Lauri Lyster

Percussion, voice

Lauri Lyster is a versatile musician, equally at home playing classical, jazz or ethnic percussion and drum set. She is a percussionist with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and an occasional extra for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She has worked with jazz bands, chamber ensembles, dance groups and recorded for television and film. She also enjoys teaching group percussion and piano classes and workshops to the young…and the young at heart.

One of Lauri’s main projects is the traditional jazz band the New Orleans Ale Stars, headed by her husband Simon Stribling. This band has played jazz festivals and concerts in BC, Holland and the US. The Ale Stars won the Jeff Healey award for best traditional jazz album in Canada in 2007, and have a new offering, a live CD recorded in October 2010. Currently, Lauri is kept busy with her baby daughter Scarlet, whom she's grooming to be the next member of Winter Harp.

Caroline Márkos

Voice

Caroline Márkos is one of those rare vocalists who can move effortlessly between styles. With a powerful operatic voice, a sultry jazz voice and a clear Celtic voice -- she is truly three singers in one.

Caroline began her singing career with the acclaimed Peters Drury Trio which toured Canada and the United States and grew to international prominence with their two albums, both of which achieved success in national and international markets. With the Peters Drury Trio, Caroline was nominated for a West Coast Music Award.

A few years ago, Caroline switched musical gears and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Opera Performance at the University of B.C.

Currently Caroline is at the University of Manitoba where she has been awarded a Fellowship for Graduate Studies in Music (M.MUS) to study with the acclaimed Canadian soprano Tracy Dahl.

In the past few years besides performing with operas in Vancouver, Caroline has performed in operas in Prague and Shanghai. She is also a regular soloist with Dal Richard’s jazz orchestra.