Welcome to Grebel

“In 2004, when we started Orchestra@UWaterloo, we had a conductor, Erna Van Daele, and a concertmaster, new faculty member Romy Shioda, but really nothing else — no budget and no rehearsal space. Luckily, Catharine Scott, Associate Provost of Human Resources and Student Services, was willing to support me — a computer science prof with the unlikely ambition to manage an orchestra,” reflected Anna Lubiw, one of the professors who started Orchestra@UWaterloo. 

Transition is both a natural and challenging part of life, and it is something that PACS alumni Bonnie Klassen has become very familiar with. After 27 years living and working in Colombia, Bonnie recently moved back to Canada, bringing with her years of experience working towards justice and peace in a global context.

Bonnie’s PACS journey began in the 1990s. Short trips abroad in high school had sparked Bonnie’s interest in global learning experiences and motivated her to apply for the PACS internship program. Although Colombia was not at the top of her travel list, encouragement from a trusted family friend motivated Bonnie to take the leap and intern there. Supported by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), she spent the next 3 months working with an organization called Justapaz, an experience which she describes as pivotal in her life’s journey.

“I've never considered music as a serious option for me until I gave it a try,” Michael Wu reflected. Michael is a third-year Math student at the University of Waterloo who is actively involved in the Music program at Conrad Grebel University College and also lives at Grebel.  

Michael’s interest lies in vocal music, which is why he has immersed himself in all the choirs that Grebel offers: Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, and University Choir. He was also involved in the production of “Something Rotten!,” a musical put on by Grebel students two years ago. “I enjoy singing much more than just listening to music,” he explained. “Part of that is because I love creating music; when I sing my part and hear it blend perfectly with the other voices to form chords, it feels incredible. Singing those notes myself adds to that joy; it makes the experience even more fulfilling."