About Us

Artistic Director
Accompanist
Our Mixtape Singers
Board of Directors
Our Commitment




Mixtape Singers Society is a semi-pro vocal ensemble committed to a high standard of artistic excellence, dedication, and integrity. Admission is auditioned and selective, ensuring a group of exceptional, committed artists who bring precision and passion to every performance.

Mixtape strongly believes that music is natural therapy, and storytelling through music healing. We care deeply about creating a safe, inclusive space, prioritizing mental health, emotional well-being, and the transformative power of music to bring people together, spark dialogue, and inspire change.

We strive to deliver uniquely dynamic, genre-expanding musical experiences.
While rooted in choral traditions, we redefine what a vocal collective can be, moving beyond the conventional choir to embrace solo performances, collaborative works, vocal jazz, and innovative pop, folk and rock arrangements.

Our mission is to create an artistically adventurous space where skilled vocalists connect, experiment, and showcase diverse musical styles.
By blending contemporary, classical, and crossover vocal artistry, Mixtape fosters musical finesse, virtuosity, creative expression, accessibility, and professional development, ensuring every singer has the opportunity to explore their unique voice in a group setting.

As we expand the boundaries of ensemble singing, we strive to elevate vocal performance, engage audiences with compelling storytelling through music, and provide a platform for artistic innovation in B.C.’s performing arts scene.

More than just a vocal ensemble; Mixtape is a community.
While music is our foundation, connection is what keeps us singing. From potlucks and jam sessions to weekend socials and heart-filled conversations, we believe the bonds offstage are just as meaningful as the harmonies we create on it. Whether you're trading snacks, stories, or harmonies, Mixtape is a place to belong.

Contact Us  for more info.

Who We Are

Our Artistic Director

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Gabriel Ferreras

FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Argentinian conductor and educator Gabriel Ferreras brings a rare combination of mastery, creative vision, and human warmth to the Mixtape Singers Society.

Trained on three continents, Gabriel is a graduate of Bennington College, Vermont (B.A., Orchestral & Choral Conducting; Piano Performance). Since 2024, He has served as music conductor at Pearson College (BC), where he previously studied from 2012 to 2014. He is also music director of the community choir Metchosin Free Range Singers.

Gabriel is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Victoria. His work spans symphonic and choral repertoire, original compositions, and bold genre-crossing collaborations. His leadership has revitalized choirs, orchestras, and community ensembles across North and South America, as well as Europe. 

What sets Gabriel apart is not only his artistry but also his gift for bringing people together. Colleagues and singers alike praise his easygoing presence paired with exacting musical standards. Whether conducting a full symphony, leading a cappella voices, or guiding young musicians through their first performance, Gabriel’s passion, intercultural fluency, and commitment to excellence create an environment where music is not only art, but also a shared experience of connection.

We are honoured to welcome Gabriel as our Artistic Director for the Mixtape Singers Society’s inaugural season. His exceptional musicianship, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to fostering community reflect the very values on which our ensemble is built. Under his direction, we look forward to creating music with purpose, sharing it widely, and building a strong foundation for the seasons to come.

Our Accompanist

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Arturo García Cuéllar

FOUNDING ACCOMPANIST

With over 20 years of experience in piano performance, educator and conducting Arturo García Cuéllar is a dynamic and versatile musician whose career began with early musical training. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music composition from the University of Texas at San Antonio, later expanding his studies at the National University of Cuyo in Argentina, where he deepened his knowledge of Latin American music.

His achievements include the construction of several orchestras and choirs, the creation of Tambojazz and multiple recording with several musical groups.

Driven by a passion for artistic growth, García Cuéllar has engaged in a wide range of musical projects, from piano instruction to composition, many of which inspired his pursuit of conducting. His conducting studies have taken him to the Wiener Meisterkurse, the European Music Institute Vienna, and the University of Victoria, where he continues to refine his craft.

At Mixtape Singers Society, Arturo’s artistry, dedication to musical excellence, and collaborative spirit will undoubtedly shine through every rehearsal and performance.
His multifaceted background of experience and genuine care for the music and the people making it help create an environment that is both inspiring and welcoming. By bringing his versatility and passion to our community, Arturo strengthens Mixtape’s mission of building connection and joy through music. We are delighted to welcome him to the team and look forward to working together.

