Founder / Musical Director, Heritage Singers, Toronto, ON. Born: Kingston, Jamaica.
Grace Lyons is the Founder and Musical Director of the Heritage Singers, a group founded in 1977. The group aims to promote the development of Caribbean folk music and theatre; use folk singing and dance as tools to bridge cultural gaps internationally; enhance, ethnic, historic and social traditions; and to share that heritage with the larger community.
Since its inception, the group has performed in Jamaica, the U.S., Netherlands, Taiwan, Germany, Mexico and Venezuela; produced recordings and videos; and been the subject of a CBC documentary. Partial proceeds from their performances have been donated to Ronald McDonald House, The Daily Bread Food Bank, Jamaican Community Association, Save the Children Canada and others.
Other: Grace has worked in the real estate industry for over 20 years and has received many awards marking her success; since 1997 she has achieved sales in the top 3% in Ontario.
Honours: Pacesetter Award presented by P.A.C.E (Canada), in recognition her dedicated service over the years to the advancement of early childhod education in Jamaica and Canada; Harry Jerome Award, Business (2002); Medal of Appreciation from the Prime Minister of Jamaica (2002); Woman of Excellence Award, Congress of Black Women, (2000). In real estate: Emerald Award (1999, 1997); Professionalism award, HomeLife Canada (1995); Gold Award Member (since 1988).
Education: Institute of Canadian Bankers, University of Toronto; Trinity School of Music; Royal School of Music; Ontario Real Estate Association.
Favourite quotes? “Life is a journey to be enjoyed and not a sentence to be served.” 2) “Success is when one works honestly and diligently and then some will call us lucky”.
Contact: The Lyon | Heritage Singers