DKSM Board of Directors

Board Chair - Kirsty Howatt

Christiana (Kirsty) Howatt began to play the flute at age 9 after attending a summer introduction to music camp (at her mother's insistence) in her hometown of Winnipeg, MB.  Music evolved into a real passion in her life (thanks Mom!). She graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Flute Performance) at the University of Manitoba and went on to pursue a Bachelor of Laws and practice law in Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba for several years.  She is now a stay-at-home mother (and wife to her farmer husband) who maintains a small studio (in non-Covid times) of flute and piano students.  All three of her children study violin with Jason Vanwynsberghe and her two older children have thoroughly enjoyed participating in Cadenza as well as the various string ensembles (and her youngest child is excited to follow in his siblings footsteps!).

Heather Menzies 

I was born and raised in Morden, and somehow against all odds have ended up back here in my adulthood.  I started playing the cello when I was in 3rd grade, and since then have had the opportunity to play in community orchestras in Winkler (originally under Douglas Kuhl), Bolivia, Virginia and Toronto.  For those from the area who may remember him, I currently have the honour of playing my uncle Reynold Siemens' cello (though not nearly as well nor as dedicatedly as he played).  I work as a mental health and a medical nurse in several hospitals in Manitoba, and have the ongoing privilege of playing in the DKSM Post Roads orchestra.  I am happy to have the opportunity to be on the DKSM board with people who are so dedicated and passionate about making music exciting and accessible to people in the Pembina Valley.

Stephen Knott

Music has been my life from RCM piano exams to singing in many choirs.  I studied piano, voice and organ in Toronto and sang in choirs from early years to the Ontario Youth Choir and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.  For twenty eight years I taught music at Winkler Elementary School and now am privileged to join the DKSM board.  Looking forward to live music soon!