Originally trained as a pianist, Brenda started singing in her early 20s in an effort
to better connect to her songs and audiences. As a pianist, she has performed/recorded
with Donny McCaslin, the Numinous Ensemble, Dick Oatts, John Riley, Wycliffe
Gordon and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. In 2007, Brenda’s piano playing was recognized
when she made finalist at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Piano Competition.

Brenda has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Ravinia festival in Chicago, the
Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Toronto Jazz Festival and in clubs across the US and
Canada. In 2005, Brenda was invited to perform in New Zealand, where she headlined
sold out concerts in Wellington, New Plymouth and Wellington. A proud Canadian,
Brenda has featured her talents in clubs and festivals from coast to coast.

Brenda is a jazz artist who draws inspiration from a myriad of influences,
including songwriters Pete Yorn, Neil Finn and Elvis Costello, classical composers like
Brahms and Whitacre, rock radio and Brazilian music. As a composer, Brenda has
written hundreds of arrangements and compositions for choirs, small and large jazz
ensebles, brass quintet, string quartet and orchestra. An emerging artist with a diverse
palette of sounds, she is a leading voice in modern jazz.