2026 Adjudicators

Ron Collins (B.Mus.,B.Mus.Ed., M.Ed.) enjoyed a full career as a music educator in the Newfoundland school system from Torbay to Gander, all while continuing to work as a musician in concert bands, jazz ensembles, rock bands, and pit orchestras/bands for musicals. He retired from teaching in 2020, and remains active as a musician playing saxophone in Jazz East and bass for Spirit of Newfoundland. His main role these days is as the Director of the Gower Community Band, a position he has held since January 2019.

Helen Grouchy (B.Ed., B.A., M.Ed.) retired from a fulfilling career as a Primary/Elementary teacher in 2019. Most of her time in the K–6 classroom was spent in Grand Falls–Windsor, with earlier teaching years in Norris Arm and Badger during the early 1990’s.

Midway through her career, she trained as a Reading Recovery teacher and found great joy in helping young children “put it all together” as they blossomed into confident readers.

Since retiring, Helen is enjoying a part-time position at a local ladies’ boutique as a Sales Clerk and Merchandiser. She jokingly says that she has come full circle—returning to retail, where she first worked before becoming a teacher.

Being a relatively new member of the Northcliffe Drama Club, Helen delights in taking on a variety of roles both on and off stage. 

As a lifelong lover of Children’s Literature, she is eagerly looking forward to hearing and watching the students perform their pieces. 

Dr. Julia Halfyard is a singer, actor, educator, and community builder whose work is rooted in a deep belief in the power of music to bring people together. A versatile performer, she has appeared on stages across Canada in theatres, concert halls, and intimate cabaret settings, performing repertoire that ranges from classical to contemporary, from the sublime to the joyfully ridiculous.

Her theatrical credits include memorable roles such as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd with Opera on the Avalon and Mother Superior in both The Sound of Music and Sister Act. She appeared in the world premiere of the Alan Menken and David Spencer musical The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz at the Segal Centre in Montreal and has collaborated with renowned organizations including the Charlottetown Festival, Artistic Fraud, Spirit of Newfoundland, the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, and Lady Cove Women’s Choir. 

Alongside her performance career, Dr. Halfyard is deeply committed to mentorship, music education, and community building through the arts. She believes that music festivals, choirs, and collaborative musical spaces are powerful environments where young musicians can grow in confidence, creativity, and connection. Her work consistently centers the idea that music is not only about performance, but also about identity and belonging.

Dr. Halfyard holds a Ph.D. in Education and works at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador in Student Affairs, where she supports student engagement and leadership development. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or in the community, she is passionate about nurturing the next generation of artists and helping young musicians discover both their voice and their place within the musical community.

Jennifer Halliday is a musician, educator, and adjudicator from St. John’s, Newfoundland, with many years of experience teaching voice and piano. She is the founder of Halliday Music Studio and holds an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Jazz Voice from York University. Jennifer has completed piano studies with the Royal Conservatory of Music and was awarded the Oscar Peterson Gold Medal of Excellence for achieving the highest standing in Conservatory Canada Voice examinations.

An accomplished accompanist and choral singer, Jennifer is a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and has been actively involved with Lady Cove Choir for many years. She also performs with The Hallidays, a dynamic ensemble featured at events and venues throughout the St. John’s area. Jennifer is delighted to be back adjudicating the Central Music Festival and looks forward to another inspiring year celebrating young musicians.

Erin Mackey is a theatre artist, creator, and performance coach hailing from North River,
who now splits her time between Ontario and Newfoundland. Her work spans contemporary,
Canadian, Shakespearean, and beyond.
She is a graduate of the 2020 prestigious National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal,
where she had the pleasure of collaborating with some of this country's most renowned
artists.
After graduation, Erin was selected by The Shaw Festival to join their resident company in
their 2021 Slaight Family Academy Intensive. Following this, she made her Mirvish Debut in
Toronto, performing in the musical No Change In The Weather, produced by Terra Bruce
Productions here in Newfoundland.
Erin has a strong ability for classical text, having spent six seasons working at Perchance
Theatre, Newfoundland’s only professional classical theatre company. It is here that she has
portrayed a plethora of roles, such as Nina in The Seagull, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Clarice in The Servant of Two Masters, and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
Erin has a strong love for musical theatre, having performed in productions such as Next to
Normal, Jesus Christ Superstar, Billy Elliot, The Sound of Music, and Nunsense in addition
to several others.
On screen, Erin’s favorite credits include Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Hudson & Rex (City
TV), My Christmas Guide (Hallmark), and voicing Mickey the Dog in the animated series
Mickey’s Farm for four seasons on the Pet Network.
After having spent over 10 years as a participant at the regional and provincial levels of the
Kiwanis Music Festival, the Central Music Festival holds a special place in Erin’s heart. This
festival was integral in spurring the artist she is today, and she is so excited to work with the
up-and-coming stellar performers of the next generation of Newfoundland artists.
Deep breaths, feel your feet, and let’s have some fun.