2025 Adjudicators

Soprano Allison Cecilia Arends is noted for her "lyrical upper tones" and "empathetic acting" (Opera Canada), as well as voice that is "stunningly beautiful [and is] used with great sensitivity" (Hnatyshyn Foundation). Allison is a graduate of Calgary Opera's Emerging Artist Program, and holds a Master of Music from the University of Toronto Opera School and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria Voice Performance Program. Having performed across Canada, the United States, Germany, Austria, Italy, England, Israel, and China, she is an avid interpreter of opera, oratorio, and new music. Allison has performed most of the major Oratorio works with orchestras throughout Canada, and roles of note include the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor, Gilda in Rigoletto, Violetta in La Traviata, Adina in L'elisir d'amore, both Adele and Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Musetta in La Bohème, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare, and new compositions in productions with Soundstreams and Tapestry Opera. Allison toured with the Brahms Symphony Orchestra across China in a series of Viennese concerts, and was honoured to perform at Rideau Hall, as well as for International Dignitaries in Calgary and Toronto.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including the Hnatyshyn Foundation Artist's Grant, a Metropolitan Opera Encouragement Award, a B.C Arts Council Senior Award, and prizes through the Spazio Musica opera competition in Italy, the Barrie Alexander international voice competition, and the Joy in Singing art song competition in New York, among others.

In addition to her performing, Allison maintains a busy private music studio in Toronto, is frequently engaged as a clinician in master classes and choral workshops, is a voice examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music, and regularly adjudicates music festivals from coast to coast. Many of her students have gone on to study at secondary arts schools in Toronto and prestigious post-secondary programs in Canada, the U.S, and Europe, have won numerous prizes at local and provincial music festivals and competitions, and have professional careers in opera, musical theatre, and as singer-songwriters.

She lives in Toronto with her beloved husband and dog. A great lover of nature, she is an active pursuant of outdoor activities and sports.

Debbie has been a performer in musical theatre for over 35 years, as a singer, dancer and actor in shows such as Jolson (E&B Productions), A Chorus Line (Limelight Theatre), and The Producers (Mirvish, Neptune, and Stage West). She also holds a letter of standing in dance and taught for six years at Claude Watson School for the Arts.

She was assistant to the artistic director in the Skydome Opening Ceremonies and has written and produced The Judy Garland Story, Mixed Doubles, Debbie's One Woman Show, Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, and The Radio Show. Deb choreographed the half time show for the Grey Cup at Skydome and Mary Kay industrial shows. She has had the thrill of performing for Canadian troupes both overseas and in the Arctic. Deb has also done extra work in films and has performed in various television shows. Recent acting and directing credits include productions at Theatre Orangeville, Orillia Opera House, South Simcoe Theatre, Stirling Festival Theatre, and the North American Tour of Saturday Night Fever.

Margot Jewell has been immersed in music education for the last 48 years, training with many inspiring pedagogues, including Shinichi Suzuki in Matsumoto in 1985. She began her Suzuki teaching in Hamilton and then at Etobicoke Suzuki Music (Toronto) which she co-founded in 1982. Margot was honoured to serve on the boards of the Suzuki Association of Ontario and the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She became a teacher trainer for the SAA and has enjoyed working with adults in that capacity. Margot is an active festival adjudicator as well as an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music. She recently retired from teaching students in Toronto and moved with her husband to Huntsville Ontario, where they enjoy hiking, canoeing, skiing and being with grandchildren.

Wendy Potter is a Toronto based pianist and teacher. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from Western University, and a Master's Degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Michigan. Previous positions held include Lecturer in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Michigan, and Coordinator of the All-State piano program at the Interlochen Centre for the Arts. She is the recipient of the Alice B. Kern Excellence in Teaching award, as well as the U.W.O. Gold Medal.

Wendy has been an RCM Examiner since 1998, and a member of the CMFAA since 1999. She continues to enjoy traveling around North America as an adjudicator and clinician.

Encouragement and validation are at the heart of her interactions with young people. She has had the privilege of running a home-based studio in the Beaches area of the city for many years. Her commitment to clear and knowledge-based communication is inspired by her own students, and all of the hard working music educators across the continent.