Meet The Mixtape Singers!

(Click on these beautiful faces to learn more!)

Andrian

Tenor

Singing is what Andrians do best.

Anna

Soprano

My greatest passion is music and singing. And in all the years I’ve spent in choirs, it never gets old! I’m just happy to be here.

Ashley

Soprano

I’ve loved singing all my life being raised in a very musical home, just recently finding my love for singing with others who share the same energy and passion!

Bonnie

Alto

Singing with my daughters and raising them with music as a central theme has been my biggest joy. Working with children,singing, choir and a capella music are my passions and I am excited to be challenging myself with mixtape singers!

Christopher

Bass

Dan

Bass

Living life with the spirit of a now full‑time pirate, I decided to take my love of sea shanties a step further and join a choir. I quickly discovered how much I enjoy singing alongside a group of non‑pirates, and the opportunity to become part of Mixtape was simply too good to pass up. The experience continues to challenge and inspire me as I work to keep pace with the remarkable talent around me. As a proud Canadian pirate, my love of hockey runs deep. For more than four decades, I’ve passionately supported — and occasionally shouted at — the Toronto Maple Leafs. Go Leafs Go.

Dre

Bass

I’ve dabbled in many worlds over the years—from computer tech to improv—with a steady passion for personal growth and self-development running in the background. Music has been a throughline in my life, beginning with drums and bass played in friends’ basements as enthusiastic amateur musicians. I first stepped onto a stage to sing with a friend’s band at 27, and although life took me in many directions after that, singing remained a constant—mostly through karaoke, which served as a performance outlet for decades. Joining a choir is a new and exciting chapter for me, offering the chance to experience a shared performance outlet—to be a team player, blend voices, and perform live for people in a way that feels joyful and alive.

Emily

Soprano

Singing is a lifelong passion of mine. I joined my first choir when I was 8 and have been hooked ever since. My love of music lead me to my career of designing professional audio equipment.

Erin

Alto

As an autistic parent of three autistic children, including my youngest with significant health challenges, I’ve developed a strong commitment to disability advocacy and inclusive creative spaces. Raised on Salt Spring Island, I grew up immersed in music, dance, fine art, and theatre, later performing with choral and theatre groups throughout my life. These days I’m happiest singing with Mixtape and sharing its energy.

Haley

Soprano

I discovered my passion for singing just three years ago, and it's become a huge part of who I am. I've worked hard to grow my voice and confidence. I never imagined I'd reach this lever so quickly, but I'm proud of how far I've come.

Jayna

Alto

I started singing in elementary school choirs, high school choirs and church choirs, as well as musical theater! I love the arts, and love to perform most of all! My husband and 2 adult children also play bass guitar and drums, so I can say that music runs in our family!

Jenine

Alto

Hi! I’m Jenine, a Musical mom of 5! My parents encouraged my musical gifts from a very early age, from practical piano to private singing lessons, Surrey Children’s Chior, Earl Marriott band travelling, adjudicated in Jazz playing sax, clarinet and singing. Jobs Daughters song ritual competitions, trios, writing songs, and of course, karaoke! I am very excited to be apart of the mixtape singers, and inspire others to sing too!

Lauren

Soprano

I’m an accountant who prefers harmonies to spreadsheets (but is very good at both). Raised in Terrace, BC and living in Sooke for the last 15 years, I’ve sung in choir, played flute in band, and now keep my vocal skills sharp through frequent family karaoke nights.

Keiran

Tenor

Mary

Alto

The forests on Vancouver Island are a great open space to play with sound and experiment with my voice but mostly I love them for the sounds I discover as I explore them and for the moments that I turn a corner and see something that takes my breath away.

Melissa

Alto

Music has always been an important part of my life. I sang in the jazz ensemble and choir during high school. In my spare time, I love reading, spending time with my friends, and traveling with my family—watching them grow and make wonderful memories on our adventures.

Nicky

Alto

I am the eldest of 7 siblings with musician parents, so I grew up surrounded by nursery song, rhythm and rhyme. Now add to that school choir competitions, church choirs, a stint in a garage band in my teens, community musical theatre...you see where this is going...I love to sing with other voices! Retired now from a career in social services, I am getting really good at baking bread from scratch, and enjoy being "Granny" to two adorable littles - who enjoy my songs, rhythms and rhymes.

