VOICE INSTRUCTOR

Karis Wiebe Studios is excited to have Ms. Paulina Gonzalez on the team instructing voice lessons. Ms. Gonzalez is an especially experienced, committed, and positive teacher believing in the magical power music brings people together. She is truly an outstanding talent and is exceptionally versatile in her teaching style. Paulina encourages her students to practice in a manner of self-discovery and exploration. Ms. Gonzalez inspires her students through singing to pursue their bliss and encourages them to discover their true artistic development.

Paulina completed her Master’s in Vocal Performance under the tutelage of Tracy Dahl at the University of Manitoba. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from the University of Sonora in Mexico and has sung as an accomplished soloist for over 14 years on the international stage. Paulina has over 10 years of professional teaching experience.

Ms. Gonzalez has performed as a soloist in Lost Voices and has sung the role of La Paix in the Baroque opera Les Arts Florissants . She has sung the soprano roles in the chamber opera Esilena and in Handel’s opera Rodrigo. She has performed Papagena in Mozart;s The Magic Flute with The Little Opera Company as well as Pollux in Caster Polla with the Manitoba Underground Opera.

Paulina is also an award-winning sensation here in Manitoba. In 2022, Ms. Gonzalez was the winner of the Herbert & Audrey Belyea Trophy of the Winnipeg Music Festival, the Holtby Scholarship of the Women’s Music Club Scholarship Competition, and the video production award from the Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation for Young Canadian Opera Singers.

Paulina Gonzalez’ Mexican heritage fuels her passion, and the power of music makes her dig deep, harnessing her positive energy, and casting it forth to gather us under its spell. Personal relationships are important to her, and she firmly believes in the remarkable power music has in bringing people together.

Paulina is delighted to teach and create music with the students of Karis Wiebe Studios.

“I am truly grateful, honoured and delighted to work with the students of Karis Wiebe Studios. I look forward to helping them pursue happiness and their artistic development,” ~ Paulina

Karis Wiebe Studios is thrilled to have Mr. Paul Forget on board instructing voice lessons at the studios. Mr. Forget is a multitalented and versatile teacher who is equally well-versed in teaching opera, musical theatre, and composition as well as stage and screen acting. His dedication to musical excellence sets him apart from his peers.

Paul is a devoted and experienced teacher who can adapt to a wide range of learners, including those of varying abilities as well as multi aged singers, from grade school to the mature student. He considers teaching and sharing his love of music to be not only an honour but also a privilege which is demonstrated in his warm and personable demeanour.

Mr. Forget is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, holding a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Vocal Studies. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies from the Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, MB.

Paul has appeared in various productions with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Opera and the Manitoba Underground Opera. In addition, Mr. Forget has appeared in various Hallmark movies, both as a supporting actor as well as a singer. He is currently an active member of the nationally acclaimed Winnipeg Singers.

Paul looks forward to making music with the students of Karis Wiebe Studios with great anticipation.

“I am truly delighted to share my passion of singing and making music with the students of Karis Wiebe Studios,” ~ Paul

Karis Wiebe Studios is excited to have Ms. Alyssa Hildebrand instructing voice and piano lessons at the studios. Trained as an opera singer, Ms. Hildebrand is equally proficient at teaching classical, folk, pop, and musical theatre styles. She concentrates on vocal health, song interpretation, vocal diction, and performance anxiety.

Ms. Hildebrand has a deep passion for music and enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities. She is enthusiastic about helping anyone who wants to learn more about their voice and has the exceptional ability to instill confidence in her students, teaching them to perform to their optimal ability.

Alyssa holds a Master of Music degree from Western University, London ON. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Canadian Mennonite University with a concentration in Vocal Performance.   

Alyssa Hildebrand has taught voice lessons at the Providence University College in Otterburne, MB, and together with the Douglas Kuhl School of Music, recently established a high school musical theatre ensemble (DKSM Ensemble) in Winkler, MB.

Alyssa regularly leads workshops, masterclasses and adjudicates at various music festivals throughout Manitoba.

She has been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) since 2019 and is currently the Vice President of the NATS Manitoba Chapter.

My job is to empower students to use their own voices, to understand their instruments and nurture their artistry " ~ Alyssa 

Karis Wiebe Studios is delighted to have Josh Bellan on board teaching both voice and guitar lessons.

Josh Bellan is an active and admired singer, actor, guitarist, bass player, and music educator in the Winnipeg community. Bellan holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Manitoba in voice. As a music educator, Mr. Bellan has thoroughly enjoyed teaching voice, guitar, and bass lessons with a strong emphasis on Rock, Pop, and Music Theatre genres since 2016. 
 

Josh works with, and loves teaching students of all ages. He is not only personable, but has the ability to make his lessons fun, interesting and meaningful. Mr. Bellan also has the knowledge, skills and drive to instill confidence in each of his students. 
 

As a singer and actor, he has taken great delight in performing with many of the theatre companies in Winnipeg including Rainbow Stage, Winnipeg Studio Theatre and Dry Cold Productions. "Bellan is a likable lead…" CBC News · "Josh Bellan is in fine voice!" The Globe and Mail. Josh is excited to be performing the role of Prince Eric, in Rainbow Stage’s production of “The Little Mermaid.”

As a guitarist, Bellan has enjoyed playing as a pit musician for Walk& Talk Theatre, Rainbow Stage, and various other Winnipeg organizations and musical events.

“I really love seeing people explore music through voice and guitar, and to be able to watch them grow with confidence!” ~ Josh