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Christmas From the Heart |
Dad, this CD is dedicated in
your memory – love you lots.
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Denise's New Christmas CD
CD Details
To all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with
in making this CD. I greatly appreciate your talents and your friendship.
To the musicians, Steve Holowitz, Jeff Christmas and Mitch Tyler, there’s
nothing like working with your friends. Steve, much thanks for all your
prep time. Rob Larose, I love your contribution on Little Drummer Boy.
Sharon Kahan, thank you for your beautiful sound on Away in a Manger.
Liz Akano, thank you so much for your African influence and the lyrics:
“Amutara-anyi onye nzoputa” – A saviour has been born to us, “Ekere
esimesi oma” – Happy Christmas, “Obioma” – Joy.
 To my precious granddaughter Tayla, I am so very proud of you.
You are blessed with many talents and I thank you for sharing.
Thanks to St. James Westminster Church for the use of the piano.
Lynn Blumas, a big thanks for the photo session.
Big hugs to you all.
Denise
Contact Us to purchase Christmas from the Heart |
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Trinidad 2007 |
Trinidad Gallery  |
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 If anyone asks me what I did on my summer holidays, July 2007 , I will be happy to share with them about my trip to beautiful Trinidad. July 29th of this year I left for much anticipated adventure. Arnim Hughes, a Trinidadian now living in Canada had invited me to Trinidad to perform at a jazz event his company, Slipway Productions was producing. As my pianist Stephen Holowitz and I rehearsed for our performance, we thought it would be wonderful to also perform at a school or a church. Arnim agreed and arranged for us to also do performances for an orphange and for inmates at the prison. In total we had four performances.
The first one was for the St. Mary's Children's Home, orphans who ranged in age of 6 - 16 years old. We greeted the children at a downtown church and sang songs for them.
I invited them to sing us a favourite song of theirs. St Mary's was celebrating their 150th anniversary. While I was thankful St. Mary's Home provided care and education for the children, I was also saddened that these children had no parents or family members who could care for them. One little boy wandered up to the front and stood beside me for part of the performance. I don't know if it was because of the music or maybe he wanted an extra hug.
Our second and third performances took place at the Central Bank Auditorium. We were in awe of the beauty of the room, the lushious sounding Steinway grand piano, the sound system and most importantly, the people who worked there making us feel so welcome. Saturday evening we shared the stage with the charismatic and talented Ken "Professor" Philmore & Friends. Sunday's performance opened with the introspective and moving performance of Elan Parle. Both of these Trindadian bands were immensely enjoyed. On both nights for the second half of the concert Stephen and I performaned a set of some of our favourite songs showcasing jazz throughout the years.
 The last performance and I must say, my most memorable was at the prison. As we walked into the chapel where our performance would be held, I saw approximately 100 men, young and old sitting theatre style listening to a band already playing. The band was made up of inmates and guards. When they finished we did our set of gospel and jazz songs. The audience was very receptive, some singing along. As I looked out while singing I couldn't help but feel for these men who because of the wrong choices they made, their lives were forever changed. For our last song we invited the band of inmates and guards to join us for Bob Marley's "One Love", the perfect song to end with. Everyone sang.
For the children of St. Mary's Home, for the inmates of the prison and for the audiences at the Central Bank Auditorium, I hoped that they enjoyed our music and much as we enjoyed sharing it with them.
I loved my trip to Trinidad, meeting people, enjoying the beautiful scenery of mountains, flowers, and my favourite poi tree and sharing my love of music.
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Passion For Sudan
The "Passion for Sudan" team consists of Kim Spriet, Denise Pelley, Lynn Blumas, Samira El-Hindi, Anna Pacifico, Nicole Spriet and Lucy Oglretree.
These seven successful London, Ontario businesswomen have chosen to connect with women entrepreneurs half a world away in Sudan in a way that would empower Sudanese women. The Canadian women recently treked to Sudan.
More Details Click Here
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Denise Honoured
With Paul Harris Fellowship Award
Rotary Club of London Hyde Park's
President's Tribute Dinner
It's tough to surprise someone when she already knows she is being honoured. Denise Pelley was the main attraction at the fourth annual Rotary Club of London Hyde Park's president's tribute dinner. There was no secret that everyone was gathered to recognize her contribution to the community
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 The surprise came at the end of the tribute when Denise's Mother, Rossie VanGuyze, Barbara Robins, Rotary Hyde Park foundation chairperson, Dennis Dinsmore, the Rotary district governor from Michigan, and club president Richard Bain, a professional photographer, presented Pelley with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Rotary's highest honour.
From left to right....Denise, sisters Kathy and Gwen Pelley,
Aunt Lorrie Anderson, Mother Rossie Vanguyze |
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As club president, Bain didn't hesitate for a second to recommend Pelley as the president's dinner honouree. A number of Rotarians, family and friends were at West Haven Golf and Country Club for the festivities, including Richard's wife, Joan Bain of RBC Financial Group.
Karl Lindsay of RBC Financial Group and Alice Smibert of the UPS Store co-chaired the event.
Picture right
Denise receiving the medal of honour from Dennis Dinsmore, the Rotary district governor from Michigan, Richard Bain, Barbara Robins
 Bill Brady and Louise Fagan
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 Also on the guest list were: Hector Morrison, director of finance for the John Labatt Centre and his wife, teacher Wilma Morrison; Steve Teske of Van Horik's Greenhouses and his wife, Joanne Teske, director of employee relations for Canada Post; Rick Weir of Scotiabank; Kathleen Beaufait, owner of Flowers by Martha, and chartered accountant Peter Rozuluk and Sharon Rozuluk, a music teacher and Louise Fagan, Louise Fagan Productions, who worked with Pelley as the director of Jazzabel. 
Denise with brothers Gary, George and Mark McAuley.
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By SPECIAL TO THE FREE PRESS, Denise shared her New York Trip via this Diary Click Here
New York Gallery Click Here |
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Oprah Magazine Article
 The February, 2006 Issue O, The Oprah Magazine
Includes An Article
Featuring Femme Fatale &
Portraits, a Festival of One Woman Shows
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Picture Right
Backstage snapshot from the Oprah Magazine photo shoot. Members of the Femme Fatale Company. back row: Nicole Tushingham (Stage Manager), Louise Fagan (Producer/Director), Michael Edwards (photographer), Jacquie Gauthier (Writer/Producer), Bonnie Deakin (Designer); front row: Victoria Roberts (as Nona), Molly Peacock (The Shimmering Verge), and Denise Pelley (as Grace in Jazzabel) |
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