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Our Story

Jean Marie Learman

Jean Marie Learman adds many musical dimensions to La Compagnie. She has performed in several musical groups and writes her material. She is comfortable spinning a colorful story or belting out a sassy Irish sing-a-long or sailor chantey. A life-long performer, Jean Marie specializes in Maritime and Celtic music. Jean Marie is a retired public school teacher who composed many songs. She grew up in Harbor Beach, Michigan.

Nellie Osantowski

Nellie Osantowski grew up in mid-Michigan where she studied violin from a young age at the Michigan State University Community Music School. She earned her undergraduate degree in violin and bluegrass performance in 2008 from Denison University in Granville Ohio. In 2010 she graduated with a master’s degree in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas at Austin. She has also studied many fiddling styles including French Canadian, Bluegrass and Celtic. Nellie has competed regionally and nationally in traditional Irish music and dance. Nellie is a public school orchestra director for Saginaw Township Community Schools and teaches in the Saginaw Strings program.

Sheila Graziano

Sheila Graziano discovered her passion for dance at an early age. Rooted in ten years of tap lessons, her enthusiasm grew with the discovery of Appalachian clogging and other forms of traditional dance. Sheila has been performing myriad styles of percussive step dance for the past 30 years. Based in Chelsea, Michigan, she is the dance instructor and choreographer for Fiddlers ReStrung and The Saline Fiddlers, has ongoing adult classes, and teaches at festivals and dance camps throughout the region.

Sean O'Connell

Sean O’Connell graduted from Wayne State University with a Bachelors in Performance, Sean has enjoyed performing with community orchestras such as Dearborn and the Michigan Philharmonic of Plymouth, as well as chamber ensembles such as string quartet, a jazz trio, and, of course, – La Compagnie Musical Dance Troupe! He has also performed in the orchestra behind Josh Groban, Sarah McLachlan and Mannheim Steamroller. When Sean is not performing, you can usually find him practicing ViVi (his violin), writing little ditties, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Katherine Morris

Kathy Morris visited England as a child where she was inspired by the beauty and simplicity of English folk music. This early exposure to music grew into a love for exploring Celtic, English, Appalachian and Maritime styles. Kathy is the heartbeat of La Compagnie with her thundering beat on the bodhran and infectious laugh. If you want to request a number, Kathy is the “go-to” person. She has an extensive knowledge of folk and traditional music that spans centuries and several genres.

Genot Picor

Genot Picor danced three years with the Michigan Ballet Theater and has studied voice and movement at the Stratford Festival Theater, Stratford, Ontario. He assists Sheila with the interactive dance numbers. Born in Michigan, Picor has traveled across the country and eastern Canada. In 2015 he received a Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University, Department of Speech, Media and Theatre, specializing in Interpretive Performance Studies. He is a retired public school teacher and writer for the Mackinac Journal, The Great Lakes Pilot and The Voyageur Press.

Mark Szabo

Mark is La Compagnie’s narrator and naturalist and an award-winning member of the National Association for Interpretation. He integrated music into nature and historical programs for 33 years as a park naturalist and historical interpreter for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks in southeastern Michigan. Genot likes to say Mark is the “bounciest bass player and fastest ‘flat-picker’ he knows.” Mark provides the narration portion of La Compagnie’s interpretive program.

Friends of La Compagnie Musical Dance Troupe ™ who have contributed to our CD "A Health to La Compagnie."

Chuck Furchak

When asked about Chuck Furchak’s first-tenor range, Genot Picor replied in one word: “Stratospheric!” Chuck’s high tenor was the anchor for the upper harmonies on “Fine Old Lady.” That’s right, that high voice you hear belongs to Chuck! He has backed up Sarah Brightman at the Fox Theatre. In addition, during his tenure at Christ Church Grosse Pointe, he has performed cathedral concert tours in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Presently, Chuck is the tenor section leader at St. James Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Michigan.

Ken Collins

Ken Collins has been active in the local music scene in Detroit, Michigan since the 1980’s, playing in a variety of settings, including rock, folk and liturgical. He is a multi-instrumentalist who can play bass, guitar, and keyboards. In 1988, Ken toured with David Ruffin (formerly of “The Temptations”). Genot Picor describes Ken as the best harmony singer he’s ever had the pleasure to know and work with. Ken sings harmony with Genot on “On the Shores of Thunder Bay” and “A Health to the Company,” and provided backup on “The Boatman,” “Niagara Falls,” and “Fine Old Lady.”

Carrie Grignano

Originally from London, Ontario, Canada, mezzo soprano Carrie Grignano is a classically trained vocalist and experienced violinist. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music from Eastern Michigan University and has been playing the violin for over 20 years. She can also play guitar and piano. Her other passion in life is languages, so she is overjoyed anytime she has the opportunity to sing in another language. Carrie has performed songs in English, Italian, German, French, Korean, and Spanish. Carrie can be heard on many of the selections including Niagara Falls, The Boatman, A Health to the Company, and On the Shores of Thunder Bay. https://linktr.ee/carriegrignanomusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=feab1963-531b-434a-8162-ab767d1c45e8

Gerry Castle

Gerry Castle was born in Detroit and began playing music at a young age. He has performed locally and nationally with a variety of musical configurations, from rock to bluegrass. Additionally, he has composed music for approximately 15 plays, currently in publication through Samuel French and Pioneer Drama Service. He was thrilled when asked to record and perform with La Compagnie. On La Compagnie’s CD A Health to La Compagnie, Gerry plays the finger-style intro on C’est L’Aviron, the banjo on The Boatman and mandolin on several other songs and tunes, including Harbour Lights, On the Shore of Thunder Bay, and The Eighth of January. https://SoundCloud.com/Gerry-Castle

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