K’JIUPUKTUK/HALIFAX, NS – Debut Atlantic is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to the Board of Directors. The Board provides leadership for carrying out Debut Atlantic’s mission to support and facilitate access to innovative, diverse classical and global music performances by Canadian artists through concerts, education, and outreach across Atlantic Canada.

Anna Mercer is a 22-year-old bilingual soprano from Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2023, she completed her Bachelor of Music with a Minor in French at Memorial University of Newfoundland. During her undergraduate studies, Anna worked for Community Music Literacy in Coastal Labrador where she taught piano and music theory to musicians on the coast of Labrador. In 2023, Anna was named a 3M national student fellow, a prestigious fellowship for students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation. Much of Anna’s musical activities are in the choral community as both a singer and conductor. In 2019, Anna was the first vocalist awarded the Debut Atlantic Award for Music Excellence. Additionally, Anna received the Kiwanis Music Festival Rose Bowl awards in 2015, 2017, and 2018, and competed in the National Music Festival in Sackville, NB. Anna is a Bachelor of Music Education program student at Memorial University and plans to graduate in 2024.

Julie Hereish grew up in Montreal and studied the cello in her hometown before moving to Vienna, Austria. In the Fall of 2019, she became the Assistant Principal Cello of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, a position she had held previously in the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. Julie is a cofounder and member of the High Level Trio, the New Cohort, and the Garneau String Quartet. Currently, the GSQ is the quartet in residence of the MacEwan University’s Conservatory of Music, in Edmonton, where it runs the Chamber Music Academy program for pre-college and university students. Julie’s love for chamber music has brought her on tour with Les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada and Debut Atlantic. She has also been invited to perform in various festivals across Canada, such as Music By The Sea, Rosebud Chamber Music Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, and Festival Bach de Montréal.

Stacey Thomas is an owner at Bright Line CPA. Stacey has a diverse background consisting of assurance, financial reporting, tax compliance, risk management, and corporate finance. Stacey has worked with mainly small business organizations ranging from startups to Non-profit Organizations. Her specialties include financial reporting standards, assurance (financial statement audits, reviews, special reports), notice to reader financial statements, tax compliance, and budgeting & financial modeling.

Please help us welcome Anna Mercer, Julie Hereish, and Stacey Thomas!

We are also delighted and grateful to have Darcy Campbell and Stacey Thomas step into new positions on our Executive Committee. Darcy will serve as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, and Stacey Thomas will serve as the new Treasurer.

Debut Atlantic also bids farewell to two extraordinary Board member, Akiko Tominaga and Michelle Wood. Akiko has been a guiding light for Debut, starting as a touring artist before becoming a member of our Board of Directors and later stepping into the role of Chair. Her extensive experience and passion for classical music were invaluable to Debut Atlantic. Michelle served as Treasurer for five years and gave the organization both stability and dedication throughout her time on the Board.

We extend our most sincere thanks to Akiko and Michelle, and will never forget their guidance, work, and insight into further developing our organization. Thank you!

For more information on Debut Atlantic’s Board of Directors, please visit www.debutatlantic.ca/about-us/board-administration.