The Annapolis Valley Music Festival Executive and Committees are hard at work to produce the 2023 Festival. We have been using our time away to make some wonderful changes to our festival. In addition to the new beautiful logo pictured above we are also working very hard to create some new opportunities for our local musicians in the form of new festival classes, workshops and special events.

We are now operating under a new executive, who are very excited to continue to provide a wonderful experience for our community. 

If you would like to be a par t of our exciting new journey, please connect with us either via the “Volunteer” section of this website, or by connecting with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wendy LaPierre, President

Wendy LaPierre lives in the Annapolis Valley, where she studied voice at Acadia University and earned a Music Education degree.

 When her kids were young, Wendy performed with the Valley based group DonnaWendyAndy and was the music director at Kings County Christian School, as well substituting as music teacher at the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board.

 Now that she has 5 grandchildren, she’s very busy grand-parenting, as well as running “Cotton Tale Cafe and Play” in New Minas.

 One of Wendy’s biggest joys is directing the North Mountain Community Chorus and being involved in various musical and theatrical projects around the Valley, including but not limited to The Annapolis Valley Music Festival, The Nova Scotia Choral Federation, and Stage Prophets.

Misty Banyard-Kelley, General Manager

A native of the Annapolis Valley, who spent twenty years performing abroad, Misty Banyard – Kelley holds Bachelors degrees in both Music and Music Education from Acadia University, and a Masters in Vocal Performance (U of Ottawa), as well as a law clerk certification from the Institute of Law Clerks in Ontario.

Ms. Banyard-Kelley is a very active performer, teacher, clinician, adjudicator, Music Director and Stage Manager of skill and merit. Her clinical work at the Grange School in England was described as “superb” and her work for the Greater Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival as a  “breath of fresh air.”

When not in "the pit" or, in the case of the Annapolis Valley Music festival “at her desk”, Misty is a professional vocalist in many different performance genres, including opera and musical theatre. She enjoys playing either the maternal figure or the “bad girl.” In fact, her embodiment of “Musetta” in La Boheme with Capital City Opera was heralded by Absolute Comedy Ottawa as “hilarious with impeccable comedic timing.”  Her portrayal of the “Queen of the Night” in Mozart’s Magic Flute was described by CBC’s Laurence wall as “simply stunning.”

Other career highlights include solo work at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin and St, Mark’s Basilica in Venice, as well as the World Premieres of Santa Clause Conquers the Martians (Momar) and Scary Poppins (Mrs. Hamilton). Misty was also fortunate to perform the Canadian Premiere of Popule Meus by Llamas.

 Outside of musical performance and teaching, Misty has also had the great honour of managing the Internationally renowned, and Juno winning, Ottawa Bach Choir, The Ewashko Singers and Bytown Opera Works while she was living in Ottawa. Since returning home in 2022, Misty has taken on the role of Music Director at Nictaux Baptist Church, Vice President of NSRMTA, General Manager for the AVMF, Stage Manager for Stage Prophets production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and a  board member on the boards for FMFNS and CFMTA.

Misty currently resides in Middleton with her husband Scott and their four fur babies.




Andrea Greig Reside



Anne Shaffelburg Greener