Marque Smith studied classical piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music and jazz piano at Humber College. He was the accompanist of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale from 2000-2004 and was the music director of The Caribbean Chorale of Toronto as well as The DAREARTS Choir. Marque has taught music at Royal St. George’s College and also has performed at events honouring such world leaders as Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Theatre engagements include Evita with Etobicoke Musical Productions, The Secret Garden with The York Weston Players and Cinderella and Bye, Bye Birdie with No Strings Theatre.
Join us for the return of Sunday Morning Joy : Pride Edition! This Live event will feature classical music from Sunday Morning Joy guests Pride Men’s Chorus, Rick Kish & Friends, Marque Smith and a Special Guest!
This event will be recorded and available for free stream on Pridelondonnetwork.com
Rick has been working as an independent music & theatre professional in various capacities since proudly graduating with his BFA from the University of Windsor’s, School of Dramatic Art. Rick received his Masters degree from UWO’s, Don Wright Faculty of Music in Literature & Performance with a focus in Music Theatre. He is a member in good standing of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association (CAEA). In 2020 Rick was nominated 2020 Jazz Vocalist of this year – the same award he received in 2019 (Jazz Vocalist of the Year Award) through the Forest City London Music Awards (FCLMA). Several projects he’s led have received Brickenden Awards – Vigil, Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens & The Secret Garden. Fringe Festival Awards include JUDY: Stonewalled!, Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens. He is also a proud LAC Community Investment Grant Investment recipient. He has worked as an artistic director, producer, director, actor, singer, voice teacher/coach, acting teacher/coach & workshop leader. Scroll down for full list of awards below…
He served as Artistic Director at The Port Stanley Festival Theatre in Port Stanley, ON, and at The Bluewater Summer Playhouse in Kincardine, ON. Rick created the professionally engaging (CAEA) theatre company in London, ON, a missing link theatre company (amltc). In its two seasons amltc staged JUDY: Stonewalled! (Outstanding Cast Award – London Fringe 2014), Billy Bishop Goes To War, A Really RETRO Christmas Special – 2014, 2013 & 2012, VIGIL (2013 Brickenden Award Winner – Outstanding Comedy & Actress), The World Premiere Production of Norm Foster’s The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby & A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline.
Rick is the Artistic Director of LINK theatre which began in December of 2015 with a really Retro CROONER Christmas. The show has become an annual production. Since 2015 the show toured the Province of Ontario. The Crooners visited Huron Country Playhouse, Drayton Festival Theatre, Meaford Performing Arts, to name a few… In 2020, due to Covid, the show had only two live performances at Paradigm Spirits at 100 Kellogg Lane – a stripped down version of the show called, An Intimate Crooner Christmas. In 2021 the show enjoyed a limited tour. (Check out LINK theatre’s page for information – www.linktheatre.ca). In 2017 LINK staged the OUTRAGEOUS musical comedy Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens. Due to being wildly popular with audiences, it was remounted in 2018… Both productions were presented in The TABU Lounge at Jack’s on Richmond Street in London.
Some favourite acting credits include: Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens, JUDY: Stonewalled!, The Rocky Horror Show, Songs From The Bar… and one more for the road , My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, The Wild Guys, Toronto, Mississippi and Side By Side By Sondheim.
Some favourite directing credits include: The Secret Garden: A Musical, JUDY: Stonewalled!, Billy Bishop Goes To War, Vigil, the World Premiere Production of Norm Foster’s The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline for amltc, Hedwig & The Angry Inch for the London Fringe festival 2012, Wang Dang Doodle for the Grand Theatre in London, Steel Magnolias for the University of Windsor’s, School of Dramatic Art, Sweeney Todd for the University of Western Ontario, Mary’s Wedding, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, The Wild Guys, Suds: The Rocking ‘60’s Musical Soap Opera & Forever Plaid & the World Premiere Production of Norm Foster’s Storm Warning for The Bluewater Summer Playhouse, Maggie’s Getting Married, Pith, You’ll Get Used To It! The War Show & Bordertown Café for the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Rick has created, produced and performed in a variety of Jazz/Swing/Musical Theatre themed shows such as the a really Retro CROONER Christmas show, a Really RETRO Specials, Songs From The Bar …and one more for the road, From Broadway to Jazz…, A Holiday Celebration of Jazz…, Broadway Lights & Hot Summer Nights, A New Years Eve Celebration of Swing…, The Gangsters of Swing & What Happens In Vegas… Other projects are currently in the works…
Rick has been very involved in many youth mentorship initiatives at the Grand Theatre in London. For 10 years Rick worked as Vocal/Singing Coach on The Highschool Project; Les Miserables (2016), Hello Dolly, The Addams Family: A New Musical, Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady, Footloose, Anything Goes, Grease, The Pirates of Penzance & Les Miserables (2007). As well as having worked with The Grand Academy for several years as the acting coach & voice through Broadway Songs instructor.
For the past several years now, Rick has been adjudicating with the RISE 2 FAME Youth Talent Search with contestants from across Southwestern Ontario. He has taught acting at both Fanshawe College in the Acting Program as well as UWO’s Continuing Studies and the Don Wright Faculty of Music Master’s Program.
Rick teaches Singing & Acting from his home Studio in London, ON.WWW.RICKKISH.CA
Marque is also a very experienced choral musician who has been a member of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, The Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, The Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus and The Karen Schuessler Singers. He can found on the Marquis Classics recordings Listen to the Lambs: The Music of R. Nathaniel Dett and An Indigo Christmas…Live with The Nathaniel Dett Chorale. He can also be found on the recordings Live Off The Floor with Elizabeth Paddon, Don’t Rain On My Parade with Cindy Ashton and Love with Angus Sinclair.
Since moving to London, Ontario in 2007, Marque has music directed Nine and White Christmas with Musical Theatre Productions, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Saunders Secondary School, The Producers with Pacheco Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, My Son Pinocchio, School House Rock, Assassins, Honk and I’m Sorry The Bridge Is Out, You’ll Have To Spend The Night, Xanadu and Robin Hood’s Merry Outdoor Adventures with Original Kids Theatre Company, Rocky Horror Show with Simply Theatre, Seussical with Catholic Central High School, Beauty and The Beast with London Community Players, Songs For A New World with Theatre Woodstock and The Fantasticks with St. Mary’s Community Players.
Marque is the 10:30am Director of Music at Riverside United Church and is the Artistic Director/Accompanist of The Broadway Singers along with Artistic Director/Conductor Paul Grambo. Marque was also the Recipient of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Governor General for dedicated service to his peers, his community and to Canada.
SPREADING HAPPINESS THROUGH SONG
Pride Men’s Chorus London is part of a movement of LGBTQ2 Choirs in the world. In 1978 San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Chorus made an unexpected debut after the assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone. Pride Men’s Chorus London made its unexpected debut at the Vigil for The Orlando Massacre hosted at Aeolian Hall on June 14th 2016. In the global arena of eroding human rights and particularly the rights of the LGBTQ2 community, we sing to enlighten and help those with closed minds and hearts open up to celebrate diversity and love.
Rent The Aeolian
The Aeolian is a beautiful, unique, award-winning location to host your event.
While particularly renowned for its acoustic/live music presentations, the Aeolian is a versatile facility and can also host conferences and fundraisers.
Give the Gift of Aeolian
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Look no further than a gift card for The Aeolian. This is a perfect gift for any lover of music and the arts.