Valer
ie Long (Orchestra Director and Keyboard Player)
From the early days of performing in smaller-scale musical productions with Peter and Ronalda, Valerie knew she wanted to be on board if larger-scale productions were in the future. So…here we are, over 20 years later, and Peter MacDonald Productions are an integral component of Valerie’s life, as she gets to collaborate with a superb team of friends and visionaries! Valerie’s academic background includes undergraduate degrees in Music and Music Education from Memorial University in Newfoundland. She received her Master’s of Music in Choral Music Education and a Doctorate in Philosophy (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Among her many and varied musical activities, Valerie directs and accompanies the 100-voice Holy Heart of Mary Alumnae Choir. This choir performs and travels extensively (including six European tours) and is celebrating seventeen years sharing music with audiences locally and abroad. Valerie also directs Les Ms., choir who are dedicated to bringing the love of choral singing to the community at large. Les Ms. has raised over $140,000 for the Dr. H. Bliss Cancer Care Centre through their efforts with choral concerts entitled Les Ms. and Friends Sing for Care.
A third, and very unique non-auditioned chorus, “Let’s Make a Choir”, under Valerie’s tutelage, is in its third year, providing ten weeks of SATB choral sessions, culminating in a performance on Holy Heart Alumnae Choir’s spring concert.
She has received an array of awards for her contribution to the arts: Music Educator of the Year, from the Music Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador; Founder’s Award for achievement in the arts from Holy Heart of Mary High School; Torch Bearer’s Award from World Harmony Run, a global initiative recognizing her commitment to the importance of bringing harmony into her community and into the world, and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Government of Nfld. and Labrador.
Valerie treasures her role as pit leader for PMP and has the distinct privilege of playing keyboard with terrific musicians who bring keen spirit and solid improvisational skills to every show.
Monika Behr (Communication Cordinator)
Monika has always been part of the St. John’s music community as a singer and chorister but returned to Musical Theatre through PMP’s Miracle In Stone in 2005, and has continued to perform in musicals and dramas since. Over time she became more involved in the mechanics and practical aspects behind large productions. A former laboratory instructor and High School teacher, the talents for organization and detail management that stood her well in the science classroom have been useful as she acts as Audition CoOrdinator, and Cast Communications Manager with the Production Company, as well as Assistant Stage Manager for Set Movement during those performances in which she is not on stage. There is a misconception that a scientific mind is not creative. Nothing could be further than the truth. Look around you at all the amazing things to which science applies.
Antle (Costumes)
orgaonkar (Costumes)