Conductor – Dee Lawrence
Dee was the conductor of the former YRDSB Staff Singers from 1989- 1994 and took on that role again in 2007-2008. She earned Hons. B. Music and B.Ed. degrees from the University of Western Ont. where she studied choral conducting with the esteemed Deral Johnson. Dee completed a graduate diploma in Fine Arts specializing in the Kodaly Method of Music Education from The University of Calgary, and a Master of Sacred Music Degree at Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto.
Dee retired in June 2015 after 29 years of teaching with the YRDSB, and began her tenure as conductor with the newly formed Encore! Chorus in September of that year. Dee worked as the Administrator for the Newmarket Lions’ Music Festival from 2019 – 2021, and served as an executive member of the Southern Ontario Chapter of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada from 2016-2022. Dee recently finished a seven year term as a Director on the Board of the Georgina Historical Society, and a four year term as a Director on the Board of the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture. She continues to be active in her community as the Chair of the Leadership Team at Knox United Church in Sutton and is involved in Shining Waters Regional Council of the United Church of Canada.
Accompanist – Greg Vandikas
Greg has recently completed his Master of Music in Performance Piano degree at
the Université de Montréal, after earning his undergraduate degree in Performance Piano at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. Throughout his studies at both institutions, Greg has been deeply committed to ensemble work, collaborating extensively with fellow musicians in chamber music settings and other projects.
He has achieved his Associate Diploma and Licentiate Diploma, earning First-class honours with Distinction and a national gold medal. Greg has participated in numerous prestigious events and festivals in the Netherlands and Quebec. His competition successes include winning the Crescendo International Piano Competition, which led to a memorable performance at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, and first place finishes at both the International Music Competition and Festival in Markham and the GOCAA International Piano Competition in Boston.
As part of his piano duo, Duo con Fuoco, he also secured first place at the CMC National Finals, and made his concerto debut with the Kindred Spirit Orchestra. In 2022, Greg performed with the McGill Symphony Orchestra after winning the Schulich School of Music Romantic Concerto competition. Most recently, in 2024, he placed second in the Université de Montréal concerto competition, which awarded him the opportunity to perform with l’Orchestre de l’Université de Montréal and present a solo recital.
Greg is the son of our previous accompanist, Mr. George Vandikas, who is taking a well-deserved one year sabbatical.
Welcome, Greg!
Encore! Choir 