Val hails from London, Ontario, and has worked as a session singer and lead singer/pianist/guitarist in various bands in Ontario and Alberta.

Val has been a soloist with various orchestras, made several appearances on CBC TV, and recorded with Tommy Banks in Edmonton.

Val is a 30-year member of the Calgary Opera chorus and is also a songwriter and vocal arranger.

Her two career highlights: being a singing Muppeteer in a movie, and getting to sing Christmas carols at a private house party in Toronto, accompanied by Oscar Peterson.

Val has been actively singing in a capella Christmas quartets in Calgary, since 1988 and before that in Ontario.

Many of our arrangements are credited to her.

Marina Theron-Monnery began performing publicly at the age of five in her native South Africa and has been singing ever since. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music, and her musical background includes performing opera with PACOFS and PACT in South Africa. After immigrating to Canada in 2000, she became a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus.

Over the years, Marina’s musical journey has taken her from opera and classical music to big band, jazz, and close-harmony singing. Since 2016, she has performed as lead vocalist with Sentimental Journey Big Band in Calgary and has also appeared as a guest vocalist with Prime Time Big Band.

Marina has been part of Calgary’s Christmas caroling tradition since 2010. Although naturally a soprano, her love of harmony led her to sing alto — a role she continues to enjoy with Festive Voices.

In 2018, Marina and Valerie Hudson established Festive Voices, bringing together their musical experience and a shared love of Christmas caroling, beautiful four-part harmony, and creating memorable experiences for audiences throughout Calgary.

Beyond music, Marina is also a published author, speaker and podcast host, reflecting her lifelong love of storytelling and connecting with people.

As co-owner of Festive Voices, Marina brings both her musical and business experience to the group and plays an active role in coordinating its singers, performances, and continued growth.