Summer Sounds Artist Bios
Ultimate summer vibes with Summer Sounds Live on the Street! Every Saturday, enjoy incredible live performances from local artists on 6 stages this year! 🎤✨
Matthew Brake
It was sometime around 1996. I was sitting on a hockey bench with tears in my eyes, after one of my Dad’s buddies hit me directly in the ankle with his infamous slapshot from the blue line.
It was then my Dad asked me “well what do you wanna do, Matthew?” I remember telling him with confidence. “I wanna be a Rockstar, Dad” through the tears. My Dad looked kinda puzzled, but it was that answer that changed my entire life.
We still have a ways to go with that whole “rockstar” thing, but it was the following week I was sitting in front of a guitar teacher learning my way around the neck. I have never stopped learning to this day now nearly 30 years later. My entire life has been surrounded by music, and people always asking “did you bring your guitar?!” The answer to the question these days is yes.
Offering sounds that span decades of music, from new to old, my repertoire is always expanding and adapting.
This one’s for you!
Jon Giles
Jon Giles grew up surrounded by music and Jon picked up the guitar at an early age. Rock and blues music moved his soul and after years of honing his craft he started performing to rave reviews.
He performs regularly in the Dufferin/Wellington area and now teaches at Broadway Music, the school where his father taught and where he took guitar & vocal lessons. Jon is a creative player and songwriter. Come out and enjoy some homegrown talent!
Abby Groves
Hi! I’m Abby Groves, a 17-year-old student-athlete and musician from Mono, Ontario. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and over the years I’ve enjoyed exploring a variety of instruments, including the ukulele and guitar, while developing my passion for singing.
Whether performing with family and friends or sharing music with an audience, I love the way music brings people together. I’m excited to share some of my favourite songs with you today!
Shelly Hawley-Yan
Shelly Hawley-Yan is a multi instrumentalist with eclectic musical tastes but a special love for 80’s alt/emo/pop. Appearing solo as “Dragonfly” you can expect some old and new on the guitar – but there might even be some saxophone in the mix.
When she is joined by Emma Hawley-Yan and you can certainly expect some Taylor Swift in the mix!
Heather Katz
Heather Katz has been part of the Ontario music scene for many years, performing at clubs and festivals. Known for her powerful voice, BB King said, “Her voice is very unusual, I believe the more you hear it, the more you want to.“ She has been honoured to perform with artists such as James Brown, Solomon Burke and BB King. Whether folk, R&B, blues or jazz, Heather adds her soulful voice and the song becomes her own.
As the co-owner of Broadway Music in Orangeville, Heather has become the go-to person for ukuleles in Ontario, and serves customers as far away as Yellowknife . Heather has led the Blue Skies Ukulele Orchestra for several years, as well as presenting workshops at The Midland Ukulele Festival, Harbourfront, the Royal City Ukulele Festival and The Bayfield Ukulele Festival.
Keagan & Caleb of 027
Keagan Ross and Caleb Lavictoire of 027, an alternative metal band from Orangeville, also love performing acoustic sets. The duo will play stripped-down versions of their original songs along with acoustic covers of grunge legends like Alice In Chains and Nirvana.
Greg Kowalczyk
Greg Kowalcyzk is a multi- instrumentalist, songwriter, recording artist, record producer and music teacher. His music stylings are vast and his powerful voice and infectious energy bring life to the lyrics he sings.
He is a member of several bands including the MIP Power Trio, The Supervoids & Terrible and the Horribles.
Mip
Mip performs “raw and wild” art punk built on sharp songwriting and grassroots spirit, balancing resilience, humour, and heart. Through years of relentless gigging at indie venues and remote festivals across Canada, she’s built a devoted following and earned a reputation as one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets.
Originally from Northern BC, Mip brings a small-town storyteller’s instinct to a fun, dynamic live performance.
