The Team
Chair
Hale Ferguson
Hale Ferguson is a PEC resident focused on igniting change within their community. They work for a not for profit organization that focuses on programs that increase literacy and essential skills and offer educational and employment upgrading as well as training. Their role also includes making sure there is an increase in graduation rates, and community involvement for youth in Prince Edward County.
Hale’s role within their organization gives them the insight needed to help provide opportunities to make sure the structure of the not for profit is obtained & successful.
Vice Chair
Caro Reiss
Caroline is an avid violist who is passionate about classical music and bringing music to everyone, especially youth.
Caroline is currently the principal violist with Orchestra Kingston and plays with Queens Symphony. She has also played with Quinte Symphony, Orchestra Toronto, and the PSO. She also plays in a Baroque quartet featuring spinet and viola de gamba.
In her day job, Caroline runs a wedding venue in Prince Edward County and has 2.5 year-old twin boys.
Treasurer
Amanda Worsley
Amanda is a mother to three boys who are enrolled in, and love, the Quintissimo music program. A County resident since 2016, Amanda has been an active member of the small business community – running her own store with her husband as well as working with numerous County businesses as a bookkeeper. Amanda is a lover of music and champion of Quintissimo’s mission to provide access to high end musical exploration and exposure to Quinte Youth.
Board Member
Alexander Whyte
Alexander Whyte is a composer, improviser and trombone player committed to the creation
and performance of new interdisciplinary works. Fascinated by the sonic worlds of
improvisation, folk and contemporary music, Alex views music as an interface for human
connection and change-making. By day Alex is a carpenter working in home renovations and is
the happy father to a happy toddler.
Fundraising coordinator
Carolyn Bishop
Carolyn sits on the O'Hara Volunteers Association Board, which oversees the running of the O'Hara Mill Homestead in Madoc. As a non-profit group, they run various events and a lottery, to raise monies for the maintenance of the site. Carolyn is a retired Police Officer and decided to take up the most difficult instrument for an "adult learner", the cello.
Board Member
Nick Bobas
is a classical musician who has a bachelor’s degree from McGill University and a master’s degree from Boston University. Nick has played in Canada with the Calgary Philharmonic, the Thunder Bay Symphony, and in Norway with the Bergen Philharmonic. After several years of home brewing, he decided to further his interest by enrolling in Niagara College’s Brewmaster program, and now owns and operates Slake Brewing.
Founder / Artistic Director / flute faculty
Diana Lam
Meet Diana - a flutist who loves to share her music with others. Diana was Associate Performance Faculty at Carleton University, and is Suzuki trained and Keyfest certified. Diana is part of the Opus 4 flute quartet, runs her own private studio, and even works as a flute technician. Diana moved to Prince Edward County in 2021, and, inspired by the El Sistema philosophy, founded Quintissimo with Amber Walton-Amar. When she's not playing music, Diana enjoys gardening, sailing, and partner acrobatics.
Co Founder / Program Director / Cello faculty
Amber Walton-Amar
Amber loves teaching cello to students of all ages and levels. She has obtained teaching certifications through the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the Royal Conservatory of Music, and the Creative Ability Development method for improvisation. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys performing and has played her cello across Canada, Europe and China with various symphonies and ensembles. Amber holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance.
Voice Faculty
Madeline Morris
Madeline graduated with a music degree from the University of British Columbia and appeared as a vocal soloist and chorus member in operas and choral concerts in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Toronto, Ottawa and Wales. Her performance and conducting experience includes church music, school choirs, adult choirs, community opera and musicals. She has been a private music teacher for over 30 years and joined the teaching staff of St. Michael's Choir School, Toronto in 2006. At St. Michael’s, Madeline taught piano, music theory and harmony before retiring in 2022.