Susan Quinn (she/her) is from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she is the Artistic Director of the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble (QVE). For nearly 30 years she taught music and led the award-winning choirs at Holy Heart of Mary High School, followed by 10 years as Choral Director at St. Bonaventure’s College; currently, she directs music at Divine Mercy Parish in St. John’s. Susan received her early musical education from the Sisters of Mercy and was once herself a student at Holy Heart, where her musical experiences included singing in the choir and playing in the school orchestra. She has degrees in Music and Music Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland, with a major in violin, and a Master's degree in choral conducting from the University of Maine, and has studied conducting under artists such as Wayne Riddell, Robert Cooper, James Croft, John Haberlen and Dennis Cox. She has presented and published with the Canadian Music Educators Association as a recognized expert in choral intonation, and has been active across Canada as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor, and locally as a Suzuki violin instructor and vocal coach in musical theatre. Susan is a recipient of the Award for Teaching Excellence from the Prime Minister of Canada, and the Memorial University Arts in Education Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Her choirs have received numerous national awards and honours at international competitions in Ireland, Wales, Austria, and France, and recorded six albums.​​

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Photo Credit: Sara Rostotski