2007 Inductees: MRS. JANE STEELE
Category: Music

Jane Steele received her early music training in piano and violin in Nova Scotia. She obtained her diploma in School Music from the Nova Scotia Teachers’ College. Jane moved to St. John’s in 1959 and taught music at Curtis Academy for several years. During that period, she studied piano with Dr. Andreas Barban and acquired an A.T.C.L. and L.T.C.L. With Dr. Barban, she performed many programmes of duets and duos for CBC radio and television.



Jane formed and conducted a choir, the Giocoso Singers and its successor, the Giucantes. These choirs consisted of children aged seven to nineteen years and for 20 years under her direction consistently won awards in music competitions - CBC, local, provincial, and national. The Giocoso Singers participated in six festivals and placed second for the Matheson Trophy at the National Music Festival choral competition in 1980. At the 1981 competition, they placed first in the Matheson class. The Giucantes also participated in six festivals and were also recommended for Provincial and National competitions.

Mrs. Steele has taught piano for forty-eight years. For many years she was an accompanist on radio, television, and in concerts. She resides in St. John’s, where she conducts piano workshops, adjudicates music festivals annually, has served as national examiner for Conservatory Canada and taught piano at Memorial University’s School of Music for several years.

Jane Steele has been a very active supporter of the Kiwanis Music Festival during her long and distinguished career. In addition to entering solo performers and choirs in the annual festivals, she also provided her expertise and support to the Festival by serving 8 years on the Advisory Board and 16 years on the Syllabus Committee.

Because of her appreciation and support of the Festival, the Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Music Festival Association of St. John’s is proud to induct Jane Steele into its Hall of Honour in the Music Category.