"It was a wonderful accompaniment to the luncheon we received a number of compliments about Anne Marie's talents."
Hazel McCallion – Mayor of Mississauga
"When Anne Marie sits down at the grand piano and starts playing,
the dimly lit room becomes extra romantic."
The Toronto Star
"I have known Anne Marie for many years and have always found her to be the consummate professional. She has performed for 3 decades at one of Toronto's premier charity events, The Cardinal's Dinner, in addition to a number of other prestigious venues. Anne Marie's versatility, elegance and charming personality, combined with her sense of humour, greatly assist her in quickly reading any room and consistently allow her to create a fun atmosphere that readily involves all of the guests.
Any event Anne Marie hosts or participates in, be it a sing-along, cocktail party, formal dinner or "open mic" evening, is truly enhanced by her wonderful presence, vast repertoire and impeccable performance.
Anne Marie's extensive musical background provides her with the ability to play any request in any key and makes even the rank amateur performer join in the fun and feel like a skilled professional.
Should you engage her for your next occasion, I believe you will be truly delighted with the outcome."
Paul F. Langer – Senior Vice President: J.J. Barnicke Ltd.
"As the instrumental music teacher at The York School, I have had the privilege of working with Anne Marie over the past 13 years.
She has been invaluable to our programme as an accompanist, a musical coach and as a solo pianist. Perhaps the best part of working with
Anne Marie is her exemplary personal traits. She is dependable, generous with her time, sensitive to the students and staff, flexible and helpful in every way.
We are most fortunate to have Anne Marie work at The York School."
Nancy Bunyard – Head of Instrumental Music: The York School
"Several years ago as part of my duties as President of the Etobicoke Centennial Choir I served on the selection committee to choose a new accompanist. This proved easy as Anne Marie’s abilities far surpassed those of all other aspirants. In her role as accompanist her excellent ear for pitch was very helpful during rehearsals as she was able to subtly correct an off-pitch section.
As a guest soloist during our concerts, her versatility with classics or modern music received many standing ovations."
Joan Gingras – Past President: Etobicoke Centennial Choir
"Up until 1999, I enjoyed 30 wonderful years singing in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir under Elmer Iseler. Since then, I have been singing with Chorus Niagara under the direction of Robert Cooper.
During those times, I have had opportunities to observe the skills, strengths and weaknesses of dozens of keyboard accompanists.
Anne Marie as an accompanist is very skilled on both piano and organ.
If I were performing in a competition as a vocal soloist, Anne Marie is the person I would want playing for me."
Ruth Darling – Soprano: Chorus Niagara /
Formerly with The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
"On behalf of all the choir and the Board, I would like to thank you for the wonderful accompaniment you do for us every week.
Last night truly showed us what an extraordinary musician you are! With no more than a couple of hours notice you were able to pull off an excellent rehearsal, conducting and accompanying.
Thank you. We absolutely couldn't manage without you."
Lynda Sturgeoff – Oakville Choral Society
"Last evening's concert was truly an event worth attending … your playing was superb and we thoroughly enjoyed all of it."
Bob Horner – MP, Mississauga North
"It is rare to find a high level accompanist and vocal coach, such as Anne Marie is, who sight reads even the most difficult scores; plays by ear; coaches a singer to bring out the best in their voice and the music; is generous with their time and is, most importantly, at one with the singer and the music during a performance."
Carolyn Lykkemark – Performer, Voice and Piano Instructor
"As a vocalist, worship leader and instrumentalist I have had the joy of working and performing with Anne Marie Leonard on many occasions and in various settings. These include concerts, variety shows and worship services. Anne Marie is a brilliantly gifted musician, accompanist and music director. She is an exceptional sight reader. Her performance skills on piano and organ are extraordinary. In the emotionally layered contexts of worship and opera performance Anne Marie has a sensitivity of musical expression that demonstrates both her excellent interpretive skills and her technical prowess. As a singer I know Anne Marie to be gifted accompanist. She achieves a sense of unity with the performer that is both empowering to the soloist and a joy for the audience. As a choir and music director she is demanding yet affirming and able to adjust to the capacities of those she is leading. She brings out the best in the performers she works with. As a director she demonstrates musical vision and capacity to draw others into what she hears. In all my dealings with Anne Marie she has acted with a high degree of both personal and professional integrity and is also a pleasure to work with.
I am happy to offer Anne Marie my highest recommendation."
Rev. Robert Dalgleish
"Anne Marie has been an enormous help to us over the past six weeks. The St. Martin in the Woodlands Chorale benefited greatly from her playing and her input. I realize that it is not easy to jump mid-stream into a music program. However, she executed this with grace and finesse, even where we dropped something in her lap without any preview. Our varied program did not cause a flutter in her – 14th century latin chants, Bach, Rutter, Mel Torme, recent releases etc. Anne Marie's musical ability and professionalism were very much appreciated by myself and by our choir members, and we certainly hope that our paths cross again in the future. We thank her for helping is prepare our Christmas Concert programmes."
Fergus P. Egan
"Anne Marie has built a tremendous reputation with her colleagues and clients as a superb pianist, accompanist and music director.
She possesses exemplary musicianship skills and brings her remarkable artistry to every performance she participates in. She is truly a leader in the industry with a proven track record of success. Our relationship began close to three years ago when I had the pleasure of working with Anne Marie as my accompanist for my vocal recital. Her musical direction and superb accompanist skills added great value to my performance. Since that time our relationship has flourished and I continue to work with her as a vocalist and have recommended her to other singers and to colleagues in the events industry for corporate jobs."
Kerry Connelly – Vision | Co
"Not only does Anne Marie demonstrate excellent technical prowess, she is an extremely sensitive musician.
I would consider her one of the most formidable talents I have ever worked with."
Alan Reid – Singing Teacher and Performer
"I have always found Anne Marie to be professional, responsible and punctual. She has a great musical talent and always rises to the challenge."
Doug Wojick – President: Elephant Entertainment
"Anne Marie has more instruments in her fingers than an entire orchestra!"
Paula Wolfson – Musical Theatre Actor
"You are an extraordinarily talented musician, and we were lucky to have worked with you. I am amazed by your capabilities on the piano, and how you can play so many songs so easily without using any music! You really brought a new level of professionalism to our choir. Thank you for giving me the chance to sing many solos and for having confidence in me.
I wish you all the best in the future."
Nicole
"I just wanted to say thanks again for all of your help in preparing for the show, and for doing such a fabulous job on Friday night. When I listened to the recording I did of the music I really appreciated how incredible and inspired your playing was. I really learned a lot from the experience. Congratulations. We will have to do more."
Rob
"You have done a marvelous job this year with the music and the choirs.
Your knowledge, your talent, and your passion for things musical is incredible. I can't begin to list all the things that have gone well under your direction this year. I must, however mention the dark winter weeks of the "boutique choir" in which you transformed a humble few singers into a choir that was magnificent! Thank you for all the gifts that you have shared with the church.
Working with you has been the most pleasurable experience of my musical life."
Lorna
"I was so excited by yesterday's music, and pleased with my voice. So many compliments! I want to thank you for all of it. I never felt more in control of the range of the notes, and felt like I was soaring.
Thank you for all you have taught me, and for believing in me."
Aggie
"After a year of weekly lessons at a local music school, my daughter still could not read music. She was playing by memory and ear only, and was not enjoying her lessons. Anne Marie changed all that! Within a few weeks, Caroline was reading and playing Disney show tunes and composing her own little pieces.
Anne Marie's teaching methods enabled my daughter to really enjoy playing the piano for herself and others!"
Jacqueline Feely