M&M Duo
Maria and Michelle are a vocal duo that have been singing together for over 20 years, at community events and seniors residences in the Toronto area. They have performed every summer with Age of Reason their vocal quartet/band at the “On the Verandah” series in Mississauga and will be there again June 19th.
A newcomer to Orangeville, Michelle Giacometti and Maria Moore have been performing locally in at Seniors homes in Orangeville and last year at the Farmer’s market.
We specialize in 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and folk/soft rock music. Along with our vocal harmonies, we accompany ourselves with acoustic guitar, and percussion instruments. Many of our songs are well known by our audiences, our unique harmonies and blend definitely resonate with our audiences. Both seasoned and award winning Musical Theater performers, we bring energy and fun to our performances.
You can check out our Facebook page at: www.facebookcom/mmduo4u
Barry Mulcahy
Barry Mulcahy is a singer guitarist performing throughout Orangeville, Caledon, Dufferin County and beyond. A familiar face on local stages, Barry regularly entertains audiences at venues including Mono Cliffs Inn, Taphouse Craft Beer + Kitchen, Mono Centre Brewing, Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, Badlands Brewing, Willibald Farm Brewery & Distillery, Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery and the Creemore Farmers’ Market.
His repertoire spans generations and genres, featuring favourites from Simon & Garfunkel, Van Morrison, Blue Rodeo and The Tragically Hip, alongside contemporary artists such as John Mayer, Coldplay, Lewis Capaldi and Mumford & Sons. Barry also weaves original songs into his performances, creating an engaging mix of familiar classics and fresh, authentic storytelling.
Alec Rhodes
Alec Rhodes is a Tune-In Award-winning musician, educator, and Music Specialist High Skills Major graduate whose talent spans piano, guitar, and beyond. He has performed at weddings and private events, currently teaches both instruments at Aardvark, and has built an impressive online following his instrumental track Cider surpassed 60,000 streams on Spotify, and his profile has reached over 400,000 monthly listeners. A debut album is set for release next year.
But Alec’s impact goes far beyond the stage. In 2021, he began busking to raise funds for Sick Kids, collecting over $1,000 in his first year and delivering a standout performance at the Celebrate Your Awesome concert. That effort grew into Live Loud, a non-profit he founded that brings live music to hospitals, hospices, and retirement facilities, offers free lessons to families who can’t afford them, and runs workshops in local schools with a team of musicians Alec recruits and coordinates to make it all happen.
Jason Vaiakis
Jason Vaiakis is an Orangeville-based multi-instrumentalist and music educator dedicated to bringing high-energy, soulful performances to the local community. With years of experience as a piano and guitar instructor, and recently joining the team at Aardvark Music, Jason blends technical expertise with a genuine passion for connecting with others.
Jason’s sets are a dynamic journey through Jazz standards, Classic Rock, Blues, Latin Music, Flamenco, oldies, and pop music featuring everything from intricate instrumental progressions to the timeless anthems everyone knows and loves. When he isn’t performing, he serves the local music community as the owner and operator of Jays Piano Tuning, ensuring the town’s instruments sound as good as his own.
Kenny Vehkavaara
Kenny has been nominated twice for a JUNO Award in the “Best Instrumental” category for his works, “Fiesta del Sol” and “Mediterranean Nights”.
Two of Kenny’s children’s Cds ( Fisher Price – Favorite Animal Songs and “Superstarz”) have been certified gold here in Canada
He has been playing and studying music since he was 16 years old and has been playing professionally now for close to 30 years.
He has toured the world from Dubai to Bangkok to The West Indies.
When you see Kenny perform you will experience a wide range of styles from reggae to rock to r&b and soul.
Edie Wilson
Edie is a songwriter, bassist, and the lead singer of the post-punk band Terrible and the Horribles.
When not writing originals, she enjoys singing folk songs in both English and French, and draws inspiration from bluegrass and early American blues music. She is from Quebec and lives in Hamilton.