Nicole

Tenor

I'm an ex-UVic English prof who worked in a field called “environmental humanities.” Anything to do with environmental and social justice lights my fire! In my twenties I plucked away at the guitar, wrote a bunch of songs, and dreamed of being a rock star. A self-taught musician who plays by ear, I recently discovered the rigors – and joys – of singing with a group of people who are phenomenally committed and talented.

Paul

Tenor

I’m an avid Star Trek, Radiohead, and hockey fan who loves to sing at every opportunity. Mixtape is a project I’ve been conceptualizing for a long time, and seeing it come to fruition has been one of the best experiences of my life.

Sheila

Tenor

I love singing in groups, breathing together and feeling the music. My name is Sheila (she/her) and I also enjoy pottery, travel, and being in my garden.

Our Board of Directors

  • A man with sunglasses and a beard smiling, wearing a short-sleeve, patterned shirt and shorts, standing outdoors on a white railing with a lush green landscape and trees in the background.

    Paul Mitchell

    FOUNDER — PRESIDENT

    Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up surrounded by it, I found my voice - literally - through vocal jazz in high school, sparking a lifelong love for ensemble singing and choral music. Even as my professional life led me into leadership and team-building across industries, that early connection to music remains a core part of who I am. I bring the same creativity, collaboration, and joy I found in those musical experiences into everything I do. I’ve also contributed through governance roles in artistic organizations, helping shape spaces where music and community meet.

  • A woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing colorful glasses with blue, pink, and orange accents, smiling slightly, wearing dangling earrings and a dark gray top with a cowl neckline, standing against a plain light-colored wall.

    Erin Boychenko

    FOUNDER — SECRETARY

    The arts have always been part of who I am. Growing up in the vibrant artistic community of Salt Spring Island, I was surrounded by creativity and collaboration from an early age. That foundation shaped my lifelong passion for the arts; whether I’m performing, helping lead initiatives, organizing behind the scenes, or cheering others on. Over the years, I’ve taken on a variety of roles across the arts world, including leadership and governance positions in artistic organizations. I’m proud of the energy, ideas, and experience I continue to bring to creative communities, and I love contributing to spaces where the arts can thrive.

  • A man with long, slicked-back hair, wearing a blue T-shirt and a black eye patch over his right eye, sitting outdoors on rocks near a stream with greenery in the background.

    Dan van den Bergh

    FOUNDER — TREASURER

    Across my career, I’ve worn many hats; operations manager, team leader, tech support specialist, and childcare provider. Whether running logistics, supporting families, or building systems that keep things humming, I thrive in roles that call for adaptability, creative thinking, and heart.
    In recent years, I’ve also found deep joy and connection through choral singing. After three years immersed in ensemble music, I’m continually inspired by the collaboration, discipline, and expression it brings into my life, both inside and outside of work.

  • Haley Hansen

    DIRECTOR AT LARGE

    All about Haley… Coming soon!

We believe diversity is our greatest strength. We welcome everyone, regardless of gender, race, beliefs, creed, identity, or who they love, into a community built on respect and kindness.

Our commitment is to nurture an environment where you can share your authentic self without fear of judgment or harassment. Every voice matters, every story enriches us, and every person deserves to feel safe and supported.

By fostering empathy, open-mindedness, and mutual support, we bring inclusion to life. Together, we build a place where everyone belongs.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

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A white dove flying in front of a blue globe, symbolizing peace and global harmony.
Canadian flag with red vertical bars on each side and a red maple leaf in the center on a white background.
A pride flag with rainbow stripes and a pink, light blue, and white stripe with a purple circle, representing LGBTQ+ pride.
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We respectfully acknowledge the unceded traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples and the traditional keepers of their land.  We want to say thank you for allowing us to live, work, and play on your lands.

We specifically acknowledge the BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), Esquimalt, MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), Pacheedaht, Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay), Songhees, SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), T’Sou-ke, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartip), W̱SÁNEĆ and W̱SĺḴEM (Tseycum) peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.