Meet the 2024 Judges
Gery Lemon
Councillor Lemon was elected to her first term on View Royal Council on October 20, 2018. She serves as chair to the Arts and Culture Committee for the Town's Committee of the Whole. She is the Town's representative to the Capital Region District's Arts Commission and is the Town's liaison to the Greater Victoria Public Library and View Royal Reading Centre.
She has volunteered her time and services as former communications chair of the Help Fill a Dream Foundation and in helping B.C.’s Seniors Advocate gather information about the living conditions of seniors in care.
“I am deeply interested in the interests and concerns that affect people where they live. That’s the beauty of local government. I’m honoured to serve the people of View Royal and look forward to engaging with residents.”
Karel Roessingh
Born in Leiden, Holland, raised in Calgary, Canada, Karel began his professional musical career in 1970. He studied jazz arranging and composition at Berklee College of Music and completed a degree in music and mathematics at the University of Victoria.
Karel has played throughout the world leading bands for Howie Mandel, Bob Newhart, and Ted Knight, played with Valdy, the Moody Blues, Powder Blues Band, Jan Arden, The Shirelles, and Leslie Gore, and opened for the Temptations.
Karel was musical director and keyboardist on Babes, Beasts and Birds by Pat Carfra, keyboardist and arranger on John Demers' My Backyard, and George Dixon's series of children's musical stories. He has also written a series of music for interactive toys made by Fisher Price. He has composed extensively for Television and film. He has produced more than sixteen of his own recordings, including several for the Canadian Naturescapes series and his new solo project, birdsong in the parkade.
Karel is in his sixth term as municipal councillor and has served two terms as mayor (1999 - 2005) in his home municipality, the District of Highlands. He is a founding member and director of the Island Biodiesel Co-op and serves on the CRD Arts Commission (and served a term as chair), the Greater Victoria Public Library board (also serving a term as chair), and as vice-chair of the CREST Board of Directors.
Hazel Bartlett-Sias
Born and raised in beautiful British Columbia, Hazel performed in more than 20 commercials before branching out into film and TV by the age of 10. Now, she is on a journey through musical theatre, high school drama, and improv as well as continuing filming. Select credits include The Good Doctor (ABC), Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix), The Chicken Sisters (Hallmark), The Hammer (Lifetime) and will be appearing in the third season of Invasion (Apple TV). Right now, Hazel is filming a feature film in Victoria, which is the reason why she could judge this amazing talent show! When she's not in front of a camera, you can find her practicing parkour or track and field. She is a big believer in following your passions, the power of emotions, and the joy of storytelling.
Cathie Blanchard
Cathie Blanchard is a board member of the View Royal Community Association and currently serves as Treasurer. She works diligently for the community, helping to ensure the VRCA Hall is available and functional for all members of our community to enjoy and benefit from.
Cathie volunteers in View Royal to ensure invasive weeds are removed from our public parks, and has spent 8 years giving her time and labour, helping to support and create awareness for the Emergency Support Services (ESS) who help people in need after disasters have impacted their home.
Cathie loves a road trip and is recently back from a drive out to Crazy Horse. She takes part in weekly line dancing classes, is a mother of two, and grandmother of three.
Meet your Host
Jessica Beach
Jessica Beach has spent the last two decades as an independent artist, working with globally renowned talent, releasing top 10 singles, touring across Canada, producing music videos, recording albums and showcasing in major festivals including; CMW, WCMA’s, Toronto Indie Music Awards, CCMA’s Country Crawl, Junofest and Reeperbahn.
As a songwriter, Jessica Beach is an active member of SOCAN and CARAS, with Artist support from FACTOR and Creative BC for her latest project, Joan Bessie.
As a music educator, Jessica works with students of all ages on voice and piano training, group singing, performance coaching and songwriting. www.playamusic.ca
Jessica is a current Mentor with Women in Music Canada and a member of the Board of Directors for the View Royal Community Association. She is also a parent of 3 school aged children in SD61.