Monique Tougas Creber (1994-2005)

A multi-talented vocalist, keyboardist, producer, songwriter and arranger, Monique began her musical career as a teenager in Winnipeg, where she grew up singing in a wide variety of events, including the anthems at the NHL Winnipeg Jets games. In 1991, Monique released her first original single, “The Magic of Christmas,” which was well received by radio stations across Canada. In 1992, she directed and performed with a keyboard quartet that represented Canada at the Technics World Music Festival in London, England. After moving to Vancouver in 1993, Monique added jazz to her list of vocal styles and has since performed in the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, among many other gigs in that genre. In 2000 she released her first solo CD, All For You, featuring 11 original tracks written by Monique, producer/husband Michael Creber and arranger Robert Messier.  As a session singer, Monique has recorded backing vocals on albums for several Vancouver-based artists including Raffi, as well as material for the 2000 Grey Cup Half-time Show, many jingles and vocal tracks for the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show three years running. Monique’s vocals were recently featured on the soundtrack of an episode of the popular television drama The Collector, which later won several Leo Awards including Best Musical Score in a Dramatic Series.

Besides performing and her family, Monique currently divides her time between studio sessions, consulting, teaching and producing “The Magic of Christmas,” the annual benefit concert she created in Winnipeg in 1986 and moved to the West Coast in 1994. Since then the show has become a Vancouver institution, expanding from a small show at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre to a full-scale production celebrating its eleventh season this year. Over the past several years the show has raised more close to $40,000 for families in need throughout BC. Monique is honoured to share the stage with her husband Michael, her daughter Michelle, her sister Collette and the other wonderful and talented people who make up each year's cast and crew.