Goin’ Baroque – String Ensemble

GB Fredericton
2019

Ian Burdon

Ian grew up in the Kennebecasis Valley, attended SJHS and presently resides in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He studied violin with Jessie Ward Barker, Paul Campbell, Clayton Hare, Francis Chaplin  and Walter Prystawski (National Arts Center Orchestra) and was a member of New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, in his youth. Joining Canada‘s Armed Forces, Ian continued his musical studies and while stationed in Bermuda, performed with the Bermuda Symphony Orchestra. A decorated veteran, upon his retirement Ian returned to New Brunswick and continues to perform with various ensembles including Musica Viva, the St. Andrews Arts Festival Gala Orchestra and he is presently the concertmaster for the Fredericton Symphony Orchestra

Christine Chase

Alternates Between: Violin II & Viola

A Saint John girl who grew up in Quispamsis, Christine studied violin with Alice Mae Eccles, Janis Kalejs and Rodney McLeod. She was a member of the the SJHS Symphony Orchestra, an original member of NBYO, the Saint John Symphony and Symphony New Brunswick. Chris is a graduate of Mount Allison University’s B.Mus and B.Ed programs and taught in New Brunswick’s School District 6  for 32 years. The last 20 of those teaching group string classes and directing string orchestras. Since her retirement Chris has concentrated on developing her skills as a violist and composer of arrangements for Jim Stewart’s folk music. Presently Christine plays viola with Goin’ Baroque, FSO and Symphonette by the Sea-sur mer. She enjoys ensemble work and performing with the St. Andrews Arts Council Gala Orchestra.

Suzanne Bonnell-Burley

Cello I

Suzanne grew up in Saint John, learning cello first through the Saint John school district’s string programme with Alice Mae Eccles. She performed with the Saint John High School symphony orchestra and became the inaugural principal cellist for NBYO. Later she studied cello with Emo Reti (Atlantic Symphony) and Malcolm Tait, principal cellist with the Toronto Symphony. Suzanne has performed with a number of orchestras and ensembles including the Guelph Symphony, Fredericton Chamber Players, Symphony New Brunswick, St. Andrews Gala Orchestra and the York Early Music Ensemble. In addition to Goin‘ Baroque, Suzanne plays in pit orchestras for high school musical productions in Saint John, Fredericton and with Theatre New Brunswick.

Gary Chase

Cello II & Bassist ( when required )

Gary was born and raised in Saint John and has enjoyed careers in music, broadcasting and audio production. In his early years, Gary studied piano with John Grew and voice with Dianne Oxner. He studied cello at Mount Allison University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in music. A past member of NBYO and the Saint John Symphony; Gary currently plays cello with Goin’ Baroque and Fredericton Symphony Orchestra . He is a founding member of Donnie & the Monarchs (keyboard & vocals ). In 1981 Gary founded Epcom Communications now called The Voice Factory, a recording studio for voice-over narration productions. In 1993 Gary co-produced the Marco Polo Suite album with composer Jim Stewart and, the 2002 the Opera New Brunswick production of Jim’s multimedia Marco Polo Suite – A Folk Opera at Saint John Imperial Theatre.

Yiyang Shi Violin II & Viola

Yiyang is from Liuzhou, Guangxi China. He started playing violin at the age of five. In 2011, he was appointed director of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) Orchestra. While there he organized, directed and performed in widely-received university concerts, charity concerts, ceremonial music and music festivals including the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. In 2013, Yiyang’s trio won the 2013 Asia International Art Exchange Competition. In April of 2020 Yiyang earned his Master in Electrical Engineering degree from UNB Fredericton and bade farewell to Goin’Baroque and to New Brunswick. While here, he had performed throughout New Brunswick with Goin’ Baroque, FSO, the UNB Chorale, NB Summer Music Festival, Choral Fest and with the St. Andrews Gala Festival Orchestra. His talent and enthusiasm will be missed.

As of April of 2020: Goin’ Baroque wished farewell to Yiyang as he set out for Ontario to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering

GB Saint John
2025

Cameron McLellan

Susannah McKenzie – Sutter

Susannah (Suzy) McKenzie-Sutter is a violinist and violin teacher based in Saint John, NB. From Georgetown Ontario, Susannah holds a Master of Music degree in violin performance & pedagogy and a Bachelor of Music degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She  has studied with celebrated violinists, including Nancy Dahn of Duo Concertante Lynn Kuo of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, Jennifer Johnson body mapping specialist, and Roxalana Toews of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra. Susannah now works as a private violin teacher through her studio Spirito Strings and as a freelance performer in orchestral and chamber music ensembles. Some of her highlights include performing with Michael Buble in his Higher Tour Moncton show, with Symphony New Brunswick in select concerts, and as a soloist with Symphonette by the Sea. She is also a member and co-founder of the violin chamber ensemble Duo Fundy. 

Gary Chase

Cello II & Bassist ( when required )

Gary was born and raised in Saint John and has enjoyed careers in music, broadcasting and audio production. In his early years, Gary studied piano with John Grew and voice with Dianne Oxner. He studied cello at Mount Allison University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in music. A past member of NBYO and the Saint John Symphony; Gary currently plays cello with Goin’ Baroque and Fredericton Symphony Orchestra . He is a founding member of Donnie & the Monarchs (keyboard & vocals ). In 1981 Gary founded Epcom Communications now called The Voice Factory, a recording studio for voice-over narration productions. In 1993 Gary co-produced the Marco Polo Suite album with composer Jim Stewart and, the 2002 the Opera New Brunswick production of Jim’s multimedia Marco Polo Suite – A Folk Opera at Saint John Imperial Theatre.

Suzanne Bonnell-Burley

Cello I

Suzanne grew up in Saint John, learning cello first through the Saint John school district’s string programme with Alice Mae Eccles. She performed with the Saint John High School symphony orchestra and became the inaugural principal cellist for NBYO. Later she studied cello with Emo Reti (Atlantic Symphony) and Malcolm Tait, principal cellist with the Toronto Symphony. Suzanne has performed with a number of orchestras and ensembles including the Guelph Symphony, Fredericton Chamber Players, Symphony New Brunswick, St. Andrews Gala Orchestra and the York Early Music Ensemble. In addition to Goin‘ Baroque, Suzanne plays in pit orchestras for high school musical productions in Saint John, Fredericton and with Theatre New Brunswick.