JANE BEST

Jane Best (b. 1959) was born in Kingston, Ontario and began learning piano there as a child.  When she moved to Toronto, she continued studying piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and also participated in the children’s choir at St. George’s United Church. Later she studied music part-time at the University of Toronto before moving north 30 years ago to Manitoulin Island, to raise her family in the beautiful fresh air surrounded by lakes and trees and rocks.  She directed choirs for 6 years at Lyon’s Memorial United Church in Gore Bay, and went on to serve as church musician for All Saints Anglican for 8 years and also directed a sacred vocal quartet called In A Chord which visited churches to sing both a cappella and accompanied music.   She has directed the Manitoulin Community Choir since its inception 15 years ago, a choir of approximately 30 voices of many ages, and currently helps lead music at the Island Community Church.  Together with her family and friends she has recorded 3 CD’s of her songs, and several of her other choral pieces are available from Oceanna Music.  Two of her hymn tunes may be found in More Voices. Jane also teaches piano and guitar and folk harp. She is a member of the Hymn Society, and also attends the Summer Institute of Church Music for encouragement and fresh inspiration.