ABOUT
Multiple Artists, One Signature Sound
Do you love time in nature, spending time with people you care about and music? Perfect, we're going to get along just great! We're music-nerds, hopeless romantics and bffs who care about celebrating life and making the best music possible. Just like the harmony we create in music, it takes a balanced effort to get the Grace Notes show on the road! If you'd like to learn more how we do it, keep scrolling
MEET THE ARTISTS
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Cellist and Event Coordinator
Grace Snippe
Hi I’m Grace! I’m the event coordinator and cellist for Grace Notes, born and raised in St.Catharines Ontario, and currently completing my masters of cello performance at the University of British Columbia! I love making music, expanding the boundaries of cello repertoire, and
playing new music by living composers.
Favourite thing about music:
Collaborating with others, making beautiful discoveries as
a team!
Favourite wedding memory:
When there was a bride suffering from severe anxiety on her wedding day and she let us know that by hearing her favourite songs, our music helped her to feel completely calm and present throughout the wedding. Music is so powerful that way.
Favourite songs to play at events:
La Vie en Rose, Don’t Stop Me Now, Friday I’m in Love
Violinist and Violist
Maggie Creighton
Hi I’m Maggie! I play violin and viola. I love to share music with others through performing with Grace Notes and through teaching my students here in Niagara. I have been able to be part of various orchestras throughout my career, and was blessed with opportunities to tour both Canada and parts of the States. I currently live in Port Colborne with my husband and my beautiful daughter!
Favourite thing about music:
I love making music with others who love it as much as I do, and seeing people be blessed by the music that we share!
Favourite Wedding Memory
I love when couples choose a song that is meaningful for them for their signing, and are able to enjoy it in the moment.
Favourite songs to play at events:
Don’t Stop Me Now, La Vie En Rose, Home, Galway Girl, Moondance
Violinist
Danielle Marconi
Hi! I'm Danielle, one of the violinists for Grace Notes and also help with arrangements! I grew up listening to and playing classical music, but once I discovered that stringed instruments can play any style or genre, I got hooked on exploring everything the violin has to offer!
Favourite thing about music:
Working with the team! Exploring different generes as a string ensemble!
Favourite Wedding Memory
Being able to play music for a beautiful couple that decided to spend the rest of their lives together.
Favourite songs to play at events:
Don’t Stop Me Now, La Vie En Rose, Home, Galway Girl, Moondance
Violist and Arranger
Karlie Boyle
Hi I'm Karlie! I play the viola and specialize in writing trio and quartet arrangements for clients' custom requests. When clients hear their custom music for the first time and smile, it makes me smile. Smiling's health. Let's smile together.
Favourite thing about music:
Bringing contemporary music to live with a traditional string ensemble!
Favourite Wedding Memory
Flower ring-bear pups with bow ties! Hands down!
Favourite songs to play at events:
At Last, Don't Stop Me Now, Like I'm Gonna Lose You
Violin
Annie Slade
Hi, I'm Annie Slade! I have been playing violin with Grace Notes since day one, and love playing with this amazing group of musicians to make magical musical moments! I've always had a love for classical music growing up in a family full of musicians. I have been playing violin for over twenty years and my favourite part is playing in ensembles because of the collaboration and connection that comes with performing together. I hold an MA in Arts Management from Queens University and my day job is creating theatre for young people as General Manager of Carousel Players.
Favourite things about making music:
Working with the team! Listening and balancing and finding the perfect groove as a group.
Favourite songs to play:
At Last, Don't Stop Me Now, Like I'm Gonna Lose You
Favourite wedding memory:
I will never get over the cuteness of dogs in bowties, but my absolute favourite thing is bringing custom requests to life for our couples! One groom learned the guitar in secret and surprised his bride with a performance of her favourite song, backed up by string quartet!!
Violinist
Gwyn Thomson
Hi, my name is Gwyn, a Hamilton violinist born and raised on Canada’s east coast. I specialize
in classical, but if you want fiddle or folk at your event, I'm your person! I love making music with
others, and premiering new music with my piano trio. I have a doctorate in violin performance
from the University of Toronto and run my own concert series which features music written by
women and minorities. When not performing or teaching, I'm busy spending time with my two
young boys, husband, and dog.
Favourite thing about music:
I love the collaboration process, it’s different every time, every piece and musician combining to
make something new is so exciting!
Favourite wedding memory:
Playing for my cousin’s wedding a few years ago. She was a nanny for two little girls at the time,
and they were her flower girls for the ceremony. It was so cute seeing the joy on their faces
being part of her special day.
Favourite songs to play at events:
Merry go Round of Life, Ocean Eyes and A Thousand Years
Violinist
Sophia Nikitin
Hi everyone! My name is Sophia and I’ve been playing violin since 2013. I’m doing my MSc in Kinesiology at Brock and have been playing with Grace Notes since 2023. Throughout my career I’ve performed internationally and am so happy to be bringing more music to the Niagara region.
Favourite things about music:
Turning something I love into something that people can
listen to and appreciate.
Favourite songs to play at events:
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Favourite wedding memory:
Being able to play music for a beautiful couple that decided to spend the rest of their lives together.
Violinist
Lily Zakaryan
Hi, I’m Lily, I’m a professional violinist with a Master Degree in Performance from Yerevan State
Conservatory. With 30 years of experience performing in orchestras and chamber ensembles,
I’ve had the privilege of playing internationally with the Armenia Philharmonic Orchestra and
piano trio across Europe, the USA, and Asia. Currently, I perform with Casa Loma Orchestra,
Opera Lyrics Orchestra, SPO Orchestra and Shell Piano Trio.
Favourite thing about music:
The incredible connection it creates—whether performing
with fellow musicians or bringing emotions to life for an audience, music has a unique power to
unite and inspire.
Favourite wedding memory:
Performing for a couple who had a deep personal connection to a piece we played. Seeing their eyes light up and knowing the music made their moment
even more special was unforgettable.
Favourite songs to play at events:
Sentimental waltz, Czardas, and Italian Tarantella classics that never fail to create a magical atmosphere! :)
Cellist
Zaida Nassirov
Hi, my name is Zaida! I am a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music and one of the
cellists for Grace Notes. I enjoy playing for various orchestras such as Casa Loma Symphony
Orchestra and Kindred Spirits, collaborating with different chamber ensembles, and being a part
of Grace Notes team.
Favourite things about music:
Meeting new people, exploring different arrangements, and being a part of a special day.
Favourite songs to play:
What a Wonderful World, Can’t Help Falling in Love,
Moondance.
Favourite wedding memory:
We were contacted by the relative of the bride from a different province and commissioned to perform a song written specifically for the wedding. He sang and
performed with us, and it was a beautiful moment even though we had only met that day.
Cellist
Marcela
Hi, my name is Marcela Lagunas. I am proud to be part of the Grace Notes team, where I find joy being part of very special and inspiring moments of community life. I was born in Mexico,where I developed my professional career being part of several symphony orchestras for 22 years. I am fortunate to be married to pianist Luis Molina with whom I have performed beautiful chamber music concerts in several countries in Europe and North America.
Two years ago I proudly became a Canadian Citizen, finding lots of prosperity and growing opportunities in my new home, sharing comfort to people with the power of music.
Favourite thing about music:
I like discovering new music arrangements and songs to
expand my scope.
Favourite wedding memory:
I love feeling the couple's excitement when they hear their
processional music. All wedding memories are equally special during that moment for me.
Favourite songs to play at events:
Claude Debussy’s Moonlight, Make You Feel My Love, A Thousand Years.
Violinist
Mary Beth
Hi I’m Mary Beth Doherty. I have been playing the violin for over 35 years!! After doing a BA in Music Education at the University of Toronto, I went on to do my ARCT in violin performance. I am a core member of the Niagara Symphony. I love to play all genres of music (especially
Celtic) and to jam with my family and friends. I have taught many young musicians over the years to love music and to master the violin / piano to the best of their ability. I continue to teach and perform and love what I do and to see how music affects everyone’s life in a positive way.
Favourite things about music:
Teamwork, the rush of sound onstage and the happiness
on the audience’s faces.
Favourite songs to play:
La Vie en Rose, Galway Girl, Friday I’m in Love
Favourite wedding memory:
After a wedding in the Garden at the Pillar and Post when the wedding party and their whole family came over to our quartet and were so thankful and appreciative.
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Violinist
George Cleland
Hi, I’m George! I have been playing violin and viola, conducting, coaching and teaching in the
Niagara region and southern Ontario since 2003. I have played in several regional orchestras and as violinist for Garden City Productions. I am on staff with the
Niagara Youth Orchestra and Brock University, and the Niagara Symphony Summer Music Camp.
Favourite things about music:
I love playing together in an ensemble and communicating
together through sound.
Favourite songs to play at events:
I Will Wait For You from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Favourite wedding memory:
Years ago I had a friend who got married in a very simple
ceremony and they just walked in together for their processional. It was really a happy moment.
Founder
Allison Legendre
Hi! I'm Allison! I started Grace Notes back in 2015 with Grace, Annie, and Karlie! We first started making music together in high school at Laura Secord high school and Brock University when I got my degree in violin performance. I moved away from Niagara in 2017, so I'm mostly behind the scenes and don't perform with the team as much, but I am with you all in spirit! <3
Favourite things about music:
I love how creating and listening to live music is a transformative experience that reaches the deepest parts of our souls!
Favourite wedding memory:
So many!! Am I allowed to say my own when this phenomenal string quartet right here played "Concerning Hobbits?"
Favourite songs to play at events:
Ummm.. with a quartet probably "I love you baby" by Frankie Valli (any other "10 Things I Hate About You" fans? lol) Also "A Dream is A Wish" from Cinderella because it makes me feel like a princess!
HIGHLY SKILLED AND SENSITIVE MUSICIANS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, BUT TOGHER THEI'RE MAGIC!
"
I cannot overstate how wonderful it was to have Grace Notes Events play at our wedding reception. .. the quartet added a fun, uplifting ambience to our special day. I am still receiving compliments about them almost 2 months after our wedding!
- Andrea & Michael
