemble settings. In 2011, his student vocal ensemble EXTRA from StFX was featured nationally on CBC Radio 2 Choral Concert, with host Peter Togni.

Recent original compositions of Ryan’s include “Atacama, Gateway to the Stars” written for Toronto mezzo-soprano Ali Garrison and piano (2015), and original music for plays by American playwright Sarah Ruhl – Eurydice (Theatre Antigonish 2017), and Stage Kiss (Festival Antigonish 2017).
Ryan continues to serve as Artistic Director and Conductor for the Cape Breton Chorale in Sydney, NS.

Emily McPherson, previously accompanist for ACE, stepped in to be artistic director for one year as Ryan took a sabbatical from St FX University. After this she moved onto Kingston, Ontario where she is now an instructor with the Cantabile Choirs of Kingston